From KEYE, May 13, 2009...
Capital Metro says it is committed to opening the new MetroRail when it is ready, though there is no set date as to when it will be released.
The Capital MetroRail has been making progress in the last two months according to their spokesperson.
Executive President and Chief of Development for Capital Metro Doug Allen says “We are able to start the final phase of the process, which is the training and certification of the operators.”
The original release date was March 30, but due to incidents in February where two Veolia rail supervisors operating MetroRail trains entered a section of track without prior authorization during system testing, the date was postponed.
Read more...
Showing posts with label Capital Metro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Capital Metro. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Capital Metro may receive $17 million for new project
From News 8 Austin, May 15, 2009...
Capital Metro has been recommended to receive about $17.4 million in federal funding as early as 2010. The money is for a new program is called Capital MetroRapid.
They submitted the MetroRapid project just nine months ago and it was included in the budget which was presented to congress by President Barack Obama last week.
Capital Metro President, Fred Gilliam said, “The possibility of Capital MetroRapid receiving funding as early as FY2010 demonstrates the importance of expanding mass transit in our nation and especially in central Texas.”
MetroRapid is a limited-stop bus service that will operate on city streets as a rapid transit system. The vehicles used for MetroRapid will be equipped with signal priority technology to keep traffic lights green as buses approach major intersections to avoid any incidents.
Read more...Wednesday, April 29, 2009
New safety director named after MetroRail delay
From Impact News, April 29, 2009...
Six weeks after safety violations forced Capital Metro to reschedule the launch of its new commuter rail line, the line’s private operator has hired a new safety director.
Randall "Randy" Jamieson is the new director of safety, training and regulatory compliance in Austin for Veolia Transportation, the company announced in a press release Tuesday.
On March 20, Capital Metro cancelled the March 28 MetroRail grand opening celebrations for the commuter rail service from Leander to downtown Austin because of alleged safety violations by Veolia workers.
Train services have been delayed indefinitely. Capital Metro promised to present the status of the MetroRail and an action plan by May 15.
Read more...
Six weeks after safety violations forced Capital Metro to reschedule the launch of its new commuter rail line, the line’s private operator has hired a new safety director.
Randall "Randy" Jamieson is the new director of safety, training and regulatory compliance in Austin for Veolia Transportation, the company announced in a press release Tuesday.
On March 20, Capital Metro cancelled the March 28 MetroRail grand opening celebrations for the commuter rail service from Leander to downtown Austin because of alleged safety violations by Veolia workers.
Train services have been delayed indefinitely. Capital Metro promised to present the status of the MetroRail and an action plan by May 15.
Read more...
Friday, April 24, 2009
What's Wrong With Cap Metro ... and What's Right
From Austin Chronicle, April 24, 2009...
To say that the month of March went poorly for Capital Metro is putting it mildly.
In midmonth, after already a half-year's delay, the agency announced that its new MetroRail commuter rail line would not meet its planned March 30 launch date due to a labor subcontractor's violation of Federal Railroad Administration safety rules. Rail service would finally begin about a month later, the agency said.
Read more...
To say that the month of March went poorly for Capital Metro is putting it mildly.
In midmonth, after already a half-year's delay, the agency announced that its new MetroRail commuter rail line would not meet its planned March 30 launch date due to a labor subcontractor's violation of Federal Railroad Administration safety rules. Rail service would finally begin about a month later, the agency said.
Read more...
Monday, April 13, 2009
Cap Metro working on new metro rail timeline
From News 8 Austin, April 1, 2009...
In a statement issued Wednesday, Capital Metro said it is working on a new timeline to get rail service rolling.
The rail line's planned launch was delayed after allegations of safety violations by the rail contractor, Veolia Transportation.
A Cap Metro spokesperson said it is "working closely with Veolia, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure all components of the MetroRail line are ready and all outstanding issues are addressed before a single passenger boards a train."
Cap Metro has yet to announce a prospective launch date.
Read more...
In a statement issued Wednesday, Capital Metro said it is working on a new timeline to get rail service rolling.
The rail line's planned launch was delayed after allegations of safety violations by the rail contractor, Veolia Transportation.
A Cap Metro spokesperson said it is "working closely with Veolia, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure all components of the MetroRail line are ready and all outstanding issues are addressed before a single passenger boards a train."
Cap Metro has yet to announce a prospective launch date.
Read more...
Cap Metro - The Wheels Come Off
From Austin Chronicle, March 27, 2009...
To say things are not going well at Capital Metro right now ... well, let's not even bother with polite euphemisms. It's all going to hell.
