Austin hoping to implement light rail

Commuter rail is problematic

Steve Hawley, Sep 03, 09.

The City of Austin is moving forward with plans to build a light rail line, according to the blog Transport Politic, despite numerous problems with a regional commuter rail line. The Transport Politic notes that Capital Metro, which is in charge of the troubled commuter rail line, will not lead the city’s light rail efforts.

The line, which would cost roughly $600 million, would connect northwest Austin, downtown, and the airport. Preliminary engineering is expected to be completed in the spring of 2010, and residents would vote on the issue that fall.

However, the article notes:

But the failures of Capital Metro’s project could put a significant dent in any hope that voters will agree to sponsor yet another rail program in a currently rail-less region. While the city may have all the best intentions in pursuing its own project, it seems unlikely that the electorate will see the matter that way. It would be unsurprising if the project were shot down in its tracks next fall.
...
Even worse, Austin’s project — poorly planned as a starter line — will serve so few commuters that when it opens, even the presence of trains may do little to excite the city’s population about future service.

The nearby city of Round Rock is also exploring the possibility of light rail.

(Photo credit: sahmeditor)