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COMMUTER RAIL

COMMUTER RAIL

History
On May 11, 2004, Capital Metro unveiled their proposed "All Systems Go!" transit system vision for the region. The "All Systems Go!" vision comprises Capital Metro's 25-year transit system plan. The "All Systems Go!" vision includes improvements to express and local bus service, urban commuter rail service from Leander to Downtown Austin, and a regional commuter rail network along other existing rail lines and corridors, including MoPAC and MoKAN.
RECA's commuter rail task force, co-chaired by John Lewis and Mike Weaver, worked with Cap Metro from January to August 2004 providing recommendations on the components of a commuter rail plan. The Cap Metro staff proposal incorporated most of RECA's recommendations (RECA Commuter Rail Task Force Recommendations).
Capital Metro staff hosted open houses and workshops in May and June 2004 to receive input from area residents regarding the "All Systems Go!" transit vision. Participants indicated their preferences for location of commuter rail and express bus routes, transit stations, and the nature of development on maps of the Capital Metro service area.
On August 16, 2004, Capital Metro staff presented their recommendation to the Capital Metro Board for a Northwest-Downtown Starter Line from Leander to the Convention Center as part of their "All Systems Go!" transit vision.
The nine proposed stations/stops for the Northwest-Downtown Starter Line were recommended at:

Leander

Northwest Park & Ride

Howard Lane

Braker Lane (near UT Pickle Campus)

Lamar/Justin Lane

Highland Mall

MLK at Airport Blvd.

Plaza Saltillo

Convention Center

The projected cost of the track improvements, interim maintenance facility, and stations was estimated to be $60 million with initial annual operating costs of $5 million. In addition, Capital Metro staff recommended developing collaborative planning efforts for regional connectivity in the MoPAC and MoKAN corridors.
On August 30, 2004 the Capital Metro Board of Directors passed a resolution placing the Northwest-Downtown starter line from Leander to the Convention Center on existing rail owned by Capital Metro on the November 2, 2004 ballot for the voters' consideration. The referendum was subject to the following binding language:

The purchase, acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance by Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority of or relating to an urban commuter rail service between the Austin Convention Center and Leander, Texas, on a line owned by the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority;

This starter urban commuter rail service is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan of Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority that also includes hike and bike trails along some existing railroad right-of-way, expanded local and express bus routes, new Rapid Bus routes and high frequency shuttle circulators that together provide connections to rail stops, new transit centers, new park and ride facilities, as well as major destinations in the Austin area; and

This starter urban commuter rail service would be implemented with no new or increased taxes and no issuance of bonds.

With the approval of the starter line, Cap Metro Board began to conduct Alternatives Analysis studies for the following corridors:

Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Redevelopment,

Convention Center to Seaholm, Downtown, Palmer Events Center, Capitol Complex, the University of Texas; and

The Pickle/Gateway Research Area.

