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Austin to Leander Commuter Rail - On Track to Open March 30, 2009

By
Real Estate Agent with Gaston & Sheehan Realty

Excitement is growing as we count down to March 30, 2009, the scheduled date for The Capital MetroRail service to begin transporting commuters in comfort and style along the Red Line. This long awaited project, approved by voters in 2004, is a 32-mile passenger rail system built on pre-existing freight rail lines that will run between Downtown Austin and the city of Leander.

The Red Line will serve nine stations providing convenient service every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. The 9 stop station locations are Leander, Lakeline, Highland, Plaza Saltillo, Howard, Burnet/Kramer, Crestview, MLK Jr., and Downtown/Convention Center Station. The two main termini are Leander Station and Park & Ride (north) and Downtown Station (south)

Stations in more suburban settings will feature special shuttle buses to whisk you to your final destination; more urban locations will be accessible by foot, bike and bus. Each station will feature an accessible platform with varying canopy designs, ticket vending machines, bike racks, and informational displays.

metrorail austin leander

The MetroRail vehicles have a capacity of 200 passengers, 108 seated and 92 standing. Daily ridership is projected at 2,000 boardings per day which means about 1,000 people a day round-trip.

Priority seating areas are available for wheelchairs. A "VIP section" with room for laptop use with WiFi access is also included. Bike racks, luggage racks, high back racks, and low floor entry for easy access. metrorail map

Fares as shown on the Capital Metro website:

  • MetroAccess 10-ride Ticket Book $7.00
  • MetroRail Adult (1 Zone $1.00, 2 Zones $1.50)
  • MetroAccess-certified individuals, seniors (65 and older), disability fare card holders, children under six: FREE

Travel Time In Minutes:  LINK 

The MetroRail project costs stands at approximately $105 million. Included in the price is $32.3 million for six self-propelled diesel-electric rail cars. The entire project is funded from an existing one cent sales tax that Capital Metro reaps from the region it serves, government grants and rider fares.

The MetroRail Trains are Built by Stadler in Germany with design and engineering provided by Interfleet Technology, the GTW--2 is loosely based upon NJ Transit's RiverLINE Stadler/Bombardier GTW--but our trains are a lot bigger and features a totally new carbody.

  • Owner/Operator is The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • Each train runs on two 400HP diesel electric engines.
  • Overall length 134 feet, 1.8 inches
  • Overall width 9 feet, 8 inches
  • Projected operating speed: 60 - 75 miles per hour

With the growth in Austin and surrounding cities, it's clear future rail expansion will be necessary. Two potential future lines have been identified as being good fits for MetroRails: The Mocan Corridor could extend from Austin out to Round Rock. The Austin-Manor Station could extend from Austin as far as Elgin and Manor.

If you are relocating to our area or already here and would like more information about neighborhoods or assistance in buying or selling a home, I welcome your call or email. I know and specialize in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander or Hutto.

Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR, REALTOR - Selling Texas Since 1995 - Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Call me direct: 512-217-2435 email: kmstaha@aol.com website: www.karenstaha.com

 

Comments (8)

Associate Broker Falmouth MA Cape Cod Heath Coker
https://teamcoker.robertpaul.com - Falmouth, MA
Heath Coker Berkshire Hathaway HS Robert Paul Prop

Yea Austin!  And you might add this to the Positive Real Estate News group on AR since you only have it in 4 groups.

Oct 20, 2008 09:56 AM
Karen Staha
Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Round Rock, TX
CRS, GRI, ABR, REALTOR, Austin & Surrounding Areas Texas

Thank you Heath for the invite.  I've just joined and posted to the Positive Real Estate News Group.  Our MetroRail System is an exciting new transportation option and a big step in the right direction to support the regions growth. 

Oct 20, 2008 10:06 AM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Karen, I really like love the idea of light rail.  Wish we had it here.

Oct 21, 2008 03:54 AM
Karen Staha
Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Round Rock, TX
CRS, GRI, ABR, REALTOR, Austin & Surrounding Areas Texas

Shirley:  25 years ago I never dreamed Austin would be all about toll roads and metrorails someday.  Back then we didn't even know what traffic congestion was.  You might not have lightrail but lucky you to have a riverwalk. 

Oct 21, 2008 01:05 PM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Karen, I remember Austin when the only transit system was I-35  and a few city buses. Wow it has grown.

Oct 21, 2008 02:41 PM
Jason Carpentier
RealEstateGame.net - San Antonio, TX

I can't wait to see this thing in motion.  I hope it seriously cuts down on the traffic in that area.  I think that the light rail is going to prove to be a great tool for growth for the Austin/Leander area.

Nov 06, 2008 01:39 PM
Karen Staha
Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Round Rock, TX
CRS, GRI, ABR, REALTOR, Austin & Surrounding Areas Texas

Jason:  I was just reading the other day that the commuter rail won't provide much of any relief in traffic on roads like Hwy 183 and Mopac.  We are growing faster than our infrastructure can keep pace it seems.

Nov 07, 2008 01:28 PM
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Apr 14, 2010 10:27 PM
#8