Operated for: Texas State University-San Marcos
Effective January 14, 2008

 

Austin Intercity Route Network

There are two routes serving the Austin-San Antonio corridor along IH 35, which collectively provide transportation to and from campus in San Marcos and between the two metropolitan communities. Tram service stops in Austin are linked in several locations to the Capital Metro bus system; Tram service links to the VIA bus system at the Randolph park-and-ride on the north side of San Antonio.

Route service opened to the general public in the fall of 2005; there are now a maximum of 12 service departures per day Monday through Thursday and 8 on Friday. Both this and the San Antonio service are open to the public and offer WiFi onboard which allow riders to use their computer while enroute to their destination; storage for oversized luggage; and bicycle racks to assist commuters who may have a few extra miles to go either before boarding or after leaving the Bobcat Tram Intercity service. Off-campus ticket locations have been added at HEB locations in San Marcos, New Braunfels and Kyle to make it easier for the general public to purchase ticket punch-cards.

 

Service Information:
Full Service is open to the general public and open any day that Texas State University–San Marcos is open for classes or final exams. Monday through Friday service was opened to the general public in the fall of 2005; service was expanded to San Antonio in the fall of 2006 with several connections between Austin and San Antonio each day. The Full Service Schedule runs Monday through Thursday and Friday on all university class and exam days; note that route 117 on Monday - Thursday is comprised of a North and South bus, with the North bus serving Highland Mall, Greyhound and Waterloo Park and the south bus serves Southpark Meadows and Kyle. A Reduced Service schedule will operate during additional non-class days Monday through Friday. If you have questions, please consult the detailed information links that follows for bus service times, or call our Info line at 512.245.2585. We look forward to serving you.

 

Bus Stop Locations:

Austin (link to Google map with Austin bus stop information and nearby Capital Metro service connections)

1. Highland Mall - at Capital Metro Stop on Highland Mall Blvd. @ Jonathan Dr. (North side of Highland mall parking lot).
   • General Growth Properties , (the operator of Highland Mall), has explicitly stated that they will tow commuter vehicles in their parking lot.
   • If you drive to this bus stop, you should seek alternate parking such as on-street parking available on Jonathan Dr.
2. Greyhound Station – Bus stops on Middle Fiskville Rd. between Highland Mall and Greyhound
3. Waterloo Park - On Trinity at 15th street at northwest corner of Waterloo Park by Capital Metro stop.
4. Slaughter Ln. and Congress Ave . - Bus merges onto southbound IH-35 service road and travels south of Slaughter Ln to the Southpark Meadows retail complex . Turns right into Southpark Meadows then right onto Congress Ave. and stops behind, (west side), of Whataburger.
   • Endeavor Real Estate , (the owner of this retail zone), has graciously allowed us to use their facility as a bus stop; parking is allowed west of Whataburger restaurant in the Southpark Meadows parking lot.
5. Kyle
   • Pisces Cafe (formerly Fonzie’z) in Kyle - Old HW 81 just north of South St.
6. San Marcos
• Bobcat Village (Off-campus drop-off point for inbound or southbound travel only)
• Sessom Dr. @ Peques St. (Inbound or southbound drop-off point for east campus)
• LBJ Student Center (Campus pick-up/drop-off point designed primarily for students)
• Mill St. @ Eastwood St. (Off campus pick-up point designed primarily for the general public)

Connections:

You may connect with Capital Metro buses in Austin at our Highland Mall, Waterloo Park or Greyhound stops; you are also a short walk away from their routes at our Slaughter Lane stop. Call their information line at 512.474.1200 or 800.474.1201 for specific route information or visit their web site.

If you have a flight connection out of Austin Bergstrom, you can transfer to Capital Metro’s Route 350 at our Highland Mall stop.

Need to get to the Austin Greyhound Bus Station from Kyle or at times of day not served at the San Marcos Station? It’s quick and easy. Let your driver know you’re traveling by Greyhound before departing Highland Mall and they will stop next to their bus station prior to leaving the Highland Mall complex.

All Intercity Connector buses are now open to the general public.  In addition to stops coming from Austin bringing students to campus, stops have been added in San Marcos and Kyle for persons traveling into Austin.  Once in Austin you can transfer to Capital Metro to get to your final destination.

 

Cost: Inexpensive travel that rivals the cost of gas alone in your personal car! One-way travel between San Marcos and San Antonio or San Marcos and Austin for a full-fare, (one circular punch on your punch card that removes a “bobcat head” profile). One way travel between Austin and Kyle; Kyle and San Marcos; San Marcos and New Braunfels; or New Braunfels and San Antonio for half-fare, (one crescent punch; two crescent punches are made to “void” each bobcat head).

Cash Fares:

• General Public full-fare: $5.00
• Texas State full-fare: $4.00

• General Public half-fare: $2.50
• Texas State half-fare: $2.00

Tickets: Save money and purchase tickets at any of our authorized distribution locations. Tickets are sold in a punch-card of ten one-way trips. Cards cost $32.50 for student, faculty and staff of Texas State, and $40.00 for the general public. These punch-card tickets are valid for all intercity service between Austin and San Antonio. Drivers do not sell tickets and do not make change for cash fares.

Purchase Locations:

Service Centers

641 East Hopkins Street

On Campus : LBJ student center information desk, (next to book store)

Intercity Tram Service Timetables - Quick Links

• Route Service between San Marcos and Austin (Monday - Friday)
• Note: Route 117 departs from San Marcos as 2 buses, (North & South)
  • North: Serves Highland Mall, Greyhound, & Waterloo Park
  • South: Serves Southpark Meadows and Kyle

Intercity Service Level Calendars

• Between Austin and San Marcos

Route Maps for Town and Intercity routes

• San Marcos to Austin corridor
• Austin Bus Stops (Google Map)

 

Buses operated by:

First Transit
222 Wonder World Drive
Phone: 754-8993

NOTICE REGARDING OFF-CAMPUS PARKING: Texas State DOES NOT PROVIDE PARKING AT OFF-CAMPUS LOCATIONS IN SAN MARCOS, KYLE, NEB BRAUNFELS, SAN ANTIONIO, OR AUSTIN. SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN THE AREAS AROUND SOME BUS STOPS WILL TOW UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES.  BE OBSERVANT OF ALL BUSINESS’ SIGNAGE REGARDING PARKING RESTRICTIONS.   

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