Austin Carshare Alternative Transportation Guide

The average American spends nearly $8000/year owning a car. (Source: AAA, 2006)

This is money that could be used to buy a house, earn a degree, or invest in retirement. You can gain personal and financial freedom by embracing a multi-modal transportation strategy.

To help reduce your transportation costs and your oveall carbon footprint, Austin CarShare has put together the information below so you can develop an Alternative Transportation Package for your life. By using these transportation resources, you can live well and still get around reliably in Austin without owning a car.

Classes
Beginning in May, Austin CarShare will be holding the first of of an ongoing series of free classes on how to live well in Austin without owning a car.

We will look at the true cost of car ownership, see what that really means in dollars in your pocket, explore the alternatives to car ownership in Austin, and develop a transportation plan for you so you can live well car-free.

Living Well in Austin without Owning a Car Class
Monday, May 21
5:30- 7 PM
Austin History Center, Reception Room, 810 Guadalupe St

Seating is limited so you must RSVP to info@austincarshare.org to register for this free class.

Public Transit

Austin's public transit authority with bus routes citywide, commuter rail coming in 2008, Ride Share Program, and Special Transit Services for the disabled. Route times, route maps, and trip planning are available online or by calling the trip planner line at (512) 474-1200 or (800) 474-1201.
NEW: Google Transit- A great new resource that lets you type in your start point and destination and will generate a transit trip planner with bus route and approximate walking route to the beginning stop as well as from your end stop to your destination.
Fares
• 50¢, $1.00 for Express Bus Service
• 25¢ for students and children 6-12
• Free for UT students & staff, City of Austin staff, seniors, children under 6, and persons with disabilities
• All ‘Dillo routes are free
Half Price Card
• $5 ($10 worth of rides)
Bus Pass (Unlimited rides)
• $1 day pass, $10 monthly, $5 monthly for students
• Express Bus- $2 day pass, $17 monthly, $8.50 monthly for students
Special Transit Services
• 60¢, $15 monthly pass

Buy passes online or find the closest ticket outlet.

Carpool/Rideshare

Ride Share Program
Register Online or call 477-RIDE

Run by Capital Metro, the Ride Share program matches individuals with others wanting to carpool from the same area of town with a similar work destination. Capital Metro provides Ride Share vans or hybrid cars to the driver of each route. New routes require at least 5 riders.

Cost
$25 per month per participant.

Other Carpool Resources
Craig’s List- Listings of Austin area individuals looking to carpool and ride share.

Your Employer- Most large employers and many smaller employers have carpool resources and in some cases give wage bonuses to employees who carpool. Employers may also take advantage of tax credit and emissions credits (large employers only) for having employees carpool. Ask your boss, human resources, or fellow employees who are currently carpooling how to get matched up. More info at Commute Solutions.

Bicycling

Bike Maps
City of Austin produces bike route maps with color-coding for the level of safety and car traffic on each route. Maps are available at most bike shops as well as the City of Austin at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, 8th floor.


Weekly group rides as well as beginner rides once a month. Members can down route maps. Also, ACA holds bicycle safety classes throughout the year.

BicycleAustin.info
Local cyclists Michael Bluejay’s site with a focus on biking as transportation, not just recreation.
Includes resources like how to bike safely and commute by bike in Austin.

Paul Dorn’s Bike Commuting Tips
San Franciscan Paul Dorn has commuted by bike for over a decade and provides helpful information like how to pick the right bike, picking a safe route, and dealing with weather.

Taxi Services
The City of Austin sets the fares for all taxi drivers in Austin.
Fares
$2.00 for the first 1/4 mile, 25¢ for each 1/8 mile ($2.00/mile)
Waiting time $22.50 /hour.
Surcharges
Airport Origination: $1
Gas Surcharge: 10¢/mile

Austin Cab- (512) 478-2222 or austincab.com
Lone Star Cab- (512) 836-4900 or lonestarcabaustin.com
Yellow Cab- (512) 452-9999 yellowcabaustin.com