On February 8, 2025, The Parents’ Climate Community partnered with Movability on a weekend bus ride downtown. Our goal was to demystify the bus for new riders, and to show some of the family fun that could be had downtown without the stress and expense of driving and finding parking.
We got to chat with each other on the bus and on the walk over to Central Library, with free time afterwards to choose our own adventures. One family headed to Toy Joy after exploring the library. Another couple stopped off at an ACL Live event. My 9 yo and I got brunch, then on a whim decided to watch a matinee at Violet Crown. Overall, our family felt more spontaneous and open to our surroundings by choosing transit.
Missed the ride? Here’s our itinerary in case you want to try it out on your own:
How to get there:
- Download the CapMetro app to purchase tickets. Note: starting March 1st, you will be able to use your phone to purchase tickets directly, then Apple or Google Maps to map your bus route!
- Board MetroRapid 801 at Triangle Station (Stop ID 484) at 10:11 am (can park at the Triangle Park & Ride)
- Ride for 16 minutes, 8 stops Stop at Republic Square Station at 10:27 am
- Walk through 2nd street to The Austin Public Library (11-minute walk)
- Arrive at The Austin Public Library at 10:38 am
Plus, a few ideas of what to do with kids and teens on 2nd St.
At Republic Square…
And elsewhere downtown…
- Snap a photo with the Willie Nelson statue (310 W. 2nd St)
- Play old school arcade games at the Texas Toy Museum
- Explore Mexican and Latino art and community at the Mexic-Arte Museum
Other bus-centric resources:
- Carbon Cred app: incentives and prizes for ditching the car on Ozone Awareness Days, to keep everyone healthy
- Movability “School Pool” grants: bring carpooling to your school for the sake of kids’ clean air and climate
- ATX Kids’ Club: themed summer camps that explore Austin via CapMetro, teaching kids how to be lifelong bus riders