CapMetro closer to a commuter rail

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Capital Metro is one step closer to opening the commuter rail. Wednesday, Capital Metro announced that construction on the Downtown Station is finished. The station sits right outside the Austin Convention Center in Fourth Street.

When the entire rail is complete, nine stations will sit along the 32 mile route from Leander to Downtown Austin. The entire trip will cost commuters $1.50. Shorter trips will cost $1.00. Capital Metro plans to open the rail on March 30, 2009. "The downtown station is going to be the major destination for mainly everyone who's going on the commuter rail," said Misty Whited with Capital Metro. "They'll be coming from Leander to downtown, and this is the key destination for people."

Downtown residents are looking forward to the rail and having more transportation options. "I'm a believer that we're hurting the environment and I think the rail is a step in the right direction," said downtown resident Jerry Don Aguirre. Before the rail opens next March, the public will have an opportunity to attend an open house to see how it all works.