More than a year behind schedule, the transit agency's new commuter train has been delayed yet again – this time indefinitely. And that announcement came after revelations in the Austin American-Statesman that the agency owes millions of dollars to the city of Austin and other communities it serves – but has drained its cash reserves to build its nonfunctional train and other pricey projects and apparently can't pay it back. According to the Statesman's Ben Wear (March 15), Cap Metro's savings, which once reached into the hundreds of millions, are now down to a mere two-month safety cushion.
Read more...
To say things are not going well at Capital Metro right now ... well, let's not even bother with polite euphemisms. It's all going to hell.
More than a year behind schedule, the transit agency's new commuter train has been delayed yet again – this time indefinitely. And that announcement came after revelations in the Austin American-Statesman that the agency owes millions of dollars to the city of Austin and other communities it serves – but has drained its cash reserves to build its nonfunctional train and other pricey projects and apparently can't pay it back. According to the Statesman's Ben Wear (March 15), Cap Metro's savings, which once reached into the hundreds of millions, are now down to a mere two-month safety cushion.
Read more...
Monday, March 9, 2009
Capital Metro takes media for a rail ride
From KVUE, March 2, 2009...
During Capital Metro's five recent open houses, the public has gotten a look inside rail cars, but the train never moved. Monday, members of the media got to take a real ride.
Reporters, photographers and Capital Metro staffers boarded the red line shortly after noon in North Austin. The abbreviated trip would take riders to Leander and back.
Read more...
During Capital Metro's five recent open houses, the public has gotten a look inside rail cars, but the train never moved. Monday, members of the media got to take a real ride.
Reporters, photographers and Capital Metro staffers boarded the red line shortly after noon in North Austin. The abbreviated trip would take riders to Leander and back.
Read more...
Thursday, March 5, 2009
MetroRail sneak peekwith speedy ride
From KXAN, March 2, 2009...
People get an inside look Monday at the new Capital Metro Commuter Rail . A media open house was held Monday afternoon starting from the station near U.S. Highway 183 and Burnet Road in North Central Austin. Six cars were available for boarding, and they will officially start shuttling passengers later this month.
The track runs 32 miles from Leander to Downtown Austin near the Austin Convention Center , and at times, the train reached close to 60 mph while traveling from North Austin to Leander. The train comes with Internet capabilities.
Read more...
People get an inside look Monday at the new Capital Metro Commuter Rail . A media open house was held Monday afternoon starting from the station near U.S. Highway 183 and Burnet Road in North Central Austin. Six cars were available for boarding, and they will officially start shuttling passengers later this month.
The track runs 32 miles from Leander to Downtown Austin near the Austin Convention Center , and at times, the train reached close to 60 mph while traveling from North Austin to Leander. The train comes with Internet capabilities.
Read more...
Riding the Red Line
From statesman, March 5, 2009...
A Q&A about Capital Metro's passenger rail line.
Q: When does service start?
A: March 30, probably. Training and final testing is behind schedule, and problems have cropped up with the gate and track control system. So the opening might not occur until April.
A: There are nine stations on a 32-mile route between Leander, just north of RM 2243 and downtown Austin at Fourth and Trinity streets. The first four stations are widely spaced, then there are much shorter intervals as you get closer to Central Austin. Look at the map on this page to get a better idea of where they are.
Q: I see the rail line passes through Cedar Park, but there's no station. Why?
A: The City of Cedar Park pulled out of the Capital Metro service area in 1998. However, the city may eventually reach a deal with the transit agency to pay an annual fee for a station.
Read more...
A Q&A about Capital Metro's passenger rail line.
Q: When does service start?
A: March 30, probably. Training and final testing is behind schedule, and problems have cropped up with the gate and track control system. So the opening might not occur until April.
A: There are nine stations on a 32-mile route between Leander, just north of RM 2243 and downtown Austin at Fourth and Trinity streets. The first four stations are widely spaced, then there are much shorter intervals as you get closer to Central Austin. Look at the map on this page to get a better idea of where they are.
Q: I see the rail line passes through Cedar Park, but there's no station. Why?
A: The City of Cedar Park pulled out of the Capital Metro service area in 1998. However, the city may eventually reach a deal with the transit agency to pay an annual fee for a station.
Read more...
Capital Metro prepares to launch rail line
From KVUE, March 3, 2009...
Capital Metro is ready for the big kickoff of its new rail line serve on March 30th, and they want the public to be ready to ride as well.
It's holding a special meeting Tuesday night to let potential riders and members of the community know what to expect.
This week Cap Metro gave its staffers, along with members of the media, a first hand look at just how the new rail line will work -- taking them on a short trip to Leander and back.
Read more...
Capital Metro is ready for the big kickoff of its new rail line serve on March 30th, and they want the public to be ready to ride as well.
