CapMetro Reduced Fare and Equifare 2026–27: Austin's Low-Income Bus Discount, the January 2027 Fare Increase and How to Sign Up
CapMetro is raising fares on January 10, 2027. It's the agency's first system-wide fare increase since 2015, and a second one follows in January 2029. At the same time, CapMetro is folding its low-income Equifare program into an expanded Reduced Fare program that now covers veterans and households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
If you ride the bus or train in Austin and money is tight, that change matters. Here's what you pay now, what you'll pay after January 10, who qualifies for the half-price fare, and how to get enrolled before the new prices start.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: CapMetro's Fares page, Equifare page, Fare Increase 2027 and 2029 page and Reduced Fare ID page, CapMetro's online Equifare enrollment form, and the HHS 2026 poverty guidelines. Dollar income limits marked "our estimate" are calculated from the HHS table.
The Short Version
Equifare ends January 10, 2027. Everyone enrolled moves into Reduced Fare automatically, with no new application and no gap.
Reduced Fare = 50% off standard fares. Starting January 10, it covers seniors 65+, Medicare card holders, active and reserve military ID holders not in uniform, riders with disabilities, veterans and households at or below 150% of poverty.
New Local fares (Jan. 10, 2027): $1.50 a ride standard, $0.75 reduced. Daily cap $3.00 standard, $1.50 reduced. Monthly cap $49.50 standard, $24.75 reduced.
Kids 18 and under ride free with a school ID.
Approval lasts 24 months, then you renew.
Help: CapMetro GO Line 512-474-1200. Transit Store, 1705 Guadalupe St., 512-389-7454.
What's Changing on January 10, 2027
CapMetro's board approved the fare change and the Reduced Fare updates on September 28, 2026. CapMetro says fares currently cover only about 4% of what it costs to run the system, compared with a 13 to 14% industry average, and that fuel, maintenance and operating costs have climbed since 2015.
Two things happen on January 10:
Prices go up for everyone, including reduced fares.
Equifare goes away and its riders move to Reduced Fare, which is a deeper discount than Equifare is today.
So if you're on Equifare now, your Local fare actually drops, from $1.00 a ride to $0.75.
Fare table: now, January 2027 and January 2029
Local covers Bus, Rapid, UT Shuttle and Pickup. Commuter covers all Local services plus Rail and Express.
| Fare | Now | Jan. 10, 2027 | Jan. 2029 | |---|---|---|---| | Local single ride | $1.25 | $1.50 | $2.00 | | Local day / month cap | $2.50 / $41.25 | $3.00 / $49.50 | $4.00 / $66.00 | | Local reduced single ride | $0.60 | $0.75 | $1.00 | | Local reduced day / month cap | $1.25 / $20.60 | $1.50 / $24.75 | $2.00 / $33.00 | | Commuter single ride | $3.50 | $4.00 | $5.00 | | Commuter reduced single ride | $1.75 | $2.00 | $2.50 | | Commuter reduced day / month cap | $3.50 / $48.10 | $4.00 / $55.00 | $5.00 / $68.75 | | CapMetro Access single / monthly | $1.75 / $46.50 | $2.25 / $60.00 | $3.25 / $87.00 |
For comparison, Equifare today costs $1.00 a ride, $2.00 a day and $33.00 a month on Local, and $3.00, $6.00 and $77.00 on Commuter.
Who Qualifies for Reduced Fare
Starting January 10, 2027, CapMetro lists these groups as eligible for the 50% discount:
Seniors 65 and older
Medicare card holders
Active and reserve duty military ID holders not in uniform (military personnel in uniform ride free)
Riders with disabilities, under CapMetro's eligibility guidelines
Veterans (new)
Households with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level (new)
CapMetro says no one currently enrolled loses a discount.
What 150% of poverty looks like
CapMetro didn't post a dollar table for the new 150% limit on the pages we read. Using the HHS 2026 poverty guidelines, 150% works out to roughly (our estimate):
1 person: $23,940 a year
2 people: $32,460
3 people: $40,980
4 people: $49,500
Confirm with CapMetro when you apply.
