CARTS Now ride service expands north of Bastrop

The following article has been updated to reflect CARTS run times

CARTS Now, an on-demand transportation service, is now available in the neighborhoods of Camp Swift and the Colony. Riders may select pickup and drop-off destinations within Bastrop or its new extended zone of service.

Buses run 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. CARTS Now offers one-way, daily and monthly passes. Half-price rates apply for seniors over 65, those with disabilities and children under 12.

Residents can reserve a ride through the CARTS Now app or call 512-505-5666. Visit www.RideCARTS.com for further information.

CARTS offers a country bus available by reservation as well as a commuter service running from Smithville and Bastrop station to downtown Austin.

“What we're hoping is that with the on-demand focusing and getting bigger that it frees up our country bus to serve the more rural locations more often,” CARTS Community Engagement Director Dana Platt said.

Future expansions

Platt said there are plans to expand CARTS services to the rest of Tahitian Village. CARTS serves the Cedar Creek, Red Rocks and Rockne areas on Tuesdays and Fridays but is expected to further expand its services with CARTS Now.

“We're trying to see if we can make it to where we can expand the zone to a bigger zone and reach out to the unincorporated areas and subdivisions outside,” CARTS General Manager David Marsh said.

Did you know?

CARTS partners with various organizations within Bastrop to provide transportation to those in need.

“This community was located as a food desert, so it's really important for those people to be able to have access to transportation to get to the necessities that everybody else considers a basic need,” Platt said.