61 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

CBS Austin, 11/4/16:

 

 

CapMetro not ready for light rail

 

The city of Austin is voting on a major transportation bond, but it does not include light rail.

Update

[KevinKorell]

Austin, TX American-Statesman, 2/13/18:

 

 

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FIRST LOOK: What does leaked plan mean for light rail in Austin?

 

 

 

Capital Metro didn’t intend for the map to become public, first of all. And it has the word “draft” marked in light gray across the various rail and bus lines arrayed across the Austin area.

 

Even so, light rail supporters in Austin Tuesday were atwitter — literally — after a copy of the proposed Project Connect “high capacity transit system” map emerged on social media.

 

 

Story

[Sloan]

 

 

Is Austin finally ready for light rail? The answer may come in 2020.

 

The gloom settled in quickly at Threadgill’s near downtown after the early votes came in on Austin’s 2014 light rail bond proposition.

The three dozen or so people on hand, including then-Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, drinks in hand, soon broke into clutches of quiet conversation. What was billed as a victory party took on the aspect of a wake.

https://www.mystates...VF5HOkPD4SpDRP/

 

Like Nashville, this project is way too ambitious.  In the intervening two years prior to voting, nay-sayers will have lots of opportunity to thwart the project.  Much better, IMHO, to build a short trolley line—the way  Charlotte did—and expand from there.   Sloan

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 1/16/20:

 

 

  Cap Metro to consider light rail in downtown Austin  

 

 

Officials from the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro) and Austin, Texas, earlier this week unveiled details of potential rail expansion plans that could be part of a future citywide effort to create high-capacity transit in the area.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

KVUE-TV, Channel 24 in Austin, TX, 1/15/20:

 

 

   Mass transit: How Austin compares to other cities with light rail systems

 

 

 

On Tuesday, Austin city leaders unveiled a transportation plan that looks at adding light rail options to the city for public transportation.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

KXAN-TV, Channel 36 in Austin, TX, 1/14/20:

 

 

A subway in Austin? City leaders explore massive transit expansion 

 

 

After months of speculation and rumors, officials Tuesday offered a glimpse at a massive transportation plan — which includes a downtown subway — aimed to usher in a new generation of transit for a growing city.

 

This story

[KevinKorell]

KXAN-TV, Channel 36 in Austin, TX, 3/6/20:

 

  CapMetro’s Project Connect includes light rail with an underground tunnel 

 

 

Capital Metro could dig deep to try to reduce congestion on Austin roads. It released its latest Project Connect plan that it’ll officially present to Austin City Council on Monday.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

Austin, TX American-Statesman, 3/6/20:

 

 

Cap Metro recommends downtown subway system in multibillion-dollar light rail system 

 

 

Capital Metro envisions a multibillion-dollar light rail system for the future of transit in Austin.

 

Cap Metro staff are calling for creating a light rail transit system that includes a downtown subway system, underground city tunnels, at least one new bridge across Lady Bird Lake and a rail line to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

 

More

[CNJRoss]

Statesman, Austin, TX 10/9/20
 

Light rail transit system could bump Austin tax rate 22%

 

 

Capital Metro has estimated its proposed $9.6 billion transit plan would cost the average Austin homeowner about $300 a year.

 

The proposed 9- to 10-cent bump to the city of Austin’s property tax rate would increase the city tax rate by between 21% and 22.5%, a considerable jump that would trigger a tax rate rollback election under state law.

 

SNIP

 

State law requires taxing entities to hold elections when they propose increasing property tax revenue by more than 3.5%. Local officials are targeting November to place the question before voters.

 

More here.

[KevinKorell]

Austin, TX Monitor, 5/7/20:

 

  Capital Metro adds new light rail line to Project Connect recommendation    

 

 

 

An update to regional population estimates has prompted the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make a major change to its proposal for Project Connect.

 

Update