MetroRail delayed again

AUSTIN (KXAN) - One day after a new announcement of a possible start date for its MetroRail line, the newest Capital Metro Board member said he hopes Capital Metro can honor its word.

Tuesday, new Capital Metro Board Member Chris Riley said he, along with other community members are frustrated with the rail line's progress.

"At least now we have some idea that it will open in our lifetimes'," Riley said. "I personally do think we need to see some changes if we don't stick to the schedule that we're setting now."

Monday, Capital Metro pushed the opening of the MetroRail Commuter train until the first quarter of the year 2010.

The delay is due to new software programming that has to be done. The modifications are expected to cost between 750-thousand and one million dollars. The announcement was made during today’s Capital Metro Board Meeting.

The board, except for Riley, voted to officially adopt the budget for next year. The budget includes $2.6 million of Federal stimulus money that would shore up CapMetro’s operating budget.

Just before the vote, Board chairwoman, Margaret Gomez objected to using the Stimulus funds for ongoing operations and moved to raise fares in January, rather than August. She wants to use the stimulus funds for the MetroRail project.

CapMetro just held public hearings to change the date for raising fares, but voted to delay the fare increase until August, as it had originally planned. New public hearings will be scheduled to discuss the fare increase.

One of Capital Metro’s strategic goals is to double ridership by 2025, but next years budget reduces the hours of service by five percent.

The new budget passed with four votes. Chris Riley was the sole “no” vote. Board members Mike Martinez and Johnny Trevino were absent.