I’ve been riding the train in Austin for over a year now, and have some observations and tips for new riders. Capital Metro has riding instructions, but some things aren’t said, or aren’t emphasized, so here goes… These are my suggestions for adding to the How To Ride guide.
Step 1: Buy your fare. If you buy your ticket from a platform or station Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) you don’t need to validate the ticket on the platform. All tickets and passes issued from the TVM are validated upon purchase.
Don’t get on the train without a ticket or pass, Capital Metro and APD do random fare checks, and the fine is way more than what you would have spent on the fare.
Leave yourself enough time to get the ticket from the TVM before the train is scheduled to leave, and assume there will be a line of others in front of you who are buying a ticket for the first time.
Step 3: Locate your train and wait safely. What they’re suggesting here is that you should arrive in time to be on the platform when the train arrives. Running up to the platform as the train is sounding it’s horn to leave the station and shouting to passengers already on board to hold the door for you just means you will make everyone else as late as you are.
The train usually arrives a couple minutes ahead of it’s scheduled departure time to allow for passengers to get on and off. If the door is closed when you walk up to the train, press the green button on the door to open it.
Step 4: Let other passengers exit before you board the train. It is easier and faster for everyone if you allow other passengers to get off the train before you board.
There’s no smoking on the train, or on the platform.
Posted on 3/28/2012
Where’s step 2?!