Capital Metro To Provide Free Bus Service Around Downtown For F1 Weekend

Updated: Monday, October 22 2012, 12:38 PM CDT

Capital Metro is expanding its service for Austin's Formula 1 Grand Prix in November.

From Nov. 15-19, the transportation agency will increase the frequency and extend hours on some services, will offer a free downtown circulator route and launch of the new Capital Metro More Mobile (M2) app that will turn a rider’s phone into a transit pass.

According to a Capital Metro news release, it will offer the following additional options to help riders:

• Increased frequency on MetroAirport – Route 100 will travel to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and downtown every 15 minutes from Nov. 15 – 19.

• Expanded hours on MetroRail – Hours will be expanded on Nov. 17, and for the first time, Sunday service will be offered on Nov. 18. The additional service is sponsored by Herzog Transit Services, Inc. and Capital Metro. During F1 weekend, trains will run:  Fri., Nov. 16: 6 a.m. – midnight. Sat., Nov. 17: 10 a.m. – midnight.Sun., Nov. 18: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  

• Free Downtown Loop – This free bus service will help riders get around downtown Nov. 16 – 18. The Downtown Loop will operate from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., every 15 minutes (may be delayed due to traffic). It will circle 15th St., San Jacinto, 7th St., Red River, Cesar Chavez and Lavaca on a continuous clockwise loop. The Downtown Loop is sponsored by Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Austin Hotel & Lodging Association, Community Impact Newspaper, New Flyer and Capital Metro. Map of route: keyetv.com/contests/upickem/images/map.jpg
  

• More Mobile App (M2) – With this free app, visitors can purchase multiple 1-Day or 7-Day Passes on their phones, use the trip planner to plan trips via transit, access route maps, learn about detours, and find other helpful F1 and city event information. The application will be available for download starting Oct. 31 in the App Store or Google Play, and can be used for mobile payments from Nov. 10 – 24. Capital Metro partnered with Bytemark to develop the free app.

Most downtown bus routes will be detoured. Learn about the changes on capmetro.org/f1, the M2 app, QR codes at bus stops and the GO Line at (512) 474-1200. Riders can also receive next-arrival times and trip directions by text message with Dadnab, and connect with Capital Metro staff on Facebook and Twitter (@CapMetroATX).
 
Capital Metro To Provide Free Bus Service Around Downtown For F1 Weekend