It's holding a special meeting Tuesday night to let potential riders and members of the community know what to expect.
This week Cap Metro gave its staffers, along with members of the media, a first hand look at just how the new rail line will work -- taking them on a short trip to Leander and back.
Read more...
CapMetro commuter rail could be stalled on the tracks
From News 8 Austin, February 27, 2009...
There are roughly 31 days and counting until Capital Metro starts its commuter rail service.
But the transit agency has hit a few bumps in the road. Testing and training continue in the brain center of the rail system.
Read more...
There are roughly 31 days and counting until Capital Metro starts its commuter rail service.
But the transit agency has hit a few bumps in the road. Testing and training continue in the brain center of the rail system.
Read more...
Capital Metro rail to start on time -- but trains could be limited
From KVUE, February 27, 2009...
The Capital Metro rail line from Leander to downtown Austin remains scheduled to begin March 30, but there is a possibility that technical difficulties could limit the number of trains put into service that day.
Friday night marks the last chance to attend an open house for Capital Metro rail, but it's the first time some commuters learned of possible safety issues at certain intersections.
Read more...
The Capital Metro rail line from Leander to downtown Austin remains scheduled to begin March 30, but there is a possibility that technical difficulties could limit the number of trains put into service that day.
Friday night marks the last chance to attend an open house for Capital Metro rail, but it's the first time some commuters learned of possible safety issues at certain intersections.
Read more...
Rail opening could be delayed
From statesman, February 27, 2009...
With testing and training behind schedule and troubles with signals, Capital Metro's passenger rail line might miss its March 30 opening date, agency officials say. Or the agency might initially run trains only southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening.
That would be a change from the intended operating plan for the 32-mile, Leander-to-downtown-Austin line, which is to have seven trains running south from Leander in the morning and three going the opposite way and then seven trains outbound from downtown in the evening rush hour and three coming south from Leander.
Read more...
With testing and training behind schedule and troubles with signals, Capital Metro's passenger rail line might miss its March 30 opening date, agency officials say. Or the agency might initially run trains only southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening.
That would be a change from the intended operating plan for the 32-mile, Leander-to-downtown-Austin line, which is to have seven trains running south from Leander in the morning and three going the opposite way and then seven trains outbound from downtown in the evening rush hour and three coming south from Leander.
Read more...
Central Texas drivers should prepare for commuter rails
From KEYE, February 23, 2009...
Capital Metro warns drivers who might be on a 'track' with tragedy. The transportation agency that serves the Austin metropolitan area is getting its fleet of six commuter trains ready to roll out for the first-of-its-kind mass transit on the rails here in Central Texas.
The Red Line is slated to go online March 30th, and will run from Leander to Downtown Austin, and back. Cap Metro is conducting final tests of the hardware and all appears to be flowing smoothly.
Read more...
Capital Metro warns drivers who might be on a 'track' with tragedy. The transportation agency that serves the Austin metropolitan area is getting its fleet of six commuter trains ready to roll out for the first-of-its-kind mass transit on the rails here in Central Texas.
The Red Line is slated to go online March 30th, and will run from Leander to Downtown Austin, and back. Cap Metro is conducting final tests of the hardware and all appears to be flowing smoothly.
Read more...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Watson proposes changes to CapMetro board
From Austin Business Journal, February 23, 2009...
State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, has proposed changes to the You can watch up to ten companies at a time." Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board that could be the subject of future legislation.
Watson proposes the following makeup of the board:
• 2 of the 3 CAMPO appointments must be from the largest city
• 1 elected official
• 1 person with at least 10 years of financial/accounting experience in public or private sector
• 1 person with at least 10 years of professional staff executive experience in a medium or large government or private sector entity
• Joint appointments — one from each of the following: city of Austin and Williamson County, city of Austin and Travis County, city of Austin and Hays County, and small cities within Capital Metro’s jurisdiction.
Read more...
State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, has proposed changes to the You can watch up to ten companies at a time." Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board that could be the subject of future legislation.
Watson proposes the following makeup of the board:
• 2 of the 3 CAMPO appointments must be from the largest city
• 1 elected official
• 1 person with at least 10 years of financial/accounting experience in public or private sector
• 1 person with at least 10 years of professional staff executive experience in a medium or large government or private sector entity
• Joint appointments — one from each of the following: city of Austin and Williamson County, city of Austin and Travis County, city of Austin and Hays County, and small cities within Capital Metro’s jurisdiction.
Read more...
Rail safety caution ahead of MetroRail
From KXAN, February 18, 2009...
In just weeks the new commuter rail starts moving passengers from Leander to Downtown Austin. However, with more than 40 public crossings, transportation leaders are trying to prevent accidents.
