Capital Metro media representative

Capital Metro media representative

Written by Staff Monday, 07 January 2008

Misty Whited

Testing has already begun on the MetroRail’s cars, and Austin’s first passenger rail system is set to begin this fall. As the launch of the MetroRail nears, Austinites have many questions ranging from the rail’s noise to its cost. Capital Metro press representative Misty Whited has become the expert on the rail and offers answers to citizens’ pressing questions about MetroRail.

Q. How much will it cost to ride the MetroRail?

A. The fare for MetroRail has not yet been established. At the direction of the board of directors, staff is exploring possible changes to Capital Metro’s overall fare structure. That process also includes setting the fare for rail.

Q. How will the fare be paid?

A. Each station will have ticket vending machines where customers can purchase their ticket. There will not be turnstiles or fare checkers at the train door because this would delay the boarding process; however, a fare checker on board the train may ask to see your ticket.

Q. When will construction begin on the stations?

A. Construction is underway on six of the rail stations. Construction is expected to begin on the Downtown, Howard and Kramer stations in the spring.

Q. What is the projected start month and how many times a day will it run?

A. Service will begin this fall. All schedules are also in the planning stage, but initially we plan to operate during morning and afternoon rush hour, with the possibility of future mid-day trips. All schedules are also in the planning stage, but initially we plan to operate during morning and afternoon rush hour, with the possibility of mid-day trips. We will also look to add weekend trips once the demand grows.

Q. There have been concerns about noise. How noisy will the MetroRail be?

A. Federal law requires that trains sound their horns at all public crossings unless a quiet zone has been established. Capital Metro is upgrading the crossing technology to establish quiet zones at all public crossings from 183 to downtown Austin, from Cedar Park to Leander and other heavily populated sections of the track. And you can also add this sentence to the paragraph: MetroRail trains engines are extremely quiet and produce very little vibration. In addition to the benefit of quiet zones, quad gates also prevent cars from driving around crossing gates.

Q. What will the breakdown of the funding be?

A. Capital Metro is funding this project within our current operating budget without issuing bonds and with no tax increase. Our largest revenue source is the one cent sales tax. Since the fare has not been established, we cannot yet determined the percentage of operational costs covered by passenger fares.

Q. What are the city and Capital Metro doing to dialogue about expansion or to put together a referendum?

A. Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has created a Transit Working Group to look into the potential for more rail. For more information, visit www.campotexas.org/comm_twg.php.

Q. What is Capital Metro doing to promote and educate people about the rail?

A. Capital Metro has several departments that work towards increasing public awareness about the value of public transportation, which includes bus, paratransit and rail services. Capital Metro’s Business and Community Development staff meets often with neighborhood associations, social groups, community organizations and local schools to inform them about the commuter rail. Most recently, the Community Involvement Team sent out postcards and block-walked neighborhoods affected by the rail vehicle testing. Additionally, one of Capital Metro’s top priorities is safety. There is an extensive initiative to educate the public, especially children, about rail safety. As the project develops, Capital Metro plans to hold large community events to introduce the public to the trains and each rail station.

Q. Is the Rails with Trails project still on? What will this look like?

A. During Capital Metro’s 2004 All Systems Go open houses, workshops and briefings, the Central Texas community encouraged Capital Metro to begin planning for bike and pedestrian trails along rail lines. Capital Metro completed a feasibility study in the summer of 2007 with the input of stakeholders. The study determined feasible bike and pedestrian trail alignments, including connections to Capital MetroRail stations, priority trail segments and costs for each trail segments. Capital Metro has incorporated the program into its long-range financial plan as well as working with the City of Austin to incorporate the Rails with Trails program into their bike plan.

Q. What is being done to develop the area around the MetroRail stops?

A. Lakeline has several developments in progress, most notably Lakeline Station by Pacific Summit Partners. We have selected potential development partners for both Lakeline and Leander. In both cases, the selection means that we will now attempt to negotiate a joint development agreement that is in the best interests of Capital Metro and conforms to all relevant federal, state and local laws and regulations. Developers are also working on a transit-oriented development near the Crestview Station (located near Highland Mall along Justin Lane). There is new housing in the MLK, Jr. station area and plans for further development there. Also, there is a new development being planned for Sixth Street and Comal Street, which is a block from Plaza Saltillo. Capital Metro owns 13.6 acres at Leander and 20.8 acres at Lakeline.

Contact Information: 389-7572, http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org

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