Todd Plesko: I've included information about Metro finances that you might find interesting. Here is the link below and then lets chat.

www.metrostlouis.org/insidemetro/newsroom/releases/mfinanceschat.pdf

Curtis Stalter: Is there any economics (higher fares, reduced frequency, shorter routes) that would allow you to continue Express bus service to West County, specifically Eureka, Twin Oaks, West County Rapid? Is it possible to design these routes to be self-supporting?

Specific suggestions: (much) higher fares for Express routes ($90-100 monthly pass); terminate Eureka/Twin Oaks/Big Bend at Grand MetroLink or Market & Jefferson; 10-minute timing on 410X is GREAT, but excessive. You never fill a bus.

Todd Plesko: Curtis: Express service in general costs approximately $13.50 per one way trip. After you pay your fare, the taxpayer subsidizes the rest of what it costs through various public subsidies. This is approximately $11.53.

This means that a customer would have to pay $27 per day to fully pay for the trip.

The 410X does a little better than other express routes, but it has a subsidy near $9 per trip.

Your suggestion to end at Grand Metrolink might save a little bit of cost, but not enough to meet current budget needs.

Scott: Why would the agency be cutting profitable, heavily used routes such as the 410x?

Todd Plesko: This was answered in an earlier question. There is no possible way to operate transit to make a transit.

Richard Mark: The express routes such as the eureka express was expanded because of grant money, is what I understood from reading the news. Money that was set up to keep routes open until 2010. Since metro is cutting these routes will the remaining grant money be returned?

Todd Plesko: We received some funding to support expanded service. However, that contract will be pretty much depleted by April. This funding was for two years but we will have spent nearly all of the money by the time we cut service.

MarkE: Why have Metro and Darin Cline in Charlie Dooley's office not come clean and taken responsiblity for the failure of Prop M? Your "campaign" was one of the most ineffective political or product campaigns in modern history, and failed to tell the electorate the real impact of the defeat of Prop M. With the real facts, instead of the daily deluge of pretty postcards talking about less pollution, you most likely would have gotten enough votes to pass the proposition. What are you going to say to the people who have to wait in longer lines at retailers or wait for services at St. John's or St. Luke's hospital because Metro and Cline's complete incompetence in getting the measure passed means that workers can no longer get to their jobs in South and West County?

Todd Plesko: Beginning in July and ending in October Metro conducted over 200 meetings with stakeholders, neighborhood associations, and others interested in transit. We conducted 19 formal public hearings in September and October. The purpose of these meetings was education and outreach to explain exactly what the impact would be if Metro was unable to obtain new funding.

Metro also distributed through newspapers and at the plaforms, hundreds of thousands of eight page inserts that describe our funding situation, the case for expansion and the impact of service reductions without additional funding.

Metro is not legally permitted to run the campaign, print campaign brochures or advocate for the passing of the tax. This was handled by a citizen group.

In the 1997 a similar campaign failed 42% yes and 58 % no. In 2008, the referendum received 48.5 % yes, 51.5 % no of a much larger voter turnout. Perhaps there will be lessons learned and another opportunity for the community to speak.

justin: I was told that the old reduce fare cards will be no longer be able to use on metro buses so what do i do now ??

Todd Plesko: New Reduced fare ID's are now available and can be obtained from our MetroRide Store at 7th and Washington. For your convenience we are also doing neighborhood outreach at Senior Centers and other locations. Check our website for details.

marieschmich: I'm confused about the service cuts planned for the end of March. Will all routes that begin outside of the 270 loop be dropped? I read information before the November elections that said that some of the Express routes would be retained until 2010 even if Prop M failed. Why did that change?

Todd Plesko: That is a great question. The original public hearing outlined a plan that retained express service for a year, but eliminated all local and Call a Ride outside I-270. However, based upon the public comments at hearings, we prepared a second plan that attempted to preserve some local bus service outside I-270. Unfortunately, this plan required nearly $10 million in additional funding to balance our budget. Our funding partners explained that we could not expect any additional funding from their local sources.

Our board and our funding partners directed us to make the cuts in a way that best serves the majority of our customers with the funds that we have. With that direction, it is impossible to retain express service at all.

Josh Jordan: Will there be ANY service west of 270 on Olive? I know it's being significantly cut, but I really don't want to walk a mile from Ballas if that's the last stop on Olive, all the way to my work by Mason Road..

Todd Plesko: There will be no bus service west of I-270 on Olive. Some of our customers are contacting the regional ride share program (Ridefinders.org) and others are considering Metro's bike rack equipped buses to extend their commute beyond our service area.

