CoTA unveils transportation plan for 2013 F1 US Grand Prix

[NickHolt]

Circuit of The Americas enhances transportation plan for 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX

 

- New Park + Ride locations bring fans closer to venue, reduce shuttle bus times

- Downtown shuttles to carry race fans from Austin Convention Center to COTA for only $5

- Limited on-site parking still available for purchase

- Internal shuttles to run continuously on west and south sides of track

- ADA shuttles positioned around venue to assist guests with mobility issues

 

AUSTIN, Texas (October 25, 2013) - Circuit of The Americas (COTA) today released details of the venue’s transportation plan for the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX. The plan includes customer-friendly updates, including a downtown shuttle bus circular, originating at the Austin Convention Center that will drop guests at COTA for only $5 per person, plus two new Park + Ride locations within three miles of the racetrack property.

 

NEW, CLOSER PARK + RIDE LOCATIONS

 

The new Park + Ride lots are located along FM 973 and FM 812, approximately three miles from the track. Patrons may park their vehicles in these lots and ride free shuttle buses to COTA each day of the three-day event (Nov. 15-17). Park + Ride passes are on sale now at www.circuitoftheamericas.com/f1 and cost $20 per vehicle for a three-day pass or $10 per vehicle if you buy each day individually (advance-purchase or at the lot). Here are the two Park + Ride locations:

 

 

Park + Ride lots will open at 7 a.m. CT daily, and shuttle buses from those lots will drop patrons at COTA’s shuttle bus depots on McAngus Road, just one-half mile from COTA’s Grand Plaza entrance.

 

DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE TO COTA FOR ONLY $5

 

This year, COTA is offering round-trip shuttle service from the Austin Convention Center downtown to the racetrack and back for only $5 per person, per day. Race goers staying in downtown hotels are encouraged to leave their vehicles parked in the downtown area, walk to the Austin Convention Center, and take advantage of the inexpensive round-trip shuttle to COTA. Downtown shuttles will drop passengers at COTA’s shuttle bus depot on McAngus Road, just one-half mile from COTA’s Grand Plaza entrance.

 

NOTE: The Austin Convention Center is not a Park + Ride location, and there will be no designated parking areas for patrons at the Austin Convention Center. Consequently, race fans should be prepared to park elsewhere in the downtown area and then walk to the Austin Convention Center to pick up A shuttle to COTA. Again, the cost per person is $5 per day.

 

ON-SITE PARKING AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

 

COTA has 13 on-site parking lots available for patrons interested in parking at the venue. A limited number of three-day and single-day on-site parking passes still available for purchase at www.circuitoftheamericas.com/f1. The cost for a three-day on-site parking pass is $200, while single-day on-site parking passes can be purchased in advance for $50 per vehicle on Friday and $100 per vehicle on Saturday and Sunday. Guests are encouraged to purchase parking based on the available lot closest to their seating area. On-site parking lots will open to the public at 7 a.m. CT during the race weekend. Guests who purchase on-site parking passes will receive specific instructions for how to access their assigned parking lots during Grand Prix weekend.

 

TAXIS, LIMOUSINES, CHARTER BUSES AND BICYCLES

 

Taxis, limousines, charter bus and hire-car services with the proper permits can transport ticketed customers to COTA. Designated routes will be assigned to each for-hire vendor. Taxis will stage in a designated taxi pick-up area and will be available to transport race fans off site throughout Grand Prix weekend. Given the additional tourists in town for the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX and the University of Texas football game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16, taxis are also a good option for race fans staying in the downtown area to access COTA.

 

Cyclists will have a designated route from the downtown area along Burleson Road to a Valet Park + Ride location at Richard Moya Park (on Burleson Road at Emma Browning Ave.). From the Valet Park + Ride location, cyclists can take a free shuttle to the Circuit. There will be complimentary showers available at the Valet Park + Ride for cyclists.

