Matt wrote:
> Subject: [Bikies] How not to help consumers during a gas shortage:
> I just ran across a page from the Austin Aerican-Statesman
> that supposedly gives consumers advice on how to save
> money on gas:
>
> http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/other/gas.html
>
> There is a link under "tips to save you money" on "public
> transit." I was overjoyed to see a news publication
> actually present "public transit" as a means to save money
> on gas. I clicked on the link and discovered the article
> was disparaging public transit. What a complete waste of
> a great opportunity to help educate the public
Although I agree that it was not the most encouraging commentary (I got the
impression also that this radio show guy was not local to Austin), I wouldn't
characterise it as disparaging, but more that he was making an empirical
observation that most people don't use transit.
Of course, there are things about transit in Austin that Madison would benefit
from emulating.
Capital Metro cash fares are 50 cents for local buses and $1 for express buses
(compared to $1.50 for all buses here), and prepaid fares (what Tim Wong
continues to call "pink tickets" even though they are now magnetic strip cards
;-) ) are half price, i.e., 25 cents or 50 cents. (Paratransit is 60 cents one
way or 10 rides for $3.00.) Unlimited monthly passes are $10 and $17. Service
also appears to be much more frequent (I can't say if this is universally true,
but I spot-checked a route that would have served where my brother lived when
he was in Austin.)
And, unlike foot-dragging Madison, Austin appears that it might actually
finally have rail service soon, although initially limited only to commuter
hours:
----
Turn Drive Time Into My Time
Could it be a dream? You go to work, but youre not stuck in traffic. You dont
check your watch, wondering if youll be late. Instead, you read the sports
section or choose a song on your iPod. You arrive early for a change and are
remarkably stress free.
Soon, sleek new trains and buses will make this dream a reality. Thanks to the
All Systems Go plan that you helped create, you might make Capital Metro your
second car.
----
Capital Metrorail
On Time On Budget
Capital MetroRail is on track for service to begin on the Red Line in 2008.
Sleek, new trains will take you to work in comfort and style, providing you
with high-back seats, bicycle and overhead racks, and Wi-Fi connections. Some
seating areas will feature tray tables. Capital MetroRails initial service
will be during morning and afternoon peak hours. Regular and special shuttle
buses will whisk you to your final destination.
The Red Line will run on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Leander
and Downtown Austin. It will provide convenient service for suburban and
central Austin residents. Future connections are being studied along existing
Capital Metro freight tracks from Downtown to Manor and beyond. Future
extensions along TxDOTs abandoned MoKan corridor are also possible.
----
...and, to please the local BusSheep (mabaaaaa) crowd, they will also be
complementing the rail service with a modified bus rapid transit, with
train-like rubber-tire buses
http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/images/misc_red_bus.jpg, signal priority, and
stations with posted arrival times:
----
What is Capital MetroRapid service?
Capital MetroRapid buses are high-tech vehicles that look like trains. Special
signal priority technology will keep traffic signals green as the buses
approaches major intersections. Capital MetroRapid will get you to your
destination 15 to 20 percent faster.
----
...and streetcars are next on-deck to add to the connections among rail, rapid,
and standard buses.
----
...and longer range plans include regional commuter rail
----
Too bad that all the "Austin of the North" can do is study to death a very
minimal east-west or northeast-west starter rail line. It's all very
discouraging.
Now go have a beer,
Bob Paolino
"Are Canadians just Americans who carry hockey
sticks instead of guns,
or is there more to it than that?"
--"This Canadian Existence"
Wisconsin Public Radio
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