StacyM: Will the 33 Dorsett Lacklind be eliminated or changed in any way?

Todd Plesko: The 33 Dorsett Lackland will operate. Check our website next week for details.

dphunk: there seems to be alot of misunderstanding of what this agency is, how it works, where it gets it's money from etc... i've heard people say that metro is a business and needs to become self sustaining, or it is a private company and should not be using tax money to fund it's operations in the first place. what is being done to educate people as to exactly what the role of metro is?

and question 2

it's understandable that in a time like this that the county does not want to take on more tax. now that we have a democratic governor, is there any kind of legislation of any possibility of getting state representatives from either side of the state(kc and st louis) to draft up a state wide plan that is all inclusive?

Todd Plesko: See this link again below. Metro is a public agency that is primarily subsidized by government funds as is every other transit system in North America.

www.metrostlouis.org/insidemetro/newsroom/releases/mfinanceschat.pdf

Your suggestion of involving our Missouri State officials is a good one. Metro will continue to have discussions with the local and State officials. If you contact your state reps and senators, they will start to understand that the region is interested in transit and it is worth their support.

Bradley Baebler: What is the current outlook and time frame for obtaining more funding at the federal level? Is it possible that these efforts could affect the planned service cuts before they are implemented?

Todd Plesko: The federal government has not funded operating expenses since 1997. While we have asked for Federal stimulus funds (as have our funding partners in the State, County and City), we have been informed that it is unlikely. The intent of the stimulus is for capital funding.

Service levels are local decisions and federal policy supports capital investment as long as the local community provides the funds to support to operate service.

In the next 18 months there may be another local funding initiative.

Kevin: I was under the impression the rate changes were going to take place this summer and was surprised to see them on my last monthly pass purchase. Why did they occur at 1/1? Do you have a schedule of expected future rate increases? This could have been presented a little more clearly through the media.

Todd Plesko: We conducted public hearings in July regarding possible fare increases. We explained in these hearings that the increases would occur after the November 4th election. There would have been an increase regardless of the outcome. We always planned to increase fares around January 2009. However, the amount of the fare increase was greater due to the failure of the Prop M. By having a larger fare increase, we were able to preserve more service.

There is a second increase that has been approved for July 2010.

twokittens: When are you going to make a final decision on what busses those West of 270 will have available to use to get downtown? I live West of 270 and am in a quandary as to how I will get downtown in the future and when changes will be made. We keep hearing conflicting stories. If money is a problem why do we now have three busses for the Twin Oaks - Eurkea Express and the Big Bend Express when formally we had two? It takes us about the same time to get to downtown on the three busses as it did on the two busses. If you need money charge another quarter for those West of 270 or do something else. Why cut us out? I have been riding the Twin Oaks bus for 16 years.

Todd Plesko: Plan A and B (the earler proposals described in the hearings) which were not approved, preserved approximately 50 % of the express service this year. However, these plans could not be funded within the existing resources. Express service is extremely expensive and had a very large impact in meeting the budget targets with relatively low loss of riders. Metro carries approximately 2500 express boardings each weekday out of total 200,000 daily boardings. The average deficit for express service is $11.53 per boarding.

mattrogers1979: This Morning much like any day i took the metro link into work it's convenient and I have paid yearly pass through work lately I have been noticing more and more attendents asking for passes or transfers on the train this morning I was asked for my pass which I supplied and it was current but I had forgotten My ID so instead I got written a ticket, is this what it has come to we are now getting ticketson the Metro link for forgetting work badges this is what it has come to that the city is running out of so much money that they have to now issue tickets on the Metro Link. this is ridiculous and will be fought

Todd Plesko: From your comment, you appear to be using one of the Upasses issued to Wash U or SWIC employees or students. The mandatory requirement to use that pass is that you present your photo ID each and every time. Failure to have that ID is the same as not having a paid fare. This requirement of the ID is required by Metro and the University.

Mike Vitale: Did you just not recently receive additional government funding and was this not enough to keep the Express buses running, what cost would Metrolink require fm patrons to keep the Express buses running.

Todd Plesko: Mike. I believe this was answered earlier.

Scott: What consideration was given to ridership on each of the buses which are proposed to be cut? The 410x, which I ride, consitently has 25-50 people on it. Will the money received from the federal goverment and ridership not make this a profitable route?

Todd Plesko: Scott: This question was covered earlier.Please read over the other answers.

pmick: Good afternoon....I've seen several letters to the editor and whatnot that indicated you folks didn't do a good job communicating the campaign issues for the failed Prop M...I was under the impression that Metro was not allowed to advocate a vote for themselves...if that is the case, what's the best way for the average citizen to voice his/her concerns over upcoming service cuts rather than just blaming Metro?

