March means one thing in Austin, and it’s time to get ready. The Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority announced yesterday that it will be extending its hours to accommodate the swarms of people descending on the city for the South by Southwest festival. The increased service will be available March 5 through 17. The highlights:
- MetroRapid will run until 2:30 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 12:30 a.m. on Sundays. Buses will run on a regular schedule until 12:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday. Night Owl buses will be available from midnight to 3 a.m., and they will run more frequently than usual. MetroAirport Route 100 runs every 30 minutes between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) and downtown, and it will run every 15 minutes on Sunday, March 18. One trip on MetroRapid/Night Owl/MetroAirport is $1.25.
- MetroRail will have extended service every day and will operate from 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with the last train at 2:30 a.m. on Saturdays and midnight on Sundays. One trip on MetroRail costs $3.50, and remember, the MetroRapid ticket vending machines only accept cash, stored value cards or an electronic change card previously issued by a ticket machine. However, riders can buy passes on the CapMetro App with credit or debit cards.
- Finally, downtown routes 4, 17, 21, 22, 100, 122 and 484 will be detoured during the festival. Riders can find out detour info at specific bus stops by scanning the QR codes posted there.
More information on trip planning and detours can be found at CapMetro.org and the GO Line (512-474-1200). The CapMetro App is also an easy way to purchase tickets and plan trips.