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Capital Metro hosted a successful community-wide Connect to the Future workshop on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Austin Convention Center. More than 180 people attended and provided their suggestions on further development of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan. The workshop included a speech by Mayor Will Wynn, an update on the status of current All Systems Go projects and two tabletop group exercises.

Following a successful referendum in November 2004, Capital Metro is working to implement new transit services, including Urban Commuter Rail and Rapid bus service, and is evaluating ways to connect more of the region to these services in the future. As part of this effort, a group of community representatives who serve on the Future Connections Steering Committee has also been reviewing these issues. Their recommendations, in addition to the community feedback collected at this and other workshops, will be incorporated into future plans for the next phases of All Systems Go.

"We are pleased that so many people were able to attend and share their thoughts," said Fred Gilliam, Capital Metro President/CEO. "The Long-Range Transit Plan is moving forward, and the feedback we gained is invaluable. We will carefully consider their input as we determine our priorities for the next phases of All Systems Go, as well as the best ways to utilize Rapid bus and commuter rail to connect core destinations in the future."

Attendees participated in a circulator study exercise to provide feedback on a central Austin circulator system, which will enhance overall connectivity for current and future transit services in the long-range plan, including urban and commuter rail lines. The exercise examined downtown bus transfer facility needs and several areas in central Austin that could benefit from enhanced bus circulators or possibly a modern streetcar.

The study areas included the downtown central business district, the Capitol complex, the University of Texas main campus, the Mueller redevelopment area and east central Austin. Participants drafted circulator maps to help determine where a circulator should be located and the destinations it should serve. Attendees also gave input on route priorities and vehicle preferences, and information was provided for discussion on streetcar or rail options, which would require a future referendum.

A second exercise focused on the All Systems Go plan from a regional perspective.

Participants discussed what they think should come next in the plan, as well as potential future phases and services. They recommended ways to prioritize future phases to best serve the region's evolving transit needs.