The Capital Metro Board also voted to establish citizen advisory boards 1) to participate in the studies for Mueller and the Downtown-Capitol complex-UT areas and 2) to develop recommendations regarding near and long-range transit connectivity needs as well as future phases of the urban commuter rail line. Expansions to the rail system will be subject to future voter referenda.
At their September 23, 2004 meeting, The Real Estate Council of Austin, Inc. Board of Directors adopted a resolution supporting the Capital Metro plan for commuter rail.
On November 2, 2004, voters approved the Capital Metro referendum that included the commuter rail starter line: 161,620 votes in favor (62%) and 99, 210 votes against (38%).
As of November 2004, Capital Metro represented its intentions to: 1) open the 32-mile line from Leander to downtown Austin on its existing freight rail track by 2008; 2) run about 14 trains a day, four or five south from Leander in the morning on 30-minute intervals, with one or two in the reverse direction, with the reverse in the afternoon; and 3) apply for federal transportation money to fund $30-million of the initial capital costs.
Capital Metro is moving forward with implementation of the Downtown Austin-Leander rail project, i.e., the Red Line on which service is to begin in the Fall of 2008. As part of the implementation, Capital Metro hired Economic Research Associates to conduct six market studies of the transit oriented developments proposed as part of the rail project. The City of Austin is working closely with CapMetro on the proposed TODs and will take the lead role in station area planning as part of the TOD ordinances adopted by the City Council in May 2005. Click here for an update on the transit-oriented developments.
As a component of a future connections study for the All Systems Go long-range plan, Parsons Brinkerhoff completed an Alternatives Analysis as required by federal law to determine the most cost effective and efficient means to connect the commuter rail project to other key areas to include the Mueller Redevelopment project, the Seaholm redevelopment, Manor and other areas of interest. Click here to read about Capital Metro staff's recommendation for a Central Austin Circulator.
December 2008 Update
Red Line -
As a reminder on the commuter rail system approved by voters in November 2004, Capital Metro's Red Line will run on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Downtown Austin and Leander, Texas. Trains will have high-back seats, bicycle and overhead racks, and Wi-Fi connections. Some seating areas will feature tray tables. Capital MetroRail’s initial service will be during morning and afternoon peak hours. Regular and special shuttle buses will transport commuters from rail stops to their final destination.
Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration met with Capital Metro officials in Austin the week ending September 26, 2008 to outline the requirements needed for federal approval and will grant that approval once Capital Metro has completed the agency's outlines for testing, inspection, safety, and other operational issues.
On Wednesday, October 1, 2008, the Capital Metro Board of Directors set a tentative date of March 30, 2009 to open the 32-mile passenger train service from Leander to downtown Austin. The date was chosen based on timelines for construction of the Kramer Lane and Howard Lane/MoPac Boulevard stations and the two siding tracks needed for northbound and southbound trains to pass each other. Construction has now begun on both of these stations.
For more information about the All Systems Go Future Connections Study, i.e., how to connect the current commuter rail starter line to other destinations by rail or bus, visit www.allsystemsgoconnections.org.

Green Line -

Capital Metro, with assistance from the City of Elgin, has completed a phase one submittal of the Austin-Manor-Elgin transit corridor project, also known as the Green Line. This submittal to the Transit Working Group (TWG) for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is based on the decision tree created earlier in 2008 and does not include finance mechanisms. Presentation to the TWG began on Monday, December 1, 2008 in Austin City Council chambers.

The City of Austin's phase one submittal for the urban circulator transit project is currently undergoing review by CAMPO staff and should be ready for a presentation to the TWG in January. In anticipation of this, the TWG will be meeting at Austin City Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, and December 15, 2008 and January 5, and January 12, 2009. Meeting dates, agendas, and supplemental materials may be found on CAMPO's web site.

The charge for CAMPO's TWG is to analyze and evaluate the potential for rail in Central Texas, and discern the optimal role for rail as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan that includes new roads, toll roads, rapid buses, traditional bus service, and other modes of transportation. TWG members coordinate with City of Austin staff, CAMPO, Capital Metro, appropriate Central Texas counties or cities, the University of Texas, the State of Texas, the Austin/San Antonio Corridor Council, and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to identify options for routes, modes, financing mechanisms, and operating strategies. Financing options must be considered and evaluated and the TWG may choose to recommend specific routes and modal alternatives.

Resources
Green Line TWG Phase One Decision Tree Submittal (December 1, 2008)
All Systems Go! Transit Vision (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.8 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting)
DRAFT Long-Range Transit Plan 2030 (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.5 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting)
DRAFT Northwest-Downtown Line Station Areas (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.0 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting)
DRAFT Northwest-Downtown Line Transit Circulation Areas (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.0 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting)
Capital Metro Web site (Click on "All Systems Go!" to see additional information regarding the Capital Metro staff-proposed transit vision)
RECA Commuter Rail Task Force Recommendations (Microsoft Word / 216 kB--6/30/04)
RECA Board of Directors Resolution Supporting Commuter Rail -- Adopted September 23, 2004

© 2006 Real Estate Council of Austin, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Back to Top

