Commuter rail falls behind schedule

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The $105 million commuter rail start-up is lagging behind schedule. In the lobby of Capital Metro's administration building, the large sign with a countdown to the Metro Rail start date is now blank. The Metro Rail was scheduled to start moving passengers from Leander to Downtown Austin on March 30. With things the way they are now, it looks like it might not be until later than that date.

Training of engineers and dispatchers began six weeks late, which would have left just two weeks of full-fledged test runs. Metro Rail's Red Line was first set to open in Spring 2008. The date has been moved three times, to Fall 2008, March 30 and now to April.

With more than 40 public crossings, transportation leaders have some concerns about accidents. However, the slowdown of the Red Line , according to Capital Metro Spokesman Adam Shaivitz, is due to federal and state investigations of mid-February operations violations during train testing.

Capital Metro's rail contractor, Veolia Transportation , received notice Friday from the Federal Railroad Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation that they were looking into an incident in which two rail engineers entered a section of track without proper approval.

According to a Veolia media announcement issued Friday, two engineers were testing the system in two cars in Leander. They were required to get permission from a dispatcher and a field controller before reversing direction but, instead, sought approval from only the dispatcher. Officials said workers had secured several miles of track during the incident to make sure no other rail cars were in the area.

A TxDOT inspector reported 19 potential violations concerning the incident. Veolia, which is providing 11 engineers for the system, could face state and federal fines when the investigation is done

Capital Metro will still hold its public Metro Rail celebration on March 28, which includes festivities at all nine stations with demonstration rides.

Capital Metro has been working with schools along the tracks to make sure the community is aware trains will be running more frequently, faster much quieter, which could lead to tragic consequences if pedestrians and drivers do not stay back.

A one-way trip from Leander to Austin will cost $1.50.