CapMetro's new hubs let 48 electric buses charge overnight to double service time

Austin transit authority CapMetro opened two new park-and-ride facilities on October 23, 2026, that integrate overhead charging infrastructure for its electric bus fleet. The project supports the agency’s expansion of zero-emission transit services across the city.

The two new terminals, identified as Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center, began operations alongside the Rapid 800 and Rapid 837 routes. These locations were initially announced in June. The facilities provide passenger amenities and serve as endpoints for the electrified bus lines.

The charging network relies on infrastructure installed at CapMetro’s main bus depot by partner Camber Charging. The company supplied two 1,440 kW charging systems that connect to 48 industrial dispensers. This setup provides a total capacity of 2.9 MW, allowing the depot to charge up to 48 electric buses simultaneously during overnight hours.

Andy Skabowski, CapMetro’s Chief Operations Officer and Executive VP, stated that the on-route charging method increases the time buses remain in service. He noted that while a typical bus holds eight hours of charging, the new system extends this to 20 to 22 hours. Skabowski explained that the pantograph drops to charge the bus at the end of each run, enabling service intervals of 10 to 15 minutes.

The buses operating on these routes are built on the Xcelsior battery-electric platform manufactured by New Flyer. The vehicles produce up to 320 all-electric horsepower. New Flyer indicates the platform can offer up to 660 kWh of available battery capacity, although specific battery details for these units were not released. The full torque available at 0 rpm is designed to handle the stop-and-go traffic patterns in Austin.

Camber Charging manages the technical operations for all three charging locations. The provider handles preventive maintenance, charger software, energy management systems, and remote diagnostics for the network.