COMMUTER RAIL
COMMUTER RAIL History On May 11, 2004, Capital Metro unveiled their proposed "All Systems Go!" transit system vision for the region. The "All Systems Go!" vision comprises Capital Metro's 25-year transit system plan. The "All Systems Go!" vision includes improvements to express and local bus service, urban commuter rail service from Leander to Downtown Austin, and a regional commuter rail network along other existing rail lines and corridors, including MoPAC and MoKAN. RECA's commuter rail task force, co-chaired by John Lewis and Mike Weaver, worked with Cap Metro from January to August 2004 providing recommendations on the components of a commuter rail plan. The Cap Metro staff proposal incorporated most of RECA's recommendations (RECA Commuter Rail Task Force Recommendations). Capital Metro staff hosted open houses and workshops in May and June 2004 to receive input from area residents regarding the "All Systems Go!" transit vision. Participants indicated their preferences for location of commuter rail and express bus routes, transit stations, and the nature of development on maps of the Capital Metro service area. On August 16, 2004, Capital Metro staff presented their recommendation to the Capital Metro Board for a Northwest-Downtown Starter Line from Leander to the Convention Center as part of their "All Systems Go!" transit vision. The nine proposed stations/stops for the Northwest-Downtown Starter Line were recommended at: Leander Northwest Park & Ride Howard Lane Braker Lane (near UT Pickle Campus) Lamar/Justin Lane Highland Mall MLK at Airport Blvd. Plaza Saltillo Convention Center The projected cost of the track improvements, interim maintenance facility, and stations was estimated to be $60 million with initial annual operating costs of $5 million. In addition, Capital Metro staff recommended developing collaborative planning efforts for regional connectivity in the MoPAC and MoKAN corridors. On August 30, 2004 the Capital Metro Board of Directors passed a resolution placing the Northwest-Downtown starter line from Leander to the Convention Center on existing rail owned by Capital Metro on the November 2, 2004 ballot for the voters' consideration. The referendum was subject to the following binding language: The purchase, acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance by Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority of or relating to an urban commuter rail service between the Austin Convention Center and Leander, Texas, on a line owned by the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority; This starter urban commuter rail service is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan of Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority that also includes hike and bike trails along some existing railroad right-of-way, expanded local and express bus routes, new Rapid Bus routes and high frequency shuttle circulators that together provide connections to rail stops, new transit centers, new park and ride facilities, as well as major destinations in the Austin area; and This starter urban commuter rail service would be implemented with no new or increased taxes and no issuance of bonds. With the approval of the starter line, Cap Metro Board began to conduct Alternatives Analysis studies for the following corridors: Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Redevelopment, Convention Center to Seaholm, Downtown, Palmer Events Center, Capitol Complex, the University of Texas; and The Pickle/Gateway Research Area. The Capital Metro Board also voted to establish citizen advisory boards 1) to participate in the studies for Mueller and the Downtown-Capitol complex-UT areas and 2) to develop recommendations regarding near and long-range transit connectivity needs as well as future phases of the urban commuter rail line. Expansions to the rail system will be subject to future voter referenda. At their September 23, 2004 meeting, The Real Estate Council of Austin, Inc. Board of Directors adopted a resolution supporting the Capital Metro plan for commuter rail. On November 2, 2004, voters approved the Capital Metro referendum that included the commuter rail starter line: 161,620 votes in favor (62%) and 99, 210 votes against (38%). As of November 2004, Capital Metro represented its intentions to: 1) open the 32-mile line from Leander to downtown Austin on its existing freight rail track by 2008; 2) run about 14 trains a day, four or five south from Leander in the morning on 30-minute intervals, with one or two in the reverse direction, with the reverse in the afternoon; and 3) apply for federal transportation money to fund $30-million of the initial capital costs. Capital Metro is moving forward with implementation of the Downtown Austin-Leander rail project, i.e., the Red Line on which service is to begin in the Fall of 2008. As part of the implementation, Capital Metro hired Economic Research Associates to conduct six market studies of the transit oriented developments proposed as part of the rail project. The