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The population of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor is expected to double over the next 20 years to almost 5 million people—the size of Dallas-Ft. Worth today.
Given current levels of congestion on IH 35, the Corridor’s main artery, imagine trying to move twice as many people.
During peak congestion on the highway, in the morning and afternoon commute, a single freeway lane carries approximately 2,300 people per hour.
Commuter Rail could carry the equivalent of two additional lanes of traffic or more (depending on number of train cars and scheduling), effectively adding to the total capacity of the transportation corridor.
While many people would use the proposed service to and from their jobs, surveys show that most riders would use it for other reasons: tourism, shopping, recreation, visiting friends and relatives, etc.
With over 200,000 students and faculty traveling to one of the 17 colleges or universities within a mile and a half of the proposed rail line, many would be able to study or prepare lesson plans en route. Still others would use the train to avoid the hassle of trying to find parking spots in and around area campuses.
Surveys have shown that people will use the service to visit doctors or hospitals—a potentially valuable amenity as the region’s population, like the rest of the nation, grows older.
Additional reasons to take the train:
- Increased employment opportunities
- Dependable and predictable (i.e., time certain) travel option
- Eliminate the stress of driving
- Save money by reducing out-of-pocket commute costs (e.g., fuel and vehicle operating costs)