Capital MetroRail

Infobox rail line
name = Capital MetroRail


imagesize = 300px
caption = Artist rendering of MetroRail train arriving at a station
type = Commuter rail
system = Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
status = Under construction
locale = Austin, Texas
start = Leander Station and Park & Ride (north)
end = Downtown Station (south)
stations = 9
routes = Red Line
ridership = 2,000 per day (projected)
owner = Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
operator = Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
character =
stock = 6 Stadler Bussnang AG
linelength = 32 miles
tracklength =
notrack =
gauge = RailGauge|sg (standard gauge)
el =
elevation =
speed = Projected 60-75 mph

Capital MetroRail [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan - CapMetro
work =
publisher =Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
date =
url =http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-stations.shtml
accessdate =2008-07-07 ]

Capital MetroRail is a regional rail transit option, under construction, for Austin, Texas under the authority of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The project is underway and scheduled to open on March 30, 2009. [cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/02/1002capmetro.html |title=Commuter rail line opening put off to March |last=Wear |first=Ben |date=2008-10-02 |publisher=The Austin American-Statesman |accessdate=2008-10-02] The system — which is being built on pre-existing freight rail lines — will serve downtown Austin, east Austin, north central Austin, northwest Austin and Leander in the first phase.

Rolling stock

In September 2005, Stadler Rail won a bid to build six diesel-electric rail cars for the system.cite press release|publisher=Stadler|date=September 23, 2005|title=Stadler Wins Commuter Rail Car Award with Capital Metro|url=http://www.stadlerrail.com/default.asp?n=68&ms=2&h=1&id=57&s=2&news_id=132] Each of the trains are worth about $6 million, and will run on two 400HP diesel electric engines.

The vehicles have a capacity of 200 passengers, 108 seated and 92 standing. The trains will have priority seating areas (fully ADA compliant) for wheelchairs. A "VIP section" with room for laptop use with WiFi access is also included. Bike racks, luggage racks, high back racks, and low floor entry for easy access are all features of what Capital Metro calls the safest and most technological advanced trains in North America. For safety, the vehicles have ten cameras outside and six inside, as well as a sophisticated communications system.cite web|publisher=Capital Metro|date=March 25, 2008|title=Vehicle Information|url=http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-vehicles.shtml]

tations

The first rail line is called the Red Line and will feature nine stations. The northern terminus is the Leander Station and Park & Ride and the southern terminus will be the Downtown (Convention Center) Station. Each station will feature an accessible platform with varying canopy designs, ticket vending machines, bike racks, and informational displays. Stations in more suburban settings will feature Park & Rides for commuters; more urban locations will be accessible by foot, bike, and bus.

fontcolor|red|Red Line

The following Red Line stations are listed north to south.
* Leander Station and Park & Ride [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/leander1.pdf] [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/leander2.pdf]
* Lakeline Station and Park & Ride [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/lakeline1.pdf]
* Howard Station and Park & Ride [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/Howard%20LOCATION.pdf] [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/Howard%20EXHIBIT%20with%20photo.pdf]
* Burnet/Kramer Station [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/Burnet.pdf]
* Crestview Station [http://www.urbanaustin.org/index.php/Crestview_Station_TOD]
* Highland Station [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/highland1.pdf]
* MLK, Jr. Station [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/MLK%20Jr%20site%20plan.pdf]
* Plaza Saltillo Station [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/Plaza%20Saltillo2.pdf]
* Downtown/Convention Center Station [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/downloads/stations/Downtown%20station%20site%20plan.pdf]

Future expansions

Even though the first line, the Red Line, has yet to launch, the need for expansion is clear. The Red Line will help reduce congestion on Loop 1 (MoPac) and US-183 but will do little for other major roads. Capital Metro's All Systems Go Plan includes a study into potential future service. Two lines that are identified as well-fit for regional rail service are: TxDOT's abandoned MoKan Corridor and a freight line from Downtown to Manor. Any future expansion would require another referendum.

MoKan corridor

This line's southern terminus would be near the Red Line's Plaza Saltillo Station or closer to Walter E. Long Municipal Park, depending on where Capital Metro locates it. The north end would be well into Round Rock, near Dell Diamond. The northern terminus could potentially intersect with the planned Austin-San Antonio commuter rail line. This expansion would help extend service into northeast Austin and the suburbs of Pflugerville and Round Rock.

Downtown-Manor freight line

This potential line would be the first west to east in Capital Metro's rail service. Like the MoKan corridor, this line's western terminus could be near the Red Line's Plaza Saltillo Station or closer to Walter E. Long Municipal Park. The east end of the line is not yet clear, as it has the potential to go beyond Manor and into Elgin. This expansion would relieve congestion on US-290 as both Manor and Elgin have residents that commute daily into Austin.

ee also

*Commuter rail in North America
*Stadler GTW

References

External links

* [http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/ Capital Metro: All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan]