Capital MetroRail grand opening celebration cancelled

By Kara Vaught Friday, 20 March 2009

News Update

At 2:01 p.m. March 20, Capital Metro announced the March 28 MetroRail grand opening celebrations for the commuter rail service from Leander to downtown Austin are cancelled and train service will be delayed indefinitely.

The Federal Railroad Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation today notified Capital Metro of additional alleged violations committed by employees of rail contractor Veolia Transportation. Earlier this month, Capital Metro announced the March 30 opening of the MetroRail would be delayed to allow for more training of Veolia employees after two train operators allegedly entered sections of track without authorization. At that time, Capital Metro representatives said March 28 grand opening celebrations would continue as planned.

In a statement to media, Capital Metro president and CEO Fred Gilliam said he has called for Veolia to replace its safety director. In the meantime, rail experts from Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will assist Capital Metro in preparing the MetroRail for operation.

Gilliam will present the status of the MetroRail and an action plan by May 15. “Capital Metro is deeply disappointed over this delay, but under no circumstances will we jeopardize safety by rushing this process,” he said.

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Capital MetroRail almost ready for riders

Published in March 2009 print edition

By Kara Vaught

Capital Metro’s Red Line commuter rail from Leander to downtown Austin will not leave the station March 30 as planned. A new opening day had not been determined as of press time, but Adam Shaivitz, Capital Metro communications manager, said he would guess a delay lasting a couple of weeks, not months.

On March 13, Capital Metro was notified that employees of rail operator Veolia Transportation allegedly drove MetroRail trains onto a section of track without authorization during system testing.

“Based on this incident and additional issues identified during rail testing over the past several weeks, Capital Metro will allow more time for Veolia to complete the training of engineers and dispatchers and additional testing of the rail line,” according to a Capital Metro media advisory.

Celebrations scheduled for March 28 will take place as planned, including free rides on the MetroRail from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Visit www.capmetro.org/rail_opening.asp for details. The Leander Family Celebration, from 1-7 p.m., will include a ribbon cutting and live music by the Onion Creek Crawdaddies at the Leander Station, 800 N. US 183.

Approved by voters in 2004, the MetroRail won over more than 60 percent of voters that year after they rejected a light rail proposition in 2000. The $105 million price tag is $15 million more than anticipated in 2004. The extra expense went to a permanent rather than temporary maintenance facility, enhanced safety measures, building a bridge over other train tracks and increased cost of materials, said Misty Whited, Capital Metro communications specialist.

“Leander is totally multimodal now,” said John Cowman, mayor of Leander. “We are eagerly anticipating what we have all worked so hard for.”

Rail by the numbers

• 2004 projected cost — $90 million
• Total cost — $105 million
• Fiscal year 2009 operating costs — $6.7 million (3.66 percent of Capital Metro's total FY09 budget of $182.6 million)
• Number of trains — Six, one of which will be held in reserve
• Estimated daily trips — 1,700-2,000
• Number of new jobs created by rail — 24 (12 train engineers and 12 dispatchers)
• Capacity per train — 108 seated, 92 standing
• Train speed — Averages 35 mph; top speed 60 mph
• Leander to Austin — 57 minutes

Capital MetroRail stations

In 2006, Capital Metro officials held open houses to gather public input about the design of each MetroRail station.

“That’s why each station looks different,” said Misty Whited, Capital Metro communication specialist. “Each station takes on the surroundings of the community.”

While all MetroRail stations share common features including Americans with Disabilities Act standards for accessibility, ticket vending machines and seating, some stations feature creative extras such as glass canopies with artwork.

MetroRail tickets are available at each station; the Capital Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress Ave., Austin; and other retailers, including H-E-B stores.

Train safety and sounds

Capital Metro installed quad-gate technology, which prevent vehicles from driving around safety gates in an attempt to beat the train, at MetroRail crossings along the 32-mile MetroRail line between Leander and central Austin.

The safety measure aided Cedar Park and Leander in gaining approval from the Federal Railroad Administration for Quiet Zones around railroad crossings. Trains will not sound horns in the cities unless they are accelerating from a stopped position or there is an emergency such as a person or vehicle on the tracks.

