Where's the Streetcar?

Portland, Ore.'s streetcar line is popular with riders. (Photo by Maggie Gardner)

Is a November voter referendum for a Central Austin streetcar still a realistic goal?

That's what citizens closely watching the Transit Working Group are now wondering. Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organiza­tion Chair Kirk Watson has been facilitating recent weekly sessions to craft a better CAMPO "decision tree" process – toward Watson's oft-stated goals of greater rationality, public accountability, and transparency. But it's slow, deliberate going. This Monday, TWG members and a sizable audience endured overlong citizen presentations unconnected to the critical-path work at hand – a nod to public "inclusiveness" knocked out during a meeting that Watson had to miss.

Meanwhile, five months have rolled by since Mayor Will Wynn called for a fast-track decision-making process leading to a November 2008 voter referendum on an ultralight-rail circulator (streetcar) serving Downtown. (Aligning the required public transit authorization vote with the presidential election is optimal for voter turnout.)

Once a CAMPO process is perfected, the TWG will use it to consider individual transit proposals. Many assume that the Austin streetcar will be job No. 1. But several other regional rail proposals also are under discussion – including a commuter line to Elgin – which could muddy matters and critically delay a decision on a streetcar line. At present, it appears uncertain whether a sufficiently sound and comprehensive streetcar proposal will be ready to present to the TWG once it's finalized a decision tree – which could take until May.

The Transit Working Group's recommendation still must go to the CAMPO board, for another round of decision-making and a vote. Should a streetcar proposal actually make it through and get the green light by July or August, scant time will remain to launch and conduct an effective public awareness and education campaign. Before voting Nov. 11 on a transit proposal likely to cost upward of $100 million, voters deserve complete information on the need, proposed route, technology, operating and oversight agencies, timeline, and – critical – costs and financing structure.

Both Wynn and fellow streetcar booster Brewster McCracken have indicated that the city is busily working on a detailed route and financing proposal. Let's hope they pull that rabbit out of the hat soon – like at the Mon­day, April 14, TWG meeting. McCracken said new City Manager Marc Ott has provided informed energy and leadership for assembling the team of city staff and consultants the project will require.

"Yes, I think it is still very realistic that we could have a voter referendum on an urban and suburban passenger-rail plan in Novem­ber," said Wynn on Tuesday. "Not everyone will agree with me. I think the decision tree will be finished in two weeks. Just in time for ROMA to make their findings and presentation public." The urban designers are working on recommendations to the city for streetcar planning, as an extension of their work on the Downtown Austin Plan. For transit junkies, the next several TWG sessions should make 9am Monday morning at City Hall an exciting start to the week.

Update: Due to Mayor Wynn and Senator Watson being unable to attend the next two TWG meetings (April 14 & 21st) we will instead be holding a single meeting on Friday, April 18 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at City Hall.