Just in time for SXSW, Google announced today the launch of their Google Transit partnership with Cap Metro.

This year, SXSW goes carbon neutral for the first time, and you can do your part to reduce carbon emissions by using Google Trip Planner and Cap Metro to get around.

As of today, the Capital Metro Transportation Authority of Austin, Texas is the 10th agency to become part of Google Transit Trip Planner.

Some of you may notice that we're announcing this new partnership just in time for the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festival, which is taking place in Austin from March 9 to 18. And there is a reason for that...

This year, SXSW has gone carbon neutral. And thanks to the efforts of the Capital Metro team, the thousands of visitors that come to Austin for the 10-day music, film, and interactive festival can do their part to reduce carbon emissions by planning their SXSW experience using public transportation. As an added incentive for SXSW attendees, $1 day passes are available for purchase on board Capital Metro buses and provide unlimited use of Capital Metro services for an entire day.

Among the many steps festival organizers have taken, Austin Business Journal reports, "SXSW has offset 100 percent of 250 metric tons of carbon emissions by purchasing 376 megawatts of Texas wind energy carbon credits from Green Mountain. Additionally, SXSW has given a $5,000 donation to the Austin Parks Department for the purchase and maintenance of native trees."