ACL Fest is the perfect time to ditch the car and seek an alternate (energy) route.
Simpson Kalisher
As ACL approaches, you probably have loads of friends making their way into Austin. If you’re like me, you’re scrambling to make housing accommodations for everyone, and of course, figure out how you’re going to actually get to Zilker Park. I’d like to offer you a ride aboard the city’s most voguish mode of transit: The Capital Metro System!
I know what you’re thinking: Only hobos, dirty trannies, and crazy people ride the bus. Not so. The bus system is quickly becoming a scene for ta new breed of elite. Nothing screams “I’m smart and care about my planet” more than being seen on Capital Metro. Become a member of the poorgeoise, and hop on a bus this weekend!
This past weekend on a visit to San Franisco, I was moved to ride our Metro more. Not only are most vehicles sustainably powered and extraordinarily efficient in SF, but they’re sooooo stylish. On my first Muni trip I saw the most glamorous woman step onto the bus. She was wearing a classic black dress, fabulous shades and diamonds. Her beautiful, grey hair and graceful posture would make anyone think, “OMG, her limo must have broken down!”
But no, she was not only willfully riding the crowded bus, she also proficiently directed some lost tourists to the proper bus routes to get to their destination.
My point is simply that the bus is nothing to be embarrassed of. It’s simply the smartest way to travel. I mean, who doesn’t like to be driven around town by someone else? You get to catch up on your reading, call your friends and family, people watch, sit back and relax-all while getting from point A to point B.
There’s no better time than ACL weekend to begin developing good habits! Ride the Metro to Zilker Park. The bus system is mostly punctual, and you can plan out your day using Google Maps public transit option!
Or you can eliminate the oil all together, beat the traffic and ride a bike!
Also, see ACL’s Rock & Recycle page or last year’s tips on how to have a green festival.
Remember riding the bus is beautiful. I’ll leave you a few borrowed photos of SF’s MUNI and BART: Viola!
Brad Evans of Citysnaps
Brad Evans of City Snaps
Paul Burd of Highly Subjective
Lily Gahagan
openorigins.com
Related posts:
- 9 tips to crashing ACL Fest 2010 like a pro. Guest blogger Zack Teibloom from FestivalCrashers.com gives you the scoop...
- Is the ACL Fest 2010 line-up too alt? Chris takes a look at the line-up to find out...
- Rooftop Sledding and 9 Other Ways to Make Austin A Giant Playground The City of Austin is calling on Austinites for help...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
I would love to take the bus to ACL, but it stops running at 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday. I wish Cap Metro would extend its hours for special events like this.
Hi Dona:
Thanks for stopping by.
Do they really stop running at 9PM? That’s insane! I hate CapMetro-that’s why I always bike!
(Ari, don’t hate me!)
According to the Cap Metro site (http://www.capmetro.org/aclfest/), they’re extending their hours through 11 PM for the festival, which is still a little early for my test, but better than 9 o’clock!
Most of our regular routes run until about midnight, but we also have six Night Owl routes that run until 3am.
Thanks, Ari. We appreciate you getting the word out about riding the bus to ACL.
I also love San Fran’s transit system, between Bart, Muni and the trolleys you never need a car. Hopefully, one day our system will be as robust as theirs.
Hey Misty! Thanks for clarification!!