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Austin's Commuter Rail Is A Monument To Government Waste


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#1 Sloan

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Posted 30 July 2016 - 06:55 AM

 

SNIP:

 

In fairness, the station was closed that day until 4pm. But that just begged the question—why would a train station be closed all Saturday morning and afternoon in a major metro  area? Meanwhile, the platform offered an unobstructed view of adjacent US-183, where, in the course of 10 minutes, dozens of cars passed by in each direction.

Anti, but well-reasoned, CapMetro editorial.  It is disappointing that economic development has not occurred in concert with construction of Austin's rail service.  :wacko:   Sloan

 

Forbes editorial


Edited by KevinKorell, 30 July 2016 - 10:50 AM.
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#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 30 July 2016 - 10:55 AM

This is a flaw that I've wondered about since Cap Metro started this service. Yes they have Saturday service, but it is only in the afternoon and evening hours. Nothing the first half of the day.  Perhaps their research found that there was only a need for rail service when people go out to the clubs on Saturday night?   And there is no service on Sundays at all.  Plus, the endpoint station Leander does not get all trains; some turn at the second to last station which is near a shopping mall. That shopping mall could and should generate enough passengers to justify running trains all weekend long.



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#3 KevinKorell

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 03:03 AM

Another Forbes piece, 10/11/16:

 

Austin's Rail Transit Boondoggle, Further Explained


Several months ago, while living in Austin, I wrote a critique of the city’s commuter rail line. In a lengthy op-ed, I described the train as “a monument to government waste” and “perhaps America’s leading rail transit failure.” The reaction was swift and visceral. The article’s comments section filled up with locals both for and against the train.

Continue here.



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