public transportation?? (Austin: apartment, living, buses) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

snoops · 07-18-2007, 05:11 PM

I will be moving to Austin from Boston in September. I do not have a car, which has never been a problem here. I know there are buses, but how convenient is transportation there really?

cdelena · 07-18-2007, 05:57 PM

98% of people in Texas use a car because there is substantial sprawl and public transportation in not very good. If you are selective about where you live and where and when you travel you can make it without a car but it will be far from convienient.

Trainwreck20 · 07-19-2007, 07:12 AM

It is quite possible (my brother hasn't had a car in 20 years or so in Austin), but you have to be very patient, and plan ahead....

another_hot-day · 07-19-2007, 08:11 AM

Very, very, VERY patient. Some busses only come once an hour, most come every 1/2 hour. Don't miss your bus!!

The public transpo here sucks.

twange · 07-19-2007, 08:40 AM

I was told by a long-timer that the buses were great but that they have low ridership. Looking at the routes, it seem to be a very extensive system. I know it's been mentioned before on this forum but Austin needs streetcars. Modern, attractive, efficient streetcars. Not more buses. People hate riding them. The large, powerful auto companies forced them upon us in the 1950s and then ripped out all of the awesome, useful streetcars...nationally. In fact when I was in Austin last week, I saw a street downtown that still had exposed track showing. I think that this has been one of the most disastrous decisions made in cities post WWII. Things will just get worse as cities grow...and grow they will.

This issue seems to be a very charged subject locally so I'll stop here

Trainwreck20 · 07-19-2007, 09:13 AM

I think there were also some liability issues with the streetcars...people were jumping on/off while they were moving (which is kind of the intent), but when someone got hurt, of course they sued

twange · 07-19-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I think there were also some liability issues with the streetcars...people were jumping on/off while they were moving (which is kind of the intent), but when someone got hurt, of course they sued

Of course they did

Ruin things for everybody.

jread · 07-19-2007, 10:22 AM

Streetcars would be fantastic. I would even go for the idea of monorails since they are raised above traffic and tend to go places a lot more quickly.

I think Austin has a decent bus system but we need more options. As for the original question, I think you could easily live in Austin without a car as long as you picked the right spot. The central city is very good for walking/biking and taking the bus, in my opinion.

twange · 07-19-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jread

I think Austin has a decent bus system but we need more options. As for the original question, I think you could easily live in Austin without a car as long as you picked the right spot. The central city is very good for walking/biking and taking the bus, in my opinion.

That was our thinking when looking for an apartment. We were willing to sacrifice modernity for location. Finding the balance that works financially is the trick.

My wife and I are going down to one car so biking/walking/busing will be the first choice for getting around and about.

ctmoving · 07-21-2007, 10:22 PM

I will be moving to Austin soon too. I can't wait!! It seems like a wonderful place. Anyway, the PT is not as good as us Yankees are used to. NYC and Boston has it beat any day. I did hear however, that they will be building a new train system soon and a new bus system will be going into affect. Will you be living downtown or the burbs? The only buses I saw last time I was there were UT buses. Still, it can only get better right???!!!!