A challenge was thrown at Austin commuters Wednesday. "Austin Don't Rush" was an attempt to alleviate the city's traffic troubles. Our Stef Manisero shows us how residents responded to the mayor's effort.

"We're going to try things," said Mayor Steve Adler.

Austin Don't Rush was a dare to be different, that many Austinites didn't care to take.

"We have mobility challenges," Adler said.

The mayor challenged Austin residents to stay off the streets Wednesday as an effort to relieve traffic.

And many responded -- on social media that is.

Complaints ranged from the recent vote that led to Uber and Lyft to cease operations in Austin, to criticism of CapMetro.

Traffic times show rush hour delays on Wednesday were on par with those earlier in the week.

Adler said, ultimately, there's only one solution.

"There is nothing we can do that would have as big an impact on congestion in this city and cost us nothing as staggering work hours and telecommuting," Adler said.

"Basically if you feel like you need to work from home that day, it's totally fine," said Audrey Hamoy, an employee at Aceable.

For employees at the Austin startup Aceable, telecommuting isn't rare.

In fact, it's a strategy they say works.

"I live 10 miles away but it takes me 45 minutes to get here in the morning, and it's just eating the time off your day," said Hamoy. "You could actually be productive and doing stuff."

While some companies say they're happy to work with the city to help get rid of some of this congestion, they add that maybe more companies would be willing to have their employees work from home, if the city offered them an incentive for doing so.

"If companies who don't get parking, maybe they could get some kind of parking waiver when they do drive in," Hamoy said.

It's a challenge for change, in a city stuck bumper to bumper.

"New companies who are coming here may see that work-from-home policy and already integrate it into their system," said Hamoy.

Adler said he believes the rain played a part in the heavy travel times on Wednesday.

However, he said he was encouraged by this test, and adds that the city will continue to experiment with transit options.

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