Imagine yourself stepping outside, bundled up in layers and your warmest winter coat that you break out once a year. It’s finally cold out and the chill in the air brings with it dreams of hot chocolate with sugary marshmallows and holiday cheer. Like most other weekdays, you go to the Tech Ridge Park and Ride to catch the 801 CapMetro Rapid bus downtown to start your workday.
But today is different. As you walk up to the station, rubbing your hands together for warmth, you begin to hear the beautiful sound of music from a live band calling you through the crisp, frosty air. Then, you’re greeted by a smiling face handing you a hot cup of coffee and a delicious breakfast taco. Before you know it, you’re warmed up from the inside out as you take your seat on the bus and watch the musicians at the station fade into the distance behind you.
You’ve just stepped into a CapMetro wonderland, isn’t it a charming scene? Wouldn’t it be nice if you were greeted this way as you head out for all of your outings?
Well, dream no more. This year, we’ll all get the chance to have this experience as part of CapMetro’s Polar Events. Throughout December, we’ll have live music and breakfast items at select stations every Wednesday until December 20 at the following locations:
- November 29: MLK Jr. Station from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
- December 6: Leander Station from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- December 13: Manor Park and Ride from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- December 20: Tech Ridge Park and Ride from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
But hot coffee and soothing music aren’t the only surprises you’ll encounter on CapMetro while you’re shopping or attending events this holiday season. We’re hosting several jovial activities to spread cheer, including fare pass giveaways, appearances at holiday events and social media contests with fantastic prizes.
The festivities begin December 1 with the unveiling of a special Holiday Bus design. Starting Friday, you may see CapMetro Elves on select routes handing out special gifts to unsuspecting riders. The elves will be spreading cheer throughout the whole month, giving out a total of 600 fare passes and other fun swag, so keep an eye out for them during your commute!
That’s just the beginning! We’re throwing a very merry social media contest happening from December 4 through December 31, where you can enter to win great prizes, like CapMetro Swag, tickets to the Paramount Theater and Commuter Passes for bus and rail.
Customers who take a selfie while riding our service and tag the CapMetro account on social media with the hashtag #CapMetroPolarEvents will be entered for a chance to win one of three prizes. You can enter to win up to once per week, with a max limit of up to four times.
- Grand Prize: One yearlong Commuter Pass (good for bus and rail) worth about $495, along with CapMetro swag and free tickets to the Paramount Theater
- Second Place Prize: One 31-day Commuter Pass (good for bus and rail), along with CapMetro swag and free tickets to the Paramount Theater
- Third Place Prize: One 7-day Commuter Pass (good for bus and rail), along with CapMetro swag and free tickets to the Paramount theater
Keep an eye on CapMetro’s social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for updates on this and other pop-up contests throughout December!
Rounding out the holiday celebrations is a special guest appearance at the Paramount Theatre and a Performance of The Nutcracker by Ballet Austin will feature our very own President & CEO, Dottie Watkins as Mother Ginger.
“CapMetro’s holiday events are our way of saying thank you to our community,” says Dottie Watkins. “We are so incredibly grateful for this wonderful community, and we want to wish everyone in Central Texas a Happy Holiday season.”
You can find a full list of events and locations in the calendar image here. So, as you layer up and head out the door for work, shopping or fun, consider riding CapMetro for cheery commutes and cozy treats! Let CapMetro’s Polar Events warm you up and take you where you need to go without the stress of driving and parking in the hectic holiday frenzy.
