This is a reason why the Austin MetroRail route should be expanded. It should expand toward our other neighboring cities like Manor, Elgin, Kyle, Taylor, Round Rock, Georgetown etc. Especially since Austin is growing, the population is as well. According to the 2010 Census, Austin’s population has increase by nearly half a million. No wonder there is more traffic! Austin needs to expand its transportation system because with this type of growth and with new developments for new schools and new residency buildings there is going to be more demand. We need modern transportation to help people get to their jobs, schools, pick up their kids from daycare, even make a run to the grocery store. Not only will it be convenient for people not having to use their cars (Let’s face it Gas isn’t cheap) and to have easy access to public transportation, but it will also get more car traffic out of the streets, and we will decrease pollution in the air.
The
City of Austin has shown new maps that demonstrate the addition of 10 miles to
the route in place. According to the Austin American Statesman the “newest map shows rail lines reaching Southpark Meadows
shopping center in far south Austin, MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) near West Fifth
Street and at West 35th Street, the Triangle on Guadalupe Street and
MetroRail's Crestview Station on North Lamar Boulevard.” It is a start in the
right direction. Some people are opposed to this because they feel that if an
Austin MetroRail station is too close to their neighborhood it is not going to
look right. I do not think that should be a problem, it is not as if the station
is going to be right outside of people’s homes. I am in total agreement with
the expansion of the MetroRail, and if there was a MetroRail station near my
house I would take the joyride every day.
As the driver of a gas-guzzler, I completely support Cynthia Oviedo’s post advocating the expansion of the Austin MetroRail route to urban areas. Cynthia mentions the buses encountering less traffic, having comfortable seating, along with cool and clean air conditioning with free wireless internet. Although I ultimately support the expansion of the bus route because of the benefits to the environment and saving money on gas, these accommodations definitely caught my attention and are a wonderful benefit to an already advantageous system of transportation.
ReplyDeleteCynthia then goes on to mention that getting off at the Howard Station leaves you in a “deserted” area. Her defense to this situation is that people without a vehicle have no transportation from this station. Although this is a good point, I find that the fact that people have to “cross under MoPac” to get to a more populated area poses much danger to these pedestrians since Austin has a tremendous amount of traffic. This traffic is in turn filled with people, who in all honesty, are not paying close attention to the road.
Even though it is evident that Austin is growing by the increased amount of traffic, I really appreciate that Cynthia provided a link to the 2010 Census. This illustrates that she has taken the time to provide credibility to her statement which in turn reflects, to a small degree, her support for the expansion of the bus route. Anyhow, with a growing population, the city will respond by opening new schools and services to accommodate the public. The expansion of the bus route will be of great convenience to Austinites as well as to the city itself by decreasing highway congestion and minimizing our carbon footprints.
I appreciate that before closing her argument, Cynthia provided information about where the expansion of the bus route currently stands by informing us that ten miles have already been added to the bus route. I look forward to the continued expansion of the bus route to, as I have already mentioned in agreement with Cynthia, decrease traffic and pollution as well as to be of great convenience to Austin’s growing population.
In response to Cynthia’s post “Let’s Take a Joyride!” she goes in depth on how an expanded Austin MetroRail would be a great advantage for us and I couldn’t agree more.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the gas prices lately? They are just burning a hole in my pocket and laughing at my sad face as I drive off from an overpriced gas station. With the growing population which means more cars and more unbearable traffic, Cynthia explained some great wins for riding public transportation.
Cynthia had some credible knowledge on our Austin MetroRail. Considering the fact she pointed out that most stops will leave you walking and by walking I mean you better have some good shoes on because your destination will be far. I agree that expanding the route could only have a good outcome considering the recent boom in population as shown by Cynthia’s article on the Texas census. An expanded route will get people where they need to go. This brings another one of her points out that an expanded Austin MetroRail “will get more car traffic out of the streets” and “will decrease pollution in the air.” How can someone say no to that!? Texas traffic is unbearable and anything that can ease that slow snail moving traffic is awesome in my book.
Throughout her post she stated many more valid points on why she supports an expanded Austin MetroRail and I like how her statements can all be credited by the other article she had used. In my opinion I would definitely take that joyride and keep my pockets and the Earth happy.