By Angela Grant, Correspondent

Capital Metro officials weathered a storm of disgust, frustration and rage Aug. 26 from a crowd of Leander commuters opposed to a preliminary plan to close two bus routes.

About 60 commuters crowded the Leander Public Library, sometimes yelling and heckling Cap Metro representatives, to oppose the transit authority’s proposal to close the 984 NW Direct and 986 Leander Direct routes into Austin. The riders said practical reasons would exclude them from using the remaining commuting options: Expanded service on the 987 Leander/NW Express route and MetroRail.

Riders said those options would significantly increase commute time, would not match their work schedules and leave them with longer walks to bus stops from their offices. Some riders were angry because they perceived Cap Metro was trying to force them to ride MetroRail, which has seen low ridership since opening in April.

Commuter James Crabtree gathered 88 signatures on a petition saying riders believed the changes would “force us onto the train regardless of how it impacts our lives.”

Cap Metro officials said they were trying to increase efficiency, reduce costs and respond to ridership changes across the region, not to force Leander riders onto the train.

“This is not a bus versus rail issue,” Mayor John Cowman said, who announced Aug. 23 that he would step down from his six-year term as the Capital Metro board member representing small cities, including Leander.

Eliminating the 984 and 986 routes would save the transit authority about 2,500 service hours that would go to expand bus service in Manor and Elgin, an underserved area. Each service hour costs Cap Metro about $100.

Trying to calm the unruly crowd, officials stressed the proposal was in preliminary stages and planners would listen to public feedback. Commuters did suggest some alternative ideas that may show up in revisions. For example, commuters said they’d prefer a merger of the 984 and 986 bus routes instead of eliminating them altogether. Another idea was to keep all three routes, but reduce the numbers of trips each day.

Currently, Leander commuters have four options but there aren’t enough riders to fill those routes, said Senior Planner James Gamez. The 984 route serves 75 round-trip riders every day on three buses, which means each bus fills only 25 of its 39 total seats. The 987 also carries about 160 people per day and averages 25 people per trip, while the 986 route transports 45 riders daily but fills only 15 seats per bus.

Cap Metro spokeswoman Misty Whited said more than 180 people ride MetroRail each day from the Leander and Lakeline areas.

Mike Chandler, who has ridden the 984 bus to his downtown job for about two years, said switching to the 987 route would add about one hour to his round-trip commute.

“I will go back to driving instead of commuting if the rail is the only option,” Chandler said. He added he also disliked the idea of riding the 987 route.

Peggy Williams said switching routes would force her to walk through downtown alone in the pre-dawn darkness to get to her office, plus it would add about 30 minutes each way to her commute.

“That’s my time, not their time, they’re trying to chew up,” she said.

Give your feedback

Contact: feedback@capmetro.org

Sept. 13, 5 p.m. until last bus arrives, Leander Station, 800 N. Hwy 183

Sept. 14, 4:30 p.m. until last bus, Lakeline Station, 13701 Lyndhurst St.

Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Capital Metro Headquarters, 2910 E. 5th St.

Sept. 24, Capital Metro Board considers final proposal