Austin Taxi and Ridesharing Companies

With New Year's Eve upon us, now is a great time to review Taxi Companies in #Austin and how they work.  We'll cover the commercial outfits companies as well as the newer ridesharing offerings, which are Lyft and Uber.  Prefer to take the bus or MetroRail?  Check out our post on Austin Public Transportation.  

Yellow Cab can be reached by calling 512-452-9999.  They also have an app called Hail a Cab which uses GPS to find the closest cab to you and allows you to book your cab in three taps, pay directly through the app, and track your cab in real-time.

Austin Cab Company can be reached at 512-478-2222 and is the oldest cab company in Austin.

Lone Star Cab provides several convenient ways to book a cab. You can call 512-836-4900, use their website, use the app Curb or text the pickup address to 512-831-4900.

Uber is one of the newest players in the Austin market.  Uber drivers are private citizens who agree to operate their cars essentially as cabs.  The service is called "ridesharing".  You can request a ride using the Uber app.  Beware that there is "Surge Pricing", meaning fares increase during inclement weather, rush hours, or popular events.  

Lyft is the other Ridesharing service in Austin and is booked using the Lyft app.  You can estimate your ride cost on their website.  

Looking for an apartment that's close to downtown so next year you can walk and not pay for transportation for the New Year's Eve Festivities?  Give Austin Apartment Specialists a call today at 512-241-1111.

Austin Public Transportation Overview

In Austin, our public transportation system isn't as great as somewhere like New York City, but we are working on it.  We have regular buses, Rapid Buses, and MetroRail, all run by Capital Metro.  Read on for an overview of Austin's public transportation system and how you can find out how to get from point A to B.  

MetroBus is the standard bus system that will take you all over Austin.  You can plan your route using their Trip Planner and pay your fare using their CapMetro App.  Then you just have to show your phone to the bus driver and go!  

Capital Metro also runs late night buses called Night Owls.  This buses run year round from midnight until 3 a.m. from Monday through Saturday to popular nighttime destinations.  Check out the schedule and plan how you can let 

CapMetro be your sober driver and prevent the hassle of trying to park downtown.

MetroRapid is a new addition to Capital Metro's offerings and can also be planned using the Trip Planner, the CapMetro App, Google Transit or by calling the GO line at 512-474-1200.  There are two routes on MetroRapid, 801 North Lamar/South Congress and Route 803 Burnet/South Lamar.  These buses run weekdays from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.  MetroRapid buses use special technology to allow them to catch more green lights to stay on schedule, and they use priority transit lanes within downtown.  The buses also have free wi-fi and fewer stops so you can get some work done while you get to your destination faster.

MetroRail can be planned by using the MetroRail schedules and map.  There are nine stations along the 32-mile line and all trains stop at each station.  There are Park and Ride lots where you can leave your car at the Leander, Lakeline, and Howard stations.  You can buy tickets using the CapMetro app, on Capital Metro's website, at the Transit Store, at Retail Outlets around Austin, or at the station.  

You can take your bike on all Capital Metro transit options, but the regulations vary with each type of transportation.  Be sure to read the rules on the pages for each method of getting around.

Need help finding an apartment on a transit route that will get you to work and play easily and quickly?  Give Austin Apartment Specialists South Austin a call today at (512) 912-8000. We know all the apartments and what transit routes they are on!

Keeping New Year's Resolutions

Sure Christmas isn't even here yet, but for the best chance at keeping your New Year's Resolutions, you should start planning now.  Gaiam has some tips for making New Year's Resolutions you can stick to.

First of all, make a realistic goal for your resolution.  Rather than saying you'll never eat a piece of chocolate again, aim to eat healthier. Maybe have that piece of chocolate once a week as a reward, rather than eating a whole candy bar daily.

Don't make your resolution as the ball drops on New Year's Eve.  Start putting the things into place now that you will need to be successful. 

Think through how you will resist temptation before it comes up.  Have lots of strategies on hand to put into action once your willpower starts weakening.

Talking about your resolution with friends will make you accountable.  If you can find someone else who shares your goal, even better.  That way you can keep each other on the straight and narrow.

Reward yourself as you reach goals with things that align with your resolution.  For example, if you lose ten pounds or attend spin class for 3 weeks in a row, buy some new workout gear rather than going out for ice cream.

Go easy on yourself when you backslide.  Everyone makes mistakes; learn from it and move on!

Stay with your new routines.  It takes about 3 weeks for something new to become a habit and 6 months for it to be internalized and become part of you.

Finally, keep it up!  If you find yourself faltering, just recommit for a day.  By doing that again and again, you soon will be back to achieving your goal.

Is your New Year's Resolution a new apartment?  Austin Apartment Specialists can help!  Call us at 512-241-1111. 

Rental Questions: Why Do Apartments Take My ID?

We are often asked why apartments take your driver's license or other identification before you tour an apartment.  There are a few reasons why they do this.

First, it's for the safety and security of the leasing agent.  In case anything happens, they want to be able to have evidence of who the agent was last with.  

Secondly, it is provides proof that the leasing office is complying with fair housing laws.  If they take an ID from one person, they have to take it from everyone who walks through the front door, regardless of age, color of skin, or gender.  

It's also included in the company policy of most major management companies because it reduces their liability across the board. 

Need help narrowing down your apartment search?  Have other questions about leasing?  Give Austin Apartment Specialists a call today at 512-912-8000 for free help finding a great new apartment and answering your rental questions!