Capital Metro will offer free rides Saturday evening to help Austin residents beat traffic as the city celebrates Independence Day.
The transit agency will suspend fares starting at 5 p.m. July 4 ahead of the Austin Symphony Star-Spangled Fest concert and fireworks at Auditorium Shores.
“As road closures and heavy traffic impact the area throughout the evening, CapMetro provides a convenient way to get within walking distance of the celebration without the hassle of driving and parking downtown,” the agency said in its Monday announcement.
Eight bus routes will offer service directly to Auditorium Shores:
After the event, CapMetro employees will be stationed at the Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores Station and the South 1st and Riverside stop to help customers navigate home.
Throughout the holiday, some services will be reduced. CapMetro will operate Sunday-level bus service and Saturday-level rail service July 4. Pickup service will operate as normal, but UT shuttles, Night Owl and Express routes are canceled for the day.
The Star-Spangled Fest will feature free live music, dozens of food trucks, family friendly-games and activities, and of course, fireworks.
Auditorium Shores opens at 4:30 p.m. and the music kicks off with a set from DJ Supa Q, followed by Tomar and the FCs at 5:45 p.m. Shelby Stone will play a set at 7 p.m. ahead of a celebration of veterans at 7:45 p.m.
The Austin Symphony Orchestra takes the stage for a free concert beginning at 8:10 p.m. The fireworks display — featuring nearly 2,500 fireworks as America celebrates its 250 birthday — will begin around 9:45 p.m. after the sun sets.
For those who choose not to take the bus, parking is available for $25 at the Palmer Events Center, Austin Convention Center, City Hall and One Texas Center.
Riverside Drive near Auditorium Shores will be closed all day Saturday. Other road closures near the Long Center for the Performing Arts will take effect at 8 p.m.