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.

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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.

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Worst Texas counties for rail safety

From News 8 Austin, January 8, 2009...

A report released Thursday finds Harris County is the most dangerous in Texas for railway accidents.

The Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Association said Harris County had nearly 1,400 reported incidents from 1998 through 2007.

Those incidents include derailments, collisions, pedestrian trespassing and hazardous material releases. The group says the accidents killed nearly 100 people and left more than 1,100 injured.

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