The City of Austin has also applied for Quiet Zones around railroad crossings between McNeil Drive and Gracy Farms Lane and between US 183 and downtown Austin. The FRA requires trains to sound horns 20 seconds prior to reaching public crossings unless a Quiet Zone has been approved.

A two-tiered safety plan is in place to educate the public about safety around trains and train tracks.

The first tier is Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit, international program first established in 1972 and sponsored by federal, state, and local government agencies, highway safety organizations and the nation’s railroads.

Capital Metro and Operation Lifesaver have presented safety programs to more than 10,000 students, with an emphasis on schools located near train tracks.

To request a safety presentation for a group, call 369-7759.

The second tier of Capital Metro’s safety plan involved a community group called Grassroots Rail Outreach Working Group, which uses local talent to create safety education messages. Products include safety patches for Girl and Boy Scouts and the website www.stayoffthetracks.com.

Train and track safety tips

• Never allow children to play anywhere near railroad tracks.
• Make a point of showing children railroad tracks and telling them to stay away from them.
• Teach children to “Stop, look and listen” when they must cross tracks.
• Pick up or hold your child’s hand when a bus or train approaches.
• Exercise extra caution when turning across train tracks.
• Never attempt to beat a train or bypass safety gates.
• Always expect a train on tracks, even if it is not a time when a train is scheduled to be running.
• Never walk down a train track.
• Cross tracks only at designated crossings.

A ticket to ride

MetroRail tickets are available at ticket vending machines at every station; at the Capital Metro Transit Store, 323 Congress Ave., Austin; at http://capmetro.org and at various local retailers, including H-E-B stores.

The Red Line is divided into two zones. The Kramer, Crestview, Highland, MLK Jr., Plaza Saltillo and Downtown stations make up Zone One and the Leander, Lakeline and Howard stations are in Zone Two. The zone boundary is Parmer Lane between the Howard and Kramer stations.

Riders will not be asked to show their tickets upon boarding, but Capital Metro personnel will randomly inspect fares. Those without a valid ticket will be removed from the train at the next station and may be subject to a citation or fine.

Ticket types

• Two-hour tickets — If purchased from a ticket vending machine at a station, these tickets are good for two hours from the time of purchase. Two-hour tickets purchased at the Transit Store downtown can be validated by machines at any station and are good for two hours from the time of validation. Two-hour tickets are available for travel in one zone ($1) or two zones ($1.50). Passengers riding on a two-hour ticket may catch a Rail Connector bus, available at the Downtown and MLK Jr. stations, for no additional cost. Reduced-fare tickets are available for students 18 and younger and active and reserve military with appropriate identification within one zone ($0.50) or two zones ($0.75).
• MetroPlus Day Pass — Day passes ($3) are good for 24 hours on all MetroRail and MetroBus rides.
• MetroPlus 31-Day Pass — These passes ($36) are valid 31 days from activation on all MetroRail and MetroBus rides. Reduced-fare passes ($18) are available for students 18 and younger and active and reserve military with appropriate identification.
• Free — Senior citizens (65 and older) and Disability Fare Card holders ride free with a Capital Metro-issued ID, as do University of Texas students, faculty and staff. Some local employers have also chosen to purchase passes for employees, who ride free with the Capital Metro and company ID. Visit the Transit Store to obtain an ID. Law enforcement, fire and military personnel in uniform and children younger than 6 also ride for free.

Using the Ticket Vending Machines

1. Press any button to activate the main menu and select the service for which you wish to purchase a ticket. Press the help button to display a detailed explanation of each service. At this screen you may also choose to view the screens in Spanish. For audio instructions, press the voice assistance button above the video screen.
2. Select the type of ticket you wish to purchase.
3. Select the fare you wish to purchase.
4. Select the number of tickets you wish to purchase and insert payment. The machines accept coins, bills, credit cards and electronic change cards, which are similar to gift cards, and are good for making purchases at ticket vending machines. Electric change cards are issued instead of bill or coin change when a customer makes cash purchases. The cards are valid for 15 days.
5. Take your ticket, which is dispensed at the bottom of the machine along with electric change cards, if necessary. Tickets purchased at the ticket vending machine are validated at the time of purchase.

Individual MetroRail station maps