Today's Equifare rules, for comparison
Until January 10, Equifare is open to households below 200% of poverty or riders enrolled in a qualifying social services program. That's a wider income limit than the new Reduced Fare cutoff. CapMetro's enrollment form, based on 2026 guidelines, lists the 200% limit as $88,720 for six people, $100,080 for seven and $111,440 for eight. For smaller households, 200% works out to about $31,920 for one person and $66,000 for four (our estimate from the HHS table).
If you're between 150% and 200% of poverty, consider applying for Equifare before January 10. CapMetro says everyone enrolled in Equifare moves to Reduced Fare automatically. The agency didn't say whether that applies to people who sign up in the final weeks, so ask the GO Line to confirm.
How to Apply
Equifare (until January 10, 2027)
You'll need a Umo app account or a CapMetro Reloadable Fare Card first. CapMetro says older physical cards are no longer accepted. The Reloadable Fare Card is free and available at the Transit Store or participating H-E-B stores.
Then fill out the online enrollment form. CapMetro says it takes about 15 minutes. You'll choose one of two ways to verify:
Self-certify your income. You won't need to upload anything now, but CapMetro may audit you later and ask for proof.
Upload proof of income or program enrollment, such as an EBT card, a Social Security award letter, a pay stub or a tax return. CapMetro says riders who send proof up front won't be picked for an audit.
Self-employed or no income? The form lets you agree to submit a Personal Income Declaration if asked.
Expect a confirmation email in 4 to 6 business days. If you don't hear back, email Equifare@capmetro.org or call 512-474-1200. Paper applications are available at the Transit Store, and staff can help by phone.
Reduced Fare ID card
The Reduced Fare ID (RFID) card costs $3 and is good for 2 years. You show it to the operator or conductor, then pay with cash, Tap to Pay, the Umo app or a Reloadable Fare Card.
Online: for seniors, Medicare card holders, students 18 and under, and active military only.
In person: pick up an application at the Transit Store. Bring a valid government-issued ID, Texas photo ID or driver's license.
By mail: call 512-389-7475 and ask for an application.
Riders with disabilities: must use the printed disability application. CapMetro says a digital version isn't allowed. A large-print version is available.
Replacement cards cost $3 for the first two and $6 for the third. To renew, stop by the Transit Store weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for a new photo, no appointment needed. Seniors, Medicare card holders, students and military can renew online.
CapMetro says the expanded Reduced Fare program will take applications online or in person at the Transit Store. The RFID page's eligibility list hadn't been updated for veterans and income-qualified riders when we checked, so call before you go.
Get the Most Out of Fare Capping
Fare capping means you never pay more than a day or month pass, even if you pay ride by ride.
After you pay for 2 rides in a service day (4 a.m. to 3:59 a.m.), the rest of that day is free.
Once you hit the daily cap 17 times in a calendar month, the rest of the month is free.
Umo app and the Reloadable Fare Card give you daily and monthly capping. Tap to Pay with a bank card or phone gives you daily capping only, and it works only on the bus.
Pick one method. The app and the card each track their own cap.
Cash still works for a single ride, but it doesn't count toward a cap and doesn't apply your discount automatically.
CapMetro is also removing ticket vending machines from bus stations and transit centers, leaving one machine at each Rail station. If you've been buying paper passes, switch to the app or a card before January.
Free Rides and Other Options
Kids 18 and under ride free with a school ID. Students can get a CapMetro Student ID at the Transit Store.
Military and emergency personnel in uniform ride free.
UT, ACC and City of Austin pass agreements stay in place, according to CapMetro.
CapMetro Access is door-to-door paratransit for registered riders with disabilities. Eligibility is handled separately.
Pickup is CapMetro's on-demand service in select neighborhoods, and it gains daily and monthly capping with the 2027 change.
Quick Checklist
Get a Reloadable Fare Card or the Umo app. It's required for Equifare and needed for monthly capping.
Low income? Apply for Equifare now, or for Reduced Fare after January 10.
65+, on Medicare, a veteran or disabled? Apply for Reduced Fare.
Keep proof handy: EBT, award letter, pay stub or tax return.
Mark your calendar to renew in 24 months.
What we couldn't confirm: CapMetro hasn't posted a dollar table or a required-document list for the new 150% income tier, or how veterans will prove eligibility. The Equifare form's full income table only showed limits for six to eight people, so the smaller-household figures are our estimates from HHS. The list of qualifying social service programs didn't display. CapMetro Access eligibility rules weren't reviewed.
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