AUSTIN — History will be made Monday morning when the first diesel powered commuter train pulls out of the Leander rail station at 5:25 a.m. David Bedunah of Georgetown plans to be on board.
“I’m just glad it’s finally starting,” he said.
He'll ride the rail the entire 32 miles into downtown Austin. Then walk five blocks to work.
“I don't have to drive and fight the traffic,” said Bedunah. “I can read, sleep or do whatever I want to do.”
Kathleen McElwaine of Leander won't be on that first train. She says she'll be on the last train at 7:10 a.m. from Leander to MLK.
“I'm going to get here at 6:30 to make sure I get a seat,” she said.
Her commute will be 40 minutes. She'll then have to hop on a commuter bus to take her to her job at the University of Texas.
“I think we're moving into the next stage of transit in this area,” said McElwaine. “We need to do it.”
Cap metro's red line will offer service every 35 minutes during rush hour. The trains can travel up to 60 mph. Each train will carry 200 passengers and offers Wi-Fi access. The agency is expecting the trains to be packed the first week and says it is prepared to handle the large crowds.
“We're going to have extra buses at some of our stations that already have bus service,” said Misty Whited with Cap Metro. “We’re going to have extra buses for stations that don’t have bus service.”
Monday's metro rail launch is nearly two years late. And the cost is at least $15 million more than the estimate - even higher if you add up additional costs like park-and-ride lots, connector buses and all rail improvements. Still McElwaine says it's time to get behind the red line
“We've spent the money. It's our train we need to support it.”
The first week the rail will be free. After that you'll have to pay. You can buy passes at ticket vending machine at the stations, H-E-B stores or online.