Todd Plesko: We truly believe that St. Louis needs a good transit system. The cuts that will be implemented are tragic. Metro and we hope our partners and customers will share their concerns with our state and local elected officials. You may also want to participate with Citizens for Modern Transit.

mike rose: I heard that extra metro link cars will run more frequently during special events such as Rams, Cardinals, and Blues games. It seem like running more cars during these events would be a money maker for Metro. What is the reasoning for cutting back on this service?

Todd Plesko: The higher average ridership for these extra trains comes close to breaking even. However, the cuts on Metrolink will reduce the size of our employee base significantly. After the reductions are implemented, our ability to staff the requirements of short duration,peak special event service will be impossible

Boomshadow: Everyone talks about how "behind the times" St. Louis and Missouri are when it comes to public transportation. Is that true? How does the region compare with other areas regarding public transportation?

Todd Plesko: Boomshadow:

Great question. Consider some of our peers, Denver invests $134 per capita in transit. Portland invests $147.01. Pittsburgh invests $148.87 and Cleveland invests $104.

St.Louis invests $66.80.

StacyM: Will the 33 dorsett-lackind be eliminated or changed at all?

Todd Plesko: There will be some changes in schedule and routing. The details will be on our website in a week.

50SOUTHAMPTON: Why does the 93 and the proposed 10 go west on Lindell all the way to Kingshighway, turn left and left again at Forest Park without stopping? The bus could turn left on Euclid from Lindell to left on Forest Park and stop on Euclid between Lindell and Forest Park. It does not stop on Kingshighway between these two streets.

Todd Plesko: There are two reasons. We operate the 1 Gold Line on Euclid. Finally, the 40 foot buses are too large to operate on Euclid.

ltcmgm78: Is St. Clair County Transit District much help as far as money is concerned?

Todd Plesko: St. Clair County is a huge help in supporting the regional system. First St.Clair County Transit signs a contract annually to fund the total cost of the service in Illinois. Second. St.Clair County also funds part of the cost of operating services in downtown St.Louis. Recently they have even offered to loan Missouri money to restore some of the planned Metrolink reductions.

jamlrob4guess: Why don't bus routes located near the Links go only to the link? Wouldn't this cut cost and keep other routes available?

Todd Plesko: Most of Metro's buses do serve Metrolink, but the bus routes are designed to serve the adjacent neighborhoods and businesses that Metrolink cannot. Many people complain that Metro forces to many bus routes to end at a Metrolink Station.

Brant S: What is the likelihood of Metro receiving government funds of any kind (low interest loans, grants, etc.) through a possible Obama infrastructure initiative? I understand this is a big "what if," but these cuts will have a lasting affect on the St Louis region that apparently a majority of the county voters don't understand.

Todd Plesko: Loans couldn't be repaid unless we get a new source of revenue.

Metro has requested stimulus funds, but receipt of these funds for operations is doubtful.

Ellen: Dear Todd: Has there been any discussions to consolidate two or more bus lines that serve the County region in order to save money while continuing to serve the same region? Last year I moved from Boston, the MBTA did bus consolidation for financial reasons.

Todd Plesko: When you review the plans on our website next week, you will see that there will be many consolidations. However, the only way to live within next years revenue, we need to reduce the geographic footprint of the system.

Ellen: When will Metro announce which bus lines will be discontinued?

Todd Plesko: We will have the deals on our website next week.

kcarbin: Metro has been cutting routes and services from sometime, how is Metro seeking to rebound itself from all the reduction. Also, city tax payers approved tax increases to support Metro financial downfall and the county did not, is the primary cause of the cut backs and if so, why should city residents suffer with interupted services because of this?

Todd Plesko: Since 1950, you are correct about declining services but the situation more recently. Since 2003 through 2006,Metro has actually expanded service on both Metrolink, bus and Call a Ride.

The Cross County rail system allowed us to shorten some routes and reprogram the miles to serve new areas. The 8 Bates and the 17 Oakville were service expansions. We added service to 70 Grand, 61 Chambers, 34 Earth City and many express routes.

Unfortunately, the cuts in our local subsidies and the low growth in the revenues that we do receive have have made it impossible to sustain the service we operate today. Check the link below for more detail.

www.metrostlouis.org/insidemetro/newsroom/releases/mfinanceschat.pdf

Finally, the 1997 tax was never collected and the City services require more subsidy than the city provides. City subsidies have grown at less than 1 % a year.

