AUSTIN, Texas — Musicians in the  “Music Capital of the World" are being offered a new kind of incentive from Lyft. 

In 2018, the ride-sharing app plans to offer free rides to local musicians to and from their shows, according to a press release.

The Austin Musician Rideshare program, as it’s been called, will help musicians avoid dealing with the woes of parking and hauling their gear in busy downtown Austin.

Local venues including Stubb’s, Empire Control Room and Antone’s have been listed as partners with the program, but Lyft says the full list of venue partners is still pending.

The general manager of Stubb's, Ryan Garret, said in a press release, “Lyft’s Musician Rideshare Program is a tremendous asset for local musicians. Stubb’s is thrilled to partner with Lyft on this progressive program which will positively impact the lives of local musicians and the entire Austin music scene.”

Stephen Sternschein, owner of Empire Control Room, explains a problem he sees the program solving for Austin musicians: "It's expensive and difficult to park downtown, even harder for a working musician lugging gear. Parking tickets, towing, and accidents can (and do) eat up every dollar a local musician just made on stage. We ought to do everything we can to fix this.”

The program launches during Free Week, which highlights local Austin bands via free shows at different venues from Jan. 1-7.