Capital MetroRail
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| Capital MetroRail | |
 |
|
|---|---|
| Artist Rendering of MetroRail train arriving at a station | |
| Info | |
| Type | Light rail |
| System | Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority |
| Locale | Austin, Texas |
| Terminals | Leander Station and Park & Ride (north) Downtown Station (south) |
| No. of stations | 9 |
| Service routes | Red Line |
| Operation | |
| Opened | Fall 2008 |
| Owner | Capital Metro |
| Operator(s) | Capital Metro |
| Rolling stock | 6 Stadler Bussnang AG |
| Technical | |
| Track length | 32 miles |
| Operating speed | projected - 60mph in town, 75mph open track with no intersections |
| Highest elevation | at grade, with street crossings and a overpass above another railroad |
Capital MetroRail is a regional rail transit option, under construction, for Austin, Texas under the authority of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The project is underway and scheduled for completion in 2008. The system — which was be built on pre-existing freight rail lines — will serve Downtown Austin, East Austin, Northcentral Austin, Northwest Austin and Leander in the first phase.
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[edit] Rolling Stock
In September 2005, Stadler Rail won a bid to build six diesel-electric rail cars for the system.[1] 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 CapMet is calling, 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..[2]
[edit] Stations
The first rail line is called the Red Line and will feature nine stations. The north termninus is the Leander Station & Park and Ride and the south end will be the Downtown (Convention Center) Station. Each station will feature a easilly accessible platform with varying canopy designs, ticket vending machines, bike racks, informational displays, etc. Stations in more suburban settings will feature Park and Rides for commuters, more urban locations will be accessed easily by foot, bike, and bus.
Stations List - Red Line - North to South
- Leander Station and Park & Ride [1][2]
- Lakeline Station and Park & Ride [3]
- Howard Station and Park & Ride [4][5]
- Burnet/Kramer Station [6]
- Crestview Station [7]
- Highland Station [8]
- MlK, Jr. Station [9]
- Plaza Saltillo Station [10]
- Downtown/Convention Center Station [11]
[edit] Future Expansions
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This article or section contains information about a planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available. |
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Even though the first line, 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 light rail service are: Tx Dot's abandoned MoKan Corridor and a freight line to from Downtown to Manor. Any future expansion would require another referendum.
MoKan Corridor This line's south terminus would be near the Red Line's Plaza Saltillo Station or closer to Walter E. Long Municipal Park, it depends where CapMet locates it. The northern end would be well into Round Rock, near Dell Diamond. The north terminus could potentially intersect with the planned San Antonio- Austin Regional Commuter Rail. This expansion would help extend service into Northeast Austin and the major 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 east terminus could be near the Red Line's Plaza Saltillo Station or closer to Walter E. Long Municipal Park. The west end to the line is not yet clear, as it has the potential to go past Manor and into Elgin. This expansion would relieve congestion on US-290 as both Manor and Elgin have residents that commute daily into Austin.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Stadler (September 23, 2005). "Stadler Wins Commuter Rail Car Award with Capital Metro". Press release.
- ^ Vehicle Information. Capital Metro (March 25, 2008).
