The final step for new travel options in and around Round Rock will go before the Capital Metro board of directors for a vote March 27.

Pending approval, a new bus stop will be added to Austin Community College Round Rock’s campus starting Aug. 7. The ACC board of trustees approved the measure March 13, and the Round Rock City Council voted March 23 to approve a five-year agreement to manage the transit service with Capital Metro serving as the primary operator.

Route 50 and 51 would make a stop at the ACC Round Rock Campus. The route already connects the campus with the Howard Rail Station and will run from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Route 52 offers limited-stop service, providing a fast connection between major employers and regional transit hubs. Route 52 will operate with limited hours Monday-Friday. Route 980 express will utilize the Mopac managed lanes to downtown Austin, limited hours Monday-Friday.

“We are excited to welcome Capital Metro to Round Rock,” Mayor Alan McGraw said in a statement. “Partnering with Capital Metro allows our residents the ability to move in and around Round Rock, especially those that really depend on assistance with transportation. It also gives our daily commuter to Austin another alternative to reach other Austin stations and to get downtown—and to get off IH 35.”

A transit master plan was completed last year as a blueprint for improving local mobility and regional connectivity over the next 10 years.

After several meetings and surveys, routes were developed consistent with community needs.

“We always want to better serve our customers by strengthening service whenever we have the opportunity to do so,” Director of Transportation Services Gary Hudder said in a release. “These new routes will go a long way toward providing better service to our residents, and fast and reliable bus connection between Round Rock and Austin.

The city of Round Rock in its release said the fares are consistent with Capital Metro’s system and no new property taxes are being levied to pay for the additional transit service.

Round Rock will fund $500,000 and the Federal Transit Administration $400,000 toward the $873,000 contract. While the agreement is for five years, the first year will determine if there is adequate demand for the service.