MetroRail increased route testing starting Sept. 2nd

Capital Metro is proposing to make schedule adjustments and possibly add trips to the MetroRail service, which would also include adjustments to the rail connector routes as part of the proposed January 2011 service changes. In order to ensure the proposed schedule adjustments to MetroRail service will run smoothly, Capital Metro must conduct dry-run tests of the new proposed schedule.

On Thursday, September 2, 2010, testing of the proposed schedule modifications will be performed during non-revenue hours. Two MetroRail trains will operate from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm from Downtown Station to Lakeline Station. Three MetroRail trains will operate from 7:30 pm to 12:30 am from Downtown Station to Leander Station. Passengers will not be on board during testing, however, all trains will make station stops during the test periods. Freight operations will be scheduled to run from 12:30 am – 4:00 am during this one-day testing. Currently, the freight operating window is from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm and from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am. Because freight trains do not operate on a set schedule, we will not know the exact number
of freight trains or their schedule until the day of testing on September 2.

During this testing, 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.