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Voters Choose Commuter Rail
On November 2, 2004 -
Today, citizens in the Capital Metro service area voted in favor of allowing the agency to operate urban commuter rail service extending from Leander through northwest and east Austin and on to downtown. As of late Tuesday evening, the unofficial vote totals indicated that 62% citizens voted for the referendum while 38% voted against. The Downtown/Northwest Urban Commuter Rail Service is one part of the authority's All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan to provide options for citizens to help address regional population growth, estimated to double in the next 25 years.
"We are thrilled that the voters have expressed their confidence in Capital Metro and the All Systems Go Plan," said Capital Metro Board Chairman Lee Walker. "Citizens have said 'yes' to giving the area a new plan and a great new start for commuter rail."
The plan includes expanded local and express bus service, new Rapid Bus Service, and a 32-mile urban commuter rail starter line along Capital Metro's existing freight tracks, as well as hike and bike trails along portions of rights-of-way adjacent to those tracks.
Beginning in May 2004, Capital Metro asked for community participation to address transit issues in the Austin area. Altogether, nearly eight thousand people provided input through meetings, cards, phone calls and responses to Internet surveys. Capital Metro planners analyzed and evaluated the input based upon factors including frequency, cost implications, ridership potential, land-use implications, required federal study processes, economic impact and environmental impact.
The Downtown/Northwest Urban Commuter Rail line approved by voters today is expected to carry 17,000 riders per day by 2025, and will use Capital Metro's existing freight rail line. Initial capital construction costs are estimated to be $60 million. Those costs include minor track improvements to allow access to stations and for trains to pass one another, station platforms and an interim maintenance facility. Because the service would be operated on existing tracks, there should be no traffic disruptions during construction. A preliminary budget analysis indicates that the vehicles can be lease-purchased and included as part of the line's estimated $5 million annual operating cost.
Fares for the service have not yet been determined but are expected to be consistent in price and structure to Express Bus fares, which are currently $1.00 each way. The downtown station would be located near the Austin Convention Center where passengers will be provided with connections to reach their final destination via a high frequency shuttle bus system.
The rail service could be the first step toward creating a regional passenger rail system around Austin. Proposed future passenger rail service along the MoPac line, currently being used for freight service by Union Pacific, and the abandoned MoKan freight line, could connect Georgetown to Austin and San Marcos with service to San Antonio. Future passenger service on these lines would require coordination with other transportation entities, including the Austin - San Antonio Commuter Rail District, TxDOT and others. If Capital Metro were to operate these lines another referendum would be required.
The All Systems Go Long-Range Plan with its starter urban commuter rail plan comes as one of the first major steps following the Envision Central Texas process that found that Central Texans preferred a mix of transit and roads to address our region's long-range transportation challenges.
"This vote now starts us on the track to a future where our growth does not imperil all that we love about Central Texas, and a future that preserves the special character of our natural places, our rural and urban places, and our living cultural heritage," said Mr. Walker.
The Capital Metro Board of Directors will officially canvas the votes at its Nov. 15 meeting at 4 p.m.
About Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority provides bus service on flexible, convenient schedules at more than 3,000 bus stops throughout Central Texas, providing riders with an average of 130,000 one-way trips each day. Capital Metro's fixed route bus service includes 66 metro and flyer routes, seven downtown circulator 'Dillo routes, seven express routes and 22 UT shuttle routes. Capital Metro also offers 30 AISD school routes, van and carpooling coordination, shuttles to special events and special transit services for the disabled. For more information, call (512) 474-1200 or visit the Web site at www.capmetro.org.