Getting to Round Rock and Austin will be easier and more affordable come September. Taylor Capital Area Rural Transportation System will be offering service on a new fixed route that leads from its Taylor station, 1103 W. Second St., to the Round Rock Transit Center and on to Metro Techridge and the EastSide Bus Plaza in Austin. From there, riders have a number of options for traveling around the area, including train, bus and other CARTS routes.
“We’re adding this new route to our interurban coach route, which are fixed routes,” said Community Engagement Director Dana Platt. “It’s going to be really inexpensive. Just $4 to get into Austin one-way, or $6 for a day pass to get there and back.”
For many vehicles, that’s less than the price of gas for the drive there. Platt said more information would be available soon, and riders will be able to see the routes and times on the CARTS website, RideCarts.com.
The new route is scheduled to launch Sept. 3, and Platt says the ride time from Taylor to Austin is expected to take about an hour and 10 minutes. At present there are four departure times planned for the route.
This is a fixed route service, so it is works differently than CARTS Country Bus or CARTS Now service.
The Country Bus service picks up riders at their homes outside of city limits and delivers them to nearby destinations for medical appointments, shopping or just getting out to visit friends. It can be pre-booked online or by phone 512-4787433. The cost is $4 one way, but as of June, passengers aged 60 and over ride free thanks to a partnership with the Capital Area Council of Governments, the Area Agency on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Capital Area.
For rides inside city limits, CARTS Now provides curb-to-curb transportation between any two points in town. Rides can be booked on the CARTS Now mobile app or by phone. The cost is $2 one way, or $1 for seniors age 65 or over.
