MetroRail trains to begin afternoon/evening testing Nov. 16
Faster, more frequent trains prompt another call to safety for motorists and pedestrians
Austin, Texas, November 11, 2009 – Capital MetroRail trains will shift to afternoon/evening testing beginning on Nov. 16. MetroRail trains will be out on the line from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, testing the tentative afternoon schedule for MetroRail service in real-time conditions. The testing also gives DMU train engineers additional practice operating the train at night.
During this testing, freight trains will run from 9 p.m. each evening until 2 p.m. the next day.
MetroRail trains will be traveling at full operating speeds, nearly twice as fast as freight trains. Additionally, train activity will increase significantly.
For these reasons, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to always expect a train, and to stay off the tracks.
Capital Metro is contacting schools and neighborhoods adjacent to the line to inform students and parents, erecting rail safety signs at grade crossings, and working with rail safety advocates in the community to assist the agency in spreading the message.
For the past three years, Capital Metro has worked closely with neighborhoods, schools, community organizations and the Austin Police Department to raise awareness about train safety in advance of the safe arrival of Capital MetroRail in Central Texas . Police will be ticketing motorists who park on the tracks or within 15 feet of the railroad crossing arms.
Learn more about rail safety at http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.
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