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AARP AARP States Texas Livable Communities

One Austin Woman’s Mantra: Don’t Be A Shut In, Ride the Bus

Austin is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the nation, with a population of more than 930,000. Like other Texas cities, it’s car-focused, which means frequently long commutes and roadway congestion.

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Pat Thomas (center) and Austin-area volunteers receive a "Roll & Stroll Day" proclamation at Austin City Hall.



Despite the daily traffic messes, public transit ridership has not increased significantly in recent years. Though it offers a robust transportation network of more than 360 buses, 82 bus routes, 220 vanpools, 171 paratransit vehicles, and a 32-mile rail line, Capital Metro passenger numbers are mostly stagnant, with ridership levels about the same as they were five years ago.

One Austin woman is on a mission to improve ridership, at least among older passengers.

Pat Thomas, a 77-year-old AARP volunteer, has a passion for encouraging seniors to use public transportation. She’s so committed to and successful with the cause that Mayor Steve Adler and the Austin City Council recognized her volunteerism during a City Hall event in early December. In fact, December 3  was named “Roll & Stroll Day” in Austin in her honor.

More than 18 months ago, Thomas, with the help of AARP Texas staff, organized the first of what would become a series of free-to-attend Roll & Stroll transit trainings. They’re about empowering older adults to be active and to see what Austin has to offer without being bound by transportation difficulties or financial constraints.

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Pat Thomas (pointing) instructs Capital Metro passengers on transit schedules.



Riding the bus can bring riders to places and things that might otherwise be impossible see. In one outing, Thomas led a group to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum near Zilker Park. Many of the riders that day had never before been to the garden and were excited by the adventure. By becoming more comfortable with paper maps, smartphone apps for bus-riding, and taking advantage of the amenities for people with physical limits, Thomas said the journey was a breeze.

Thomas came up with the idea of Roll & Stroll when she realized how much easier it is to ride the bus than to drive in Austin. She lives in south Austin and has friends on the north side of the city. These days, she relies on CapMetro to avoid the mental stress of traffic. “Austin is not going to get any smaller and I’m not going to get any younger,” she said.

Thomas likes to remind folks of just how affordable and easy it is to ride the bus. A day pass is $2.50 -- or just $1.25 for those with a CapMetro-issued Reduced Fare ID card. Among others, the card is available to seniors 65 and older, Medicare card holders, and riders with eligible disabilities.

How do you avoid becoming a shut in? Thomas says: “Ride the bus. It’s easier than you think.”

-- Callie Jones and Mark Hollis

 

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