CapMetro, Camber Partner on ZEV Public Transportation in Austin, TX

CapMetro has officially expanded its rapid transit network with the opening of two new park-and-ride facilities and the full launch of Rapid 800 and Rapid 837 service in Austin, Texas.

The transit agency opened the Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center Park & Ride facilities on June 7, marking a major milestone in a project that began with the introduction of Rapid 800 and 837 in February 2025. Since then, CapMetro has been upgrading stations and completing infrastructure improvements to support expanded service.

Both Rapid lines now operate every 10 minutes during peak travel periods, providing faster and more frequent connections across the city.

The two new park-and-ride locations are designed to make public transportation more accessible by allowing riders to park once and travel throughout Austin using an integrated transit network.

Located in southeast Austin at the end of the Rapid 837 Pleasant Valley route, the Goodnight Ranch Park & Ride features 64 parking spaces, four bus bays equipped with overhead zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) electric bus charging stations, upgraded lighting, security cameras, pedestrian safety improvements, and enhanced landscaping and irrigation. Routes 318 and 333 will also terminate at the facility.

In northeast Austin, the Expo Center Park & Ride includes 159 parking spaces and eight bus bays with overhead electric bus charging stations, along with additional safety improvements. Routes 18, 233, and 337 will also serve the new location.

CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins said the ribbon cutting represented years of planning and collaboration across Central Texas.

“Today we cut the ribbon on something Central Texas has been working toward for years: full service on CapMetro Rapid 800 and 837. This milestone is about more than buses and infrastructure. It’s about keeping our promise to the communities we serve. Two new Park & Rides. Zero-emission vehicles. Solar-powered stations. Faster, more frequent service connecting East Austin to jobs, schools, and opportunities across the region.”

Watkins also thanked numerous partners, including CapMetro Board Chair Jeffrey Travillion Sr., Commissioner George Morales, Austin Transit Partnership, State Representative Lulu Flores, the U.S. Department of Transportation, City of Austin officials, and local utility and transportation agencies that contributed to the project.

She described the achievement as “a Project Connect promise kept.”

Chris Thorson of Camber Charging highlighted the extensive work required to deliver the electrification infrastructure behind the project.

“We’re extremely proud to be partnering with CapMetro to bring the Rapid 800 and 837 routes to life. While these new electrification projects flash in our consciousness for a moment, they don’t happen without the tireless planning, design, installation, and commissioning work that takes many months to deliver. Hats off to the entire CapMetro and Camber team for another commitment delivered,” said Thorson.

The project demonstrates how transit agencies are wisely combining zero-emission transportation, solar-powered infrastructure, and expanded public transit access to create a more sustainable, cost-saving and connected future for growing communities.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Clean Transportation and Clean Energy are Big Wins for Texas

Kudos to CapMetro, Camber, and all partners for this incredible, cost-saving, environmentally friendly ZEV public transportation project. This is an innovative, smart model for the rest of the country to follow.

Wind and Solar Served a Record 79% of Demand (and 76.9% of Supply) on the Afternoon of March 14

Canary Media reported that Texas continues to set impressive clean energy records, demonstrating how large scale investments in solar, wind, and battery storage are transforming the state’s electric grid. According to data from Grid Status, this spring brought a series of milestones that showcase the growing role renewable energy is playing in meeting electricity demand.

On March 13 at 7:30 p.m., battery storage systems delivered a record 10.4 gigawatts of electricity to the grid, supplying 20% of the state’s evening demand at that moment. This achievement highlights how energy storage is becoming an increasingly important tool for balancing electricity supply during periods of high consumption.

The following day, on March 14, wind and solar energy reached another milestone by supplying a record 79% of electricity demand and 76.9% of total supply during the afternoon hours. Combined with consistent nuclear generation, zero carbon energy sources reduced fossil fuel generation to just 13% of the energy mix for a five hour period in the middle of the day.

Texas also established new generation records during May. On May 13, solar facilities produced an unprecedented 34.4 gigawatts of electricity at 12:40 p.m. Just a few days later, on May 17, wind farms generated nearly 29 gigawatts at 11:50 p.m., setting another record. The highest combined renewable output occurred on May 14, when solar and wind together generated almost 48 gigawatts at 3:15 p.m.

These achievements occurred during the spring shoulder season when electricity demand is typically lower and some natural gas plants are temporarily offline for maintenance. The results offer a glimpse into how an energy system built around solar, wind, and battery storage can effectively work together. Solar generation peaks during the middle of the day, while wind energy often increases after sunset. Batteries then help bridge the gap by storing excess renewable electricity and delivering it back to the grid during evening demand peaks.

The success of Texas demonstrates that no single clean energy source needs to power the entire grid on its own. Instead, the combination of multiple technologies creates a balanced and resilient energy portfolio. Texas is showing how a diversified mix of solar, wind, battery storage, and nuclear energy can reduce reliance on fossil fuels while delivering abundant electricity to consumers. As battery deployments continue to grow, the state is positioning itself as a leading example of how renewable energy and energy storage can work together to build a more sustainable and reliable electric grid.