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06.16.2009 11:22 am

Thursday: Dump the Pump

By Elisa Crouch
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Thursday is Dump the Pump Day — the national effort to get people out of their cars and on public transportation. Transit agencies nationwide will be promoting buses and light trail. Other groups will be promoting bicycling and walking.

In St. Louis, Metro will not be offering free transit passes like it did last year. The transit agency is too cash-strapped. “We’re not in a position to offer free rides,” said Angela Fletcher-Mabry, spokeswoman for Metro. But it’s partnering with St. Clair County Transit District to get the word out.    

This past year has been a bitter sweet one for transit agencies. Nationwide, ridership has increased. But nine out of 10 transit agencies have had to raise fares and/or cut service as a result of declining revenue, according to the American Public Transit Association. Transit systems generally rely on property or sales tax revenue  to subsidize their operations, and that revenue is in decline.

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4 comments

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Blog Comments: Rules of the Road

I’m not so sure, when you factor in the time lost, that I don’t save money by driving as opposed to taking a bus (the Metro is not an option for me).

— Tim
12:20 pm June 16th, 2009

COUNT ME IN DUMP THE PUMP! Bicyclist FYI….
I’ve been riding my bike to work 2 or 3 times a week. It has been a good experience for me. first I was not obeying the rules of the road (running stop signals. passing cars on the right when they had a stop) would come across some borderline road rage drivers. I since have begun to take my time enjoy the ride not pulling ahead of vehicles that have already passed me and obey signals. Drivers are courteous if they see you are following the same rules they do.

— tim314
1:27 pm June 16th, 2009

Correction:… “more” drivers are courteous if they see you following the rules……
I also changed my commute times earlier instead of rush hour.

— tim314
3:09 pm June 16th, 2009

tim314 - I’m much more curteous to bike riders that are also courteous to drivers. I don’t like passing the same bike multiple times, but it really makes me mad when they don’t abide by the rules of the road. Yes, you must stop at lights and signs just like cars do.
Anyway, on the topic at hand, I really wish I could take the bus, metro or bike, but with a child I have to pick up at a sitters house, it’s not too doable at this time. Maybe some day since I think it would be great to get in som exercise during my commute!

— Rebecca
12:57 pm June 17th, 2009