Austin police and officials with Capital Metro warned the public Wednesday about rail safety, on the heels of the official opening of the new MetroRail . Capital Metro has been working with schools along the tracks to make sure the community is aware trains will be running more frequently, faster much quieter, which could lead to tragic consequences if pedestrians and drivers do not stay back.
Read more...
In just weeks the new commuter rail starts moving passengers from Leander to Downtown Austin. However, with more than 40 public crossings, transportation leaders are trying to prevent accidents.
Austin police and officials with Capital Metro warned the public Wednesday about rail safety, on the heels of the official opening of the new MetroRail . Capital Metro has been working with schools along the tracks to make sure the community is aware trains will be running more frequently, faster much quieter, which could lead to tragic consequences if pedestrians and drivers do not stay back.
Read more...
Capital Metro increases rail testing as launch approaches
From KEYE, February 18, 2009...
The scheduled debut of the Capital Metro rail line may start on Monday, March 30, but trains will start running on the tracks even sooner.
Starting Sunday, Feb. 22, expect to see more of the rail trains when Capital Metro begins more testing in the morning, middle of the day and afternoon.
The Red Line will run on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Leander and Downtown Austin. Meanwhile the Austin Police Department, Austin Independent School District, Capitol Metro and the City of Austin Transportation Department want to remind you about rail safety and enforcement actions for violations regarding railroad crossings and property.
Read more...
The scheduled debut of the Capital Metro rail line may start on Monday, March 30, but trains will start running on the tracks even sooner.
Starting Sunday, Feb. 22, expect to see more of the rail trains when Capital Metro begins more testing in the morning, middle of the day and afternoon.
The Red Line will run on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Leander and Downtown Austin. Meanwhile the Austin Police Department, Austin Independent School District, Capitol Metro and the City of Austin Transportation Department want to remind you about rail safety and enforcement actions for violations regarding railroad crossings and property.
Read more...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
New Cedar Park transit plan in need of funding
From statesman, February 2, 2009...
About a decade ago, Cedar Park residents decided to try to spur development with a portion of the city's sales tax that was going to public transportation, so they voted to sever ties with Capital Metro.
The move helped lead to new businesses, jobs, a population boom that doubled the city's size to more than 52,000 residents — and eventually a demand for, well, public transportation.
Now city officials are looking for ways to pay for a proposed transit system that would shuttle residents around town during peak hours and stop at one of Capital Metro's park-and-ride lots, where they could get transit service to Austin.
Read more...
About a decade ago, Cedar Park residents decided to try to spur development with a portion of the city's sales tax that was going to public transportation, so they voted to sever ties with Capital Metro.
The move helped lead to new businesses, jobs, a population boom that doubled the city's size to more than 52,000 residents — and eventually a demand for, well, public transportation.
Now city officials are looking for ways to pay for a proposed transit system that would shuttle residents around town during peak hours and stop at one of Capital Metro's park-and-ride lots, where they could get transit service to Austin.
Read more...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Capital Metro holds mock crash test of light rail
From KEYE, January 29, 2009...
Some Leander high school students helped Capital Metro prepare Thursday for an emergency in which they simulated the new light rail train hitting a car.
The test of the MetroRail system showed how emergency crews would respond if a train hit a car on the tracks at the entrance of the Leander station.
Read more...
Some Leander high school students helped Capital Metro prepare Thursday for an emergency in which they simulated the new light rail train hitting a car.
The test of the MetroRail system showed how emergency crews would respond if a train hit a car on the tracks at the entrance of the Leander station.
Read more...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Austin asks for $1-Billion From Federal Government
From KXAN, January 22, 2009...
The City of Austin is asking for more than $1 billion in economic stimulus projects in the latest wish list released from the U.S. Conference of Mayors .
The list covers ready-to-go projects, if local municipalities receive money from the federal government to them. The projects would create jobs and stimulate the local economy, according to the report?s synopsis.
Austin?s list of requests covers city projects, as well as projects from the Austin Independent School District and Capital Metro . The requests include various amounts of money, anywhere from $25 million for a new public safety training facility for the Austin Police Department to $886,000 for a new disc golf course, complete with a pro-shop.
Read more...
The City of Austin is asking for more than $1 billion in economic stimulus projects in the latest wish list released from the U.S. Conference of Mayors .
The list covers ready-to-go projects, if local municipalities receive money from the federal government to them. The projects would create jobs and stimulate the local economy, according to the report?s synopsis.
Austin?s list of requests covers city projects, as well as projects from the Austin Independent School District and Capital Metro . The requests include various amounts of money, anywhere from $25 million for a new public safety training facility for the Austin Police Department to $886,000 for a new disc golf course, complete with a pro-shop.
Read more...
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