 

COTA INTERNAL SHUTTLES AND ADA ASSISTANCE

 

COTA will run internal shuttle buses on two sides of the venue to help transports guests, staff and working media. One shuttle will run a continuous circuit along the outer service road on the west side of the venue, from the Grand Plaza to Turn 11 and back, while a second will do the same on the south side of the venue, from Turn 1 to the Main Grandstand to the Grand Plaza and back. Internal shuttles will have designated pick-up/drop-off points to transport guests who prefer not to walk to seating areas or points of interest around COTA. Internal shuttles will not be available on the east side of COTA (Turns 2-10) in order to keep the outer service road there open for emergency and service vehicles.

 

Additionally, COTA Guest Services representatives in designated ADA Golf Carts will be stationed in on-site parking lots and at shuttle bus depots to assist guests with mobility and accessibility issues. COTA’s ADA shuttles will transfer ADA guests to and from their seating areas throughout F1™ race weekend.

 

LESSONS LEARNED FROM 2012 FORMULA 1™ EVENT

 

COTA’S 2013 F1 transportation plan is fully accessible and incorporates key customer feedback and takeaways from the facility’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2012. Moving Park + Ride locations closer to the track has decreased transport times for Park + Ride guests and allowed COTA to significantly reduce the number of shuttle buses needed for the weekend. Approximately 300 shuttle buses rented from organizations in surrounding cities will be utilized during this year as opposed to the nearly 500 buses that were required last year when Park + Ride locations were further from the track.

 

Should heavy rains make any of COTA’s Park + Ride and on-site parking lots unusable, patrons will be directed to park at the Travis County Expo Center in northeast Travis County and will be shuttled to the track from that location. In the event of inclement weather, COTA will notify patrons about alternative parking plans in advance of each day’s activities.

 

“Our team of experts in conjunction with City, County and State public safety and transportation officials put together an exceptional transportation and traffic-management plan for our first Formula 1 event, and we learned a lot last year,” COTA Chief Executive Officer Steve Sexton said. “We’ve made refinements to this year’s plan that will improve the customer experience by offering a free downtown shuttle for guests and by shortening the amount of time it takes to get to and from the venue for those who chose to drive themselves.

 

“It is still important for race fans and individuals working the F1 event to follow the access guidelines we’re providing, to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and to be mindful of items that cannot be carried into Circuit of The Americas. We look forward to seeing this new plan in action and to welcoming sports and entertainment enthusiasts from around the world back to Austin this November for another exciting Grand Prix.”

 

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES FOR GUESTS

 

Circuit of The Americas and local transportation and public safety officials are recommending these general guidelines for guests attending the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX:

 

- If you are staying in the downtown area, take advantage of the free shuttle to COTA from the Austin Convention Center or take taxis or hire-car services to the track;

- Carpool when possible to COTA and to shuttle stop locations;

- Check the weather forecast before leaving your accommodations and dress and plan accordingly;

- Head to COTA early to avoid any traffic congestion that may develop;

- Do not bring prohibited items on shuttle buses; there will be no place to store them at the COTA’s entry gates. A list of prohibited items is available at http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/prohibited-items.

- Individuals with an on-site parking pass should follow the specific driving directions and recommended routes that will be printed on their parking passes in order to enter the Circuit;(Ple ase follow printing directions rather than GPS-identified routes.)

- Expect traffic delays and anticipate congestion where it normally occurs on I-35, on Highway 183, on Highway 71/290 between I-35 and SH 130, on main arteries leading downtown, and in the downtown area;

- Plan to spend the day at the COTA; there will be lots to see and experience, including FREE concerts at the Austin360 Amphitheater after qualifying sessions Saturday and after the F1 race Sunday and a FREE post-race track walk on Sunday; and

- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

 

Tickets for the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX start at $49 and are available at www.circuitoftheamericas.com/f1. This year, guests may choose to buy three-day passes or single-day tickets, and tickets will be sold each day of the event at COTA’s Grand Plaza Ticket Office.

[NickHolt]

Capital Metro Finalizes Plans for Formula 1’s Return to Austin

 

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 1, 2013) – With racing fans from around the world preparing to return to Austin for the United States Grand Prix, Capital Metro has finalized its 2013 Formula 1 plans in preparation for the thousands of additional visitors expected to the city.

