Austin rail service to start in March

Approved by voters in 2004

Vilas Bhuchar, Feb 01, 10.

Austin’s Capital Metro has announced that commuter rail service from downtown Austin to Leander will begin in March, according to Austin Towers (via Off the Kuff).

Austin Towers elaborates:

After what seems like endless series of problems and delays, Cap Metro has announced that light rail service will begin in March. Service was originally scheduled to commence on March 30, 2009.

MetroRail will run from downtown to Leander with stops for Lakeline, Howard, Kramer, Crestview, Highland, MLK, Jr., and Plaza Saltillo. The full 32 mile trip is estimated to take 57 minutes with a maximum speed projected to be as fast as 60 mph. Capital MetroRail will offer service every 35 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours with fares ranging from $2 to $3 depending on distance. There will also be discounts for monthly passes and certain categories of riders. Senior citizens and children under 6 ride for free.

The trains are very attractive. The city’s six trains will each have a capacity of 200 passengers with 108 seated and 92 standing. Believe it or not, the train will actually have wifi service on board as well as bicycle racks and work tables. For safety, the vehicles have ten cameras outside and six inside, as well as a sophisticated communications system.

MetroRail was originally approved in 2004 when voters within Capital Metro’s territory endorsed MetroRail as part of a long-range mass transit plan, which also includes expanded local and express bus service, as well as a possible streetcar system (modeled after the Portland Streetcar), which would connect downtown Austin, the Texas State Capitol complex and the University of Texas-Austin with the master-planned Mueller Community redevelopment project. Technically, the system is not considered light rail, because it shares the main-line tracks used by freight trains, and because of its infrequent rush hour-focused service.

The 32 mile commuter rail line, shown below, will cost approximately $109 million, according to the Austin American Statesman.

(Map credit: Austin American Statesman)

(Photo credit: BruceTurner)

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