Trains – for the second time in history – have added to Leander’s ability to draw a crowd.
Before sunrise Monday, 54 passengers rolled out of Capital Metro’s Leander Park and Ride Station as the first-ever passengers on the long-awaited MetroRail passenger train.
There were a few early-morning commuters, but the majority of passengers were there to participate in the historic first ride of the Austin area commuter train.
Rail service began almost without any company fanfare – a drastic difference than the grand opening celebration originally planned for the expected March 2009 opening.
After Cap Metro addressed multiple safety issues, the Federal Railway Administration gave approval March 5 for the passenger rail service.
The first four trains to leave the Leander station carried 132 passengers and five bicycles, according to initial counts by Cap Metro Service Analysis Manager Jennifer Govea.
Mayor John Cowman, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Fielder and Urban Affairs Director Pix Howell were among the first passengers.
Cowman, a vocal proponent of regional transportation and member of Cap Metro’s board of directors, said he was glad to see rail service begin.
Two Leander residents, Betty Saenz and Brian Miller, worked Monday morning as Cap Metro ambassadors, ready to help passengers familiarize themselves with the train and ticketing process.
Saenz, a Realtor, said this was the second time Leander has made history because of a train.
Leander officially became a town in 1882 after the townspeople of Bagdad decided they did not want train tracks to come through their town.
So the track was laid one mile east of the town and Leander began to grow. Bagdad was absorbed into the new town.
While neither Saenz nor Miller, who both work from home, plan to ride the train, both said they are supporters of rail and public transportation and look forward to an expanded schedule.
Carl Wake, a candidate for City Council Place 3, took the 6 a.m. train to his job near the Howard Avenue station.
“I plan on riding the train as often as possible,” he said. “I will see a fairly decent savings in the way of gas, wear and tear and tolls.”
Kathleen McElwaine has commuted on Cap Metro buses for the last two years. To fellow commuters and those who follow her online blog buspaintings.blogspot.com, she’s been known as the bus artist (featured in the Oct. 29 Leander Ledger).
Monday she began a new era – as the train artist.
McElwaine said recent medical issues have impacted how much time and energy she has to paint, but plans to continue painting during her commute.
Sitting across the aisle was Joel Aud, whose office is two blocks from the Highland Mall station.
He is planning to ride the train regularly.
“Why not? It gives me an extra hour of reading time every day,” he said.
Many passengers rode the train to satisfy their curiosity.
Ryan Rickels drove from Pflugerville in time for the 6 a.m. train just to “see what’s it’s all about.”
He said he had never used public transportation before.
Dean Woodley drove from Austin with his 6-year-old son Thomas to ride the train before school.
“He’s been waiting to ride the train,” Dean Woodley said. “He’s been asking me now, Dad, now? And, we finally can.”