City of Austin is working closely with CapMetro on the proposed TODs and will take the lead role in station area planning as part of the TOD ordinances adopted by the City Council in May 2005. Click here for an update on the transit-oriented developments. As a component of a future connections study for the All Systems Go long-range plan, Parsons Brinkerhoff completed an Alternatives Analysis as required by federal law to determine the most cost effective and efficient means to connect the commuter rail project to other key areas to include the Mueller Redevelopment project, the Seaholm redevelopment, Manor and other areas of interest. Click here to read about Capital Metro staff's recommendation for a Central Austin Circulator. December 2008 Update Red Line - As a reminder on the commuter rail system approved by voters in November 2004, Capital Metro's Red Line will run on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Downtown Austin and Leander, Texas. Trains will have high-back seats, bicycle and overhead racks, and Wi-Fi connections. Some seating areas will feature tray tables. Capital MetroRail’s initial service will be during morning and afternoon peak hours. Regular and special shuttle buses will transport commuters from rail stops to their final destination. Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration met with Capital Metro officials in Austin the week ending September 26, 2008 to outline the requirements needed for federal approval and will grant that approval once Capital Metro has completed the agency's outlines for testing, inspection, safety, and other operational issues. On Wednesday, October 1, 2008, the Capital Metro Board of Directors set a tentative date of March 30, 2009 to open the 32-mile passenger train service from Leander to downtown Austin. The date was chosen based on timelines for construction of the Kramer Lane and Howard Lane/MoPac Boulevard stations and the two siding tracks needed for northbound and southbound trains to pass each other. Construction has now begun on both of these stations. For more information about the All Systems Go Future Connections Study, i.e., how to connect the current commuter rail starter line to other destinations by rail or bus, visit www.allsystemsgoconnections.org. Green Line - Capital Metro, with assistance from the City of Elgin, has completed a phase one submittal of the Austin-Manor-Elgin transit corridor project, also known as the Green Line. This submittal to the Transit Working Group (TWG) for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is based on the decision tree created earlier in 2008 and does not include finance mechanisms. Presentation to the TWG began on Monday, December 1, 2008 in Austin City Council chambers. The City of Austin's phase one submittal for the urban circulator transit project is currently undergoing review by CAMPO staff and should be ready for a presentation to the TWG in January. In anticipation of this, the TWG will be meeting at Austin City Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, and December 15, 2008 and January 5, and January 12, 2009. Meeting dates, agendas, and supplemental materials may be found on CAMPO's web site. The charge for CAMPO's TWG is to analyze and evaluate the potential for rail in Central Texas, and discern the optimal role for rail as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan that includes new roads, toll roads, rapid buses, traditional bus service, and other modes of transportation. TWG members coordinate with City of Austin staff, CAMPO, Capital Metro, appropriate Central Texas counties or cities, the University of Texas, the State of Texas, the Austin/San Antonio Corridor Council, and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to identify options for routes, modes, financing mechanisms, and operating strategies. Financing options must be considered and evaluated and the TWG may choose to recommend specific routes and modal alternatives. Resources Green Line TWG Phase One Decision Tree Submittal (December 1, 2008) All Systems Go! Transit Vision (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.8 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting) DRAFT Long-Range Transit Plan 2030 (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.5 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting) DRAFT Northwest-Downtown Line Station Areas (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.0 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting) DRAFT Northwest-Downtown Line Transit Circulation Areas (Adobe Acrobat file / 2.0 MB)--Presented at the August 16, 2004 Capital Metro Board Meeting) Capital Metro Web site (Click on "All Systems Go!" to see additional information regarding the Capital Metro staff-proposed transit vision) RECA Commuter Rail Task Force Recommendations (Microsoft Word / 216 kB--6/30/04) RECA Board of Directors Resolution Supporting Commuter Rail -- Adopted September 23, 2004

© 2006 Real Estate Council of Austin, Inc. All Rights Reserved.	Back to Top