AUSTIN, Texas — After an evening enjoying Austin's nightlife, it would be a great idea to find someone to help you home.
Here's a list of options and tips to get you home safe and sound.
Cab Companies:
- Yellow Cab – (512) 452-9999 or download the zTrip app on their website.
- Lone Star Cab Company – (512) 836-4900 or email.
- Electric Cab of Austin – Download the Electric Cab app for Android or Apple.
- Austin Express Cab – (512) 666-4141 or on their online contact form.
Cab Tips:
- A good thing to know is whether a cab is vacant or not. Roof light lit? Not occupied. Light not on? Occupied or off duty.
- What's the worst time to try and get a cab? Right when you want to leave, or right when the bars close. If it's late and there's a two-hour wait just to get home, use an e-hail app like Uber or Lyft.
- If you have your wits about you, try and make the call before the bars close, unless you want to vie with hundreds of others at the same time to get home.
- Even sneakier, there are taxi-finding apps. Try Curb or TaxiFinder.
Rideshare Apps:
Several ride-share companies operate in and around Austin.
- Uber finds your exact location via GPS, and lets you choose the closest driver.
- Lyft users can request a ride by tapping a button and they come to where you are.
- Ride Austin is a nonprofit that launched in Austin after Uber and Lyft halted service in May 2016. It continues to serve Austin and surrounding areas.
- zTrip operates taxis and black cars in the Austin area.
- Wingz was previously limited to rides to and from ABIA, but was recently granted permission to operate on a wider scale.
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Rideshare Tips:
- Check your ride before you get into a vehicle by matching the license plate, car make and model, and driver photo with what's provided on the app.
- Call a friend while riding home or use the pool feature so you are not riding alone.
- Set your drop-off location to a nearby destination like curbside, so the driver doesn't know where you live.
- Ride in the back, especially if you are riding alone. This helps ensure you can safely exit on either side of the vehicle to avoid moving traffic.
- The Noonlight app gives you access to trigger an alarm and can send your location and information to local police, fire or EMS responders. It also connects to smart devices to monitor safety. The Circle of 6 app makes it quick and easy to reach six people you choose, all with two taps.
Pedicab:
- Capital Pedicab: (512) 448-2227
- Roadkill Pedicab: (512) 300-3784
What's this pedicab business? Go here to learn more.
Or…take the rail
Go here for the general Capital Metro schedule for information about bus, rail and shuttle schedules.
You can toggle through the schedules in those links to adjust the schedule if you're traveling on a weekday or weekend.
If you're completely out of luck, take the rail. It goes later on the weekends. So, depending on your location, this might be your best bet.
Go here for more transportation options from the City of Austin.
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