Commuter rail is often sold to the public as a faster means of travel than buses. This can be true if the drive to the park and ride lot is short and your destination is within walking distance of a station. However, it is apparently not true in Austin.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that bus riders showed up at a Capital Metro hearing this week to oppose cancellation of two express bus routes that parallel the new commuter rail line. Their complaint? Taking the train takes longer.
As has become typical for new urban rail projects, Austin’s commuter rail line is carrying considerably fewer riders than projected. During its first month of service, daily ridership averaged 900 (450 each way), less than one-half the projected 2,000. This is less than 1/100th of Capital Metro’s daily bus ridership.
Comments
13 responses to “Commuter Rail Brings Slower Transit in Austin”
Light rail (urban rail) in low-density Austin-like cities Phoenix and Houston has blown the doors off. What this shows is that saving money by using existing track at the expense of avoiding major activity centers is just as bad an idea in Austin as it was in South Florida (Tri-Rail). The major activity centers here require a shuttle-bus transfer from the commuter rail station – even the one which is nominally ‘downtown’ (actually a 0.5-0.75 mile walk to most major office buildings).
Austin doesn’t have light rail. Houston and Dallas have light rail transit (LRT). Austin and Denton have heavy rail; commuter rail. LRT is an electrified system. It doesn’t share tracks with anything else. Hence, it can run 24/7. Commuter rail shares existing tracks with freight. Thus it can only operate within contractual time frames.
Austin doesn’t have LRT for the same reason Dallas doesn’t have third rail subways. In each case, the proposal was initially voted down by the public. Transit planners had to come up with something cheaper.
This can be true if the drive to the park and ride lot is short and your destination is within walking distance of a station. However, it is apparently not true in Austin.resine d epoxy
A very good and informative article indeed . It helps me a lot to enhance my knowledge, I really like the way the writer presented his views. I hope to see more informative and useful articles in future. Buy Facebook Fans
Well it depends upon on the situation. If a commuters destination is just near then probably they’ll ride a bus but if it’s far then they’ll take train for a ride. – facebook for photographers
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
Tucson Personal Trainer
I am still learning from you, but I am trying to achieve my goals. I certainly enjoy reading all that is posted on your blog. Keeps the information coming? I loved it! agence location voiture casablanca
Capital MetroRail offers friendly and reliable service Monday through Saturday between Leander and downtown Austin. Many of the stations are also serviced by MetroBus, so it’s easy to coordinate your trip from start to finish.
weiter lesen
After a series of delays, Capital MetroRail was inaugurated in March 2010.Daily ridership during the first nine months was approximately 800 riders per weekday, although it had doubled to 1,600 by its first anniversary.Capital Metro added additional runs during midday beginning in mid-January 2011. Capital Metro added Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening regularly scheduled service on March 23, 2012.
opzioni binarie
I mean, let’s face it; if I say evaluation, need an essay thinking I’d rather just get on with the work.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually realize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site =). We could have a hyperlink change contract between us! Villeroy and Boch Tiles
That was really a great information. Thanks for posting. breast actives cream
This articles here simply does caught up my attentions. by posting his ability in handling the horse like a real rodeo quietly one of the best shared articles online. buy facebook fans