Road Reveille

New luxury bus service for Texas A&M football games creates buzz: No stops, TVs and Wi-Fi perks

A Dallas-based company aiming to reinvent city-to-city bus transit has its sights set on Aggieland . . . and business is booming.

This season, Starline Travel Group is packing its buses with Texas A&M University football fans on a new weekend route it calls the GameLiner — a spin-off of its regular CityLiner service between Houston and College Station that's specifically designed for game day, allowing Aggies to breeze in and out of Kyle Field without the stress of parking or driving.

But it's the journey itself that Starline co-founders Jase Chandler and Tommy Obenchain hope will make the biggest impression on passengers. Gone are the stiff narrow seats. Gone are the crumbling concrete bus terminals. And gone are the inexplicable and seemingly endless stops made along the way.

"What really sets us apart from the competition is our cabin crew."

"We found there was a huge hole in the transportation market for fast, comfortable rides that bring you to the heart of a city, rather than to a parking lot at the edge of town," Obenchain tells CultureMap, noting that all Starline buses stop in areas filled with restaurants and shops.

The company hopes to create "an experience" for its passengers with free Wi-Fi, TVs and leather seating standard with every trip. Those tired of the creepy midtown bus station will be delighted to board downtown at the GreenStreet shopping center (formerly the Houston Pavilions), several blocks west of Discovery Green.

"While we offer a lot of cool stuff, what really sets us apart from the competition is our cabin crew," Obenchain explains. "Each bus has a dedicated attendant to assist passengers and sell a number of food and beverage items. It's more akin to flying."

In addition to expanding GameLiner service to include Aggie away games, Starline is looking to add new routes across the state in the next year.

Starline will be operating for A&M's game against SMU on Saturday. For pricing options and travel times, visit the travel company online or call 855-604-9968.

Starline Travel Group kicks off its inaugural run between Houston and College Station . . . Aggies, rejoice.

Starline bus service to football games bus September 2013 rendering

Rendering courtesy of Starline Travel LLC

Starline Travel Group kicks off its inaugural run between Houston and College Station . . . Aggies, rejoice.

unspecified

Disappear Into Nature

Secluded Hill Country park opens 2 luxurious glamping houses

Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Glamping can still include s'mores with a private outdoor fire pit.

Just in time for unbearable temperatures across Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has introduced a cooler glamping solution. Opened mid-May, the Ööd Mirror Houses are LCRA Parks' newest accommodations at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, about 40 minutes outside of Austin.

Hideaway House exterior Both glamping options have floor-to-ceiling windows that look like mirrors from the outside.Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Operated by Cameron Ranch Glamping, these two luxury houses are tucked away in the park's Lost Pines region, surrounded by trees and miles of tranquility.

Both these pet-friendly homes include floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass walls, so guests can look out into nature with complete privacy, from both passersby and mosquitos.

Both The Hideaway and The Bloom are 221 square feet and are equipped with a queen memory foam bed, full bathroom with walk-in shower, dining area, Wi-Fi, kitchenette, record player, and perhaps most importantly for this time of year, air conditioning. In the winter, the structures will be heated.

Hideaway House Interior Both mirror houses include memory foam queen-sized beds, WiFi, A/C, and more. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

No matter how glam it gets, guests can still enjoy classic camping fun like roasting marshmallows in their personal outdoor fire pit, or firing up the grill for some burgers. Plus, Lake Bastrop offers paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, areas for fishing, trails for hiking and biking, mini-golf, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and a charming camp store.

Interior kitchen area Kitchenettes come equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and cooking equipment. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Guests can also leave the park and make the 10-minute drive to downtown Bastrop to grab a bite, a drink, some groceries, or catch some music or a movie. (Who can really say what the rules of glamping entail?)

Bloom House The two mirror houses are within walking distance to the swimming areas along the lake. Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

The Ööd Mirror Houses are now available to book online. Rates vary by day, starting just above $200 per night before fees, and increasing to more than $300 before fees during certain times. Find the campground at 375 S. Shore Rd., Bastrop.

glamping nature parks bastrop luxury