 

Back by popular demand, Capital Metro will offer expanded MetroRail service during Formula 1 weekend. The additional service is sponsored by Herzog Transit Services, Inc. and Capital Metro. During F1 weekend, MetroRail trains will operate:

 

· Friday, Nov. 15: 6 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Saturday morning)

· Saturday, Nov. 16: 8 a.m. – Midnight (Service to all stations except Leander)

· Sunday, Nov. 17: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Service to all stations except Leander)

 

MetroRail’s route is divided into two fare zones. A trip costs $1 within one zone, or $2.75 if you cross the fare zone boundary between Howard and Kramer stations.

 

Riders can buy a MetroRail pass at ticket vending machines located on station platforms, or at the Transit Store, open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

MetroRail’s Downtown Station is easily accessible at 4th and Trinity Streets. Park & Ride lots are available at the Leander, Lakeline and Howard Stations. Parking at Kramer Station is located a short distance from the platform at 2540 Brockton Drive.

 

“We’ve spent months working with the city, event organizers and other key stakeholders to make sure we’re ready. The feedback we received from our customers and partners led us to once again provide expanded MetroRail service during Formula 1 weekend,” said Linda Watson, Capital Metro President/CEO.

 

“Race fans will be able to take the Red Line downtown and hop a nearby Circuit of the Americas shuttle bus in plenty of time for all the festivities” she said.

 

In addition to the expanded MetroRail service, Capital Metro will be offering other transit options during F1 weekend:

 

Local Bus Service

 

Capital Metro offers over 80 different bus routes throughout the Central Texas area. Single Ride and Day Passes are available for purchase onboard buses or at the Transit Store. During F1 weekend, Congress, Guadalupe and Lavaca will remain open, and the majority of buses will remain on their regular routes. Bus routes 3, 17, 21, 111, 171, 970, 982 and 983 will have minor detours related to these closures.

 

MetroAiport Service

MetroAirport will operate its regular service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and downtown Austin at 30 minute intervals, from early in the morning until late at night for just $1.

 

Late Night Service

For race fans planning to be out late during F1 weekend, Capital Metro will offer its regular Night Owl service that runs from midnight until 3 a.m. Cost is $1 for a single ride or $2 for 24 hours of unlimited rides. UT students ride free with valid school ID and ACC students ride with the Green Pass.

 

Additionally, E-Bus service will operate its regular schedule Thursday through Saturday night from approximately 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. via routes 410 West Campus, 411 Riverside and 412 Main Campus. The cost to ride is $1.

 

In addition to expanded MetroRail service, Capital Metro will also be ready to get thousands of Longhorns fans to the University of Texas football game on Saturday, Nov. 16. Football fans will be able to catch a ride to the game using Route 7 Duval/Dove Springs or 10 South First/Red River. The following bus routes will be detoured: 7, 10, 18, 20, 37, 100 and 412. Complete UT football detour information is available here.

 

Capital Metro offers a wealth of tools to help riders get around, including its trip planner, maps and QR codes at bus stops. More information can also be found on the website at capmetro.org or by calling the GO Line at (512) 474-1200.

 

A special Formula 1 section on the Capital Metro website has been set up here.

 

“We know traffic will again be a challenge for race and football fans,” said Watson, “but Capital Metro will be ready and able to get people to all the Formula 1 festivities and out to UT for Saturday’s game.”

 

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ABOUT CAPITAL METRO

Capital Metro connects people, jobs and communities by providing high-quality and sustainable transportation choices to Central Texans. Capital Metro provides an average of 110,000 rides each weekday—enough to fill Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and Disch-Falk Field combined—onboard its buses, trains, paratransit and vanpool vehicles. As the regional transportation leader, Capital Metro is driving progress and investing in the region’s mobility with high-capacity transit solutions, like MetroRapid, that will move more people at less cost and with less impact to the environment. Capital Metro is a financially sound and fiscally responsible agency that has won the highest rating for financial transparency from the Texas Comptroller, for the third straight year. Get onboard. Visit capmetro.org or call (512) 474-1200.