Ad slump foreseen on Metro
As if things could get much worse for the region’s public transportation system. Now the agency expects the recession to take a sizable bite out of Metro’s advertising income next year.
Granted, the amount of money generated by selling ad space on the buses, MetroLink trains, stations and shelters is a small percentage of its overall cash flow. The agency just passed a $189.2 million operating budget. But at a time when the agency is laying off 500 people and bus service is being slashed, every penny counts.
Metro spokeswoman Dianne Williams said income from advertising sales expected to be $380,000 during the year that begins July 1. The forecast for the current fiscal year is a little over $603,000. Part of the reason is that the agency is parking dozens of buses until its overall economic health improves.
The Ride Guys noticed there already seem to be fewer ads in some MetroLink stations and trains. Last week, some stations between downtown St. Louis and Maplewood had few ads to speak of. One MetroLink train had mostly house ads, meaning those that promote MetroLink.
“It is due to the economic downturn,” Williams said of the expected ad slump. “It is a tough economy to sell advertising in.”
Metro is focused more on immediate problems. On Friday, the agency announced that Missouri House Republicans have redirected how federal stimulus dollars should be spent - just days after pledging to support $20 million in one-time funding to St. Louis Metro.
The latest House bill does not include transit funding for Metro. Ride is trying to verify.
How much does Metro need to advertise anyway? What’s the cost of the quoted advertising income?
It is a shame that people cut back on advertising in a tuff economy. Most don’t get it, the first thing people do is cut back on their advertising. That is the last thing that you want to do. Though most advertising is so high priced that it can not be effective. Frequency, frequency, frequency..
Yet another reason for Metro to ask for MORE, I am sure the budget will need more now that they are expecting this.
Hi my Name is Gregory Dodson and I am the Sales Manager for Lamar Advertising in St. Louis. I take care of all the advertising on the Buses and Metrolink for Metro. I can be reached at 314-853-5436 for any information you might need to understand how advertising on the Metro Buses and Metrolink can work for you. Thank You, Gregory Dodson
To b7bh757:
It’s not that Metro advertises. The problem is that metro sells space on its buses and trains for OTHER companies to advertise. Since THOSE companies aren’t advertising, that means that Metro is losing the income.
Just another proof that nobody needs “Metro”, even the advertisers are saying “NO”. It’s time to disband the agency.
Why is it some cities don’t seem to have money for anything; bridges, metro transit, stadiums, hosuing, and retail? While other same size cities are building new bridges, constructing downtown housing and retail, expanding metro transits, and other downtown and metro construction.
The reason that other cities are able to move forward with infrastructure improvements and mass transit expansions are that their local and county governments are actually interested in doing what’s best for their communities, not what’s best for their friends and relatives wallets. The saddest part of the whole Metro mess is that the poorest members of the area are being held hostage by the worthless politicians and Metro officials (appointed by the politicians) unwillingness to step aside and let someone who actually cares about someone besides themselves take the steps necessary to fix things. It’s a tough ecomony and St. Louis County voters cannot be expected to continue to fund the local politicians desires to redirect as much federal capital funding for mass transit and infrastructure into the coffers of their friends and relatives. Charley Dooley must go, Metro’s Board must go, and Metro’s senior management must go - then we can move forward. The willingness of these people to hold the poorest of St. Louis hostage only further reinforces the point.
Residents of the City of St. Louis elect their Mayor and gazillion-member City Council. Stop blaming their problem on St. Louis County, or even St. Charles County. How are the poorest being held hostage by residents of surrounding municipalities? It just does not make sense.