Metrorail Update? (Austin, Leander, Howe: appointed, outlet malls, bus)

[mlassoff]

I really enjoy trains. I love trains and prefer them as a form of transportation to driving my own car. I was disappointed the way the new rail system in Austin was being implemented and think they are doing just enough to make the system fail. However, I was hoping to ride it before I move to NYC at the end of October.

Is there any chance the system will be operational by then? Anyone know what's going on. The trains have been sitting at the depot near the Goodwill on 183 for over a year.

[HappyTexan]

Seems they are still futzing with the tracks and crossings. Retrofitting heavy freight lines to recognize these faster commuter cars at crossings just doesn't seem to be working out.

[centralaustinite]

They have been running test train a lot of the past few weeks, some even with Cap Metro employees on them as "passengers." But there are still signaling issues to work out and no sense of when it will be ready. I think that October is unlikely, but who knows?

I love trains too. But I'm afraid that this system will be too small to make any impact, two car trains running every half hour? It will be a true commuting option for very very few people.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

I hope they're up and running soon. It truly is a wonderful idea. My opinion.

[thesonofgray]

They should have a route up to the RR outlet mall and down to the SM outlet malls.

Now that would be awesome. And I bet the malls would chip in as well.

2 trains every hour to Leander is...less than stellar.

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by thesonofgray

They should have a route up to the RR outlet mall and down to the SM outlet malls.

Now that would be awesome. And I bet the malls would chip in as well.

2 trains every hour to Leander is...less than stellar.

Yeah not great compared to other systems but I predict if they are near capacity that some way will be found to procure some more cars.

[twange]

The best thread concerning Austin transportation:

austin transportation thread

The thread started almost 2 years ago(but still going) and is up to about 75 pages, so enter at your own risk.

[passionatearts]

The light rail in Austin has been delayed for over a year now. Honestly, the whole thing is a joke. I looked at the route and schedule for the rail, and it doesn't look like a viable transportation option for most people in the city. I hope I'm wrong, though.

[eepstein]

Metrorail when and if it ever begin running will be the biggest waste of resources in the austin area. It will be completely under utilized just as most of the Cap Metro bus sytem is. Capitol Metro has a whole is pretty much a complete and total failure. Austin has one of the lowest bus riderships in the country. You would have to be INSANE to ride the metrorail DEATHTRAP when it's operated by 15 and 16 year olds who just got there licenses!!!

Austin is a gas guzzling kinda place, not a place where many care about public transportation!!

Originally Posted by mlassoff

I really enjoy trains. I love trains and prefer them as a form of transportation to driving my own car. I was disappointed the way the new rail system in Austin was being implemented and think they are doing just enough to make the system fail. However, I was hoping to ride it before I move to NYC at the end of October.

Is there any chance the system will be operational by then? Anyone know what's going on. The trains have been sitting at the depot near the Goodwill on 183 for over a year.

[jobert]

That's where bike ridership takes up the slack. The city council just approved a comprehensive plan that should increase the amount of bike lanes 4x by 2020.