The trains are coming! Crestview Station is all systems go.............

We've all heard about the test runs happening around Austin and Cedar Park of the new diesel-electric trains through the middle of the night. Well this past weekend surrounding residents from N Central Austin were able to board and learn about the trains at The Crestview which are scheduled to start running March 31^st.

There was quit a stir in the air, aside from the high winds and rapid temperature drop between leaving my house for coffee and actually arriving at the Crestview Station. The flaw that I learned, and several others, was parking might be a small issue if you live more than a couple of miles away. There were several volunteers flagging us into general parking that most likely will not be available once apartment residence move in and businesses open their doors. However, once aboard I noticed several racks to hang your bicycle if walking to the station is too far.

FARES

Approaching the platform you will find Ticket Vending Machines (TVM's if you want the proper lingo) where you can purchase MetroRail fare tickets. Two-hour passes are available here, or you can purchase a monthly pass at capmetro.org ($36 31-Day Full Fare / Discounts do apply for certain individuals). There are two zones that determine the fare depending on where you catch the train. If you are leaving from The Crestview Station a ‘One Zone' ticket of $1.00 should get you downtown and also valid for specific connector buses. An ‘All Zones' pass of $1.50 would get you from Leander to downtown. (http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-fares.shtml)

TIMES / SCHEDULES

Right now trains are scheduled to run weekdays from 5:40 to 9:40 a.m. and weekday afternoons between 3:45 and 7:45 p.m. My understanding with talking to volunteers was the trains will travel between 30-35 mph, so this is no high speed European bullet train. But neither is MOPAC at rush hour! (http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-schedule.shtml)

Wi-Fi

Now instead of recklessly driving down MOPAC reading email on your Blackberry to the office (admit it, you have done this more than once), simply open you laptop and connect to the available Wi-Fi service provided on board.

TRAINS

On board, the trains looked, felt and smelled new! The seats were comfortable and plenty of leg room even for a tall and lanky former swimmer who is accustom to having his knees smashed. They will hold up to 200 passengers, with 108 seats. As mentioned before bike racks are available inside, along with overhead storage racks. Two diesel-electric engines power the trains and reside in the middle of the two cars parked at the station this morning.

(http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-vehicles.shtml)

All in all residence walking around seemed at least intrigued by the opportunity of the new public transit option. Time will tell on whether or not Austinites jump on board........do you have plans to ride the train?