Live in the Mueller neighborhood? Some new transportation options are coming your way.

 

Starting on Monday, a free electric cab circulator will be operating on Mueller’s streets. It’s all part of the Electric Last Mile Project, a partnership between Capital Metro, Pecan Street, the Austin Transportation Department, Austin Energy, and Electric Cab of North America.

 

With funding from a $1 million grant from the US Department of Energy, the goal of the Electric Last Mile Project is to reduce emissions from our local transportation infrastructure, while increasing the use of public transportation here in Austin.

 

These electric cab circulators are already operating in the Domain (connecting residents, shoppers, and employees to the nearby MetroRail Kramer Station) and downtown (driving Austinites to and from the MetroRail Downtown Station).

 

How can I use the electric cabs? 

 

Utilizing the electric cab service is easy. All you have to do is download either the Electric Cab North America App on iTunes or Google Play (allows you to request the electric cabs on demand) or the Electric Last Mile App on iTunes or Google Play (allows you to request the electric cabs on demand, as well as do some larger trip planning, connecting your electric cab ride to other public transportation services). The cabs typically run along a regular route (which you can see in the maps below), but you can request that they pick you up or drop you off anywhere within the service area.

 

If you’re in the Mueller development…

 

The cabs will operate on a flex route (that roughly runs from the HEB, to the retail area along I-35, to Mueller Lake Park), but cabs can be requested on demand from anywhere in the Mueller neighborhood. The cabs will operate Monday through Friday from 7am to 8pm. Don’t have access to a smartphone? You can also hail a cab by calling or texting 956-752-8454.

 

The cabs run roughly from the Kramer Lane Station to the Domain. The cabs operate Monday through Friday from 7am to noon and from 3:15pm to 7:15pm. Don’t have access to a smartphone? You can also hail a cab by calling or texting 737-808-2619.

The cabs run roughly from the Austin Convention Center (and the MetroRail station) to Whole Foods. The cabs operate Monday through Friday from 1:45pm to 6:45pm. (Please note – starting on June 4th the afternoon hours will be eliminated and replaced with service from 7am to 11:30am). Don’t have access to a smartphone? You can also hail a cab by calling or texting 737-808-2738.

As of right now, all of these routes are being operated as part of a pilot program. Data will be collected and shared with other cities who are interested in implementing similar initiatives. The Electric Last Mile Project partners will also be looking at the data in order to determine how similar programs might be able to continue into the future and to investigate various funding models (for now, the shuttles are free to ride).

The Domain circulator will stop operating on July 24th and the downtown circulator will end September 8th. The Mueller circulator will run until December 21st.

 

Have you already used one of these shuttle services? You can give your feedback here and be entered to win a $25 gift card.