EatAnts: Why is there no clearly defined plan on the metro website letting riders know what routes will change or be cancelled? I ride the bus daily and everyone is hearing a different story b/c your website is not up-to-date.

Todd Plesko: We will have up to date information on routes next week. Timetables will not be available until February.

Karen Green: Will Bus route #47 be eliminated in March, 2009?

Todd Plesko: No. The 47 will operate between Clayton and Flower Valley. It will not operate to Jamestown Mall.

Ellen Friedla: Have there been any discussions to consolidate bus route that serves St. Louis County within the I-270 corridor? This could be both cost-savings while continue to serve majority of the Metro customers and subsequently would ensure continue Federal Dollars. I moved back to St. Louis from living in Boston for 7 years where they did a bus consolidation as a cost saving measure.

Todd Plesko: There will be consolidations. This was answered on an earlier question.

Kurtis: I have looked on Metro's website but could not find any information outlining what routes have what ridership, at what times, the cost of the route, the impact of frequency adjustments vs total elimination of a route, ranking of routes based on cost/benefit, etc. So I must conclude that the service cuts were based more on geography (ie. Outside 270) than an actual economic study. Is this a correct assumption?

Todd Plesko: We will post this on our website next week. We agree it will be interesting.

Our reduction plan considered ridership, cost, subsidy, demographic and job concentrations.

blee: shareriders and bike racks are easier said than done!People only have to consider these things because of a hopless situation you put us in.

Todd Plesko: The service reductions are unfortunate and not what Metro wanted. Metro proposed an expansion of the system including capital investment in the County, more Metrolink, and stable service. Had Prop M passed, this would have become a reality.

In Missouri, the decision of how much to invest in transit is a taxpayer-voter decision.

MarkS: As a rider of the 40X I55 Mehlville express bus, I would first like to thank you for the rides you have provided me over the past year or so.

My question is in regards to the park-n-ride lots. What is going to happen to the properties? I assume local service will still run to them, (if they are inside the 270 loop) but if they are outside the loop, what is their fate? Are they maintained by Metro? Will they still be available for carpools?

Todd Plesko: Most of the Highway lots are MoDot lots and are used by carpoolers. It is Metro's hope to use these facilities in the future. In fact, it is our plan to mark signage for our bus stops and shelters that indicate that "service is temporarily unavailable." We hope to be back soon.

50SOUTHAMPTON: Wouldn't running single Metrolink cars in the evenings and on weekends when there is no special event, (like this week) save money? Trains could be cut and the cars parked at Shrewsbury after the evening rush hour.

Todd Plesko: You save a little bit in electricity.However the cost of splitting and reattaching the cars exceeds the savings.

Ellen Friedla: Has Metro thought of creating transit zones like other cities have done? Thus, the farther you need to go (e.g., outer ring metro areas) would pay more as a cost-sharing.

Todd Plesko: Metro and Madison County Transit are engaged in a "fare technology" study that may permit zone fares. Metro did use zone fares in earlier years, but enforcement was a problem. The smart card technology (like the T in Boston is using) will offer some new options. The issue will be "can we afford the local funds to pay for the capital investment."

marieschmich: Will you increase parking availability for those of us who work downtown and still want to use Metrolink as an alternative to the Express bus service we used to use? For instance, the Forest Park station parking lot is often filled / overflowing on weekdays during work hours. The Maplewood/Manchester station was marketed as having parking provided, is that a possibility?

Todd Plesko: Metro has many available spaces at the Brentwood Station and a new (60 space) surface lot will be available at the Richmond Heights Station.

MarkS: In your answer to kcarbin's question you say..."City services require more subsidy than the city provides. City subsidies have grown at less than 1 % a year." Why cut route in the county? Cut routes in the City if they are more expensive to run? I understand the county did not pass prop M but they are still kicking money to metro and it looks by your comment that the county pays more than the city?

Todd Plesko: Both the City and County have an unfunded deficit. The cuts will be roughly equal in the City and County.

Half of the County transit taxes are pledged by Metro and the County to pay Cross County bonds until 2035. The County's remaining 1/2 cent taxes used to be split 63%-37% between transit and roads. This year the County reduced this ratio to 50-50. This reduces the County transit tax to Metro by $10 million in our next budget year.

Kept in mind, its not just County residents who contribute to the transit tax in the County. A very large percentage of the County sales tax comes from City, Illinois, St. Charles and Jefferson County residents who buy goods in St.Louis County. We must begin to think of Metro as a "regional system" supported by the entire region.

gsackett: Is there any plans to put a proposal up for a future vote to help support Metro?

Todd Plesko: By law the transit tax in the county can not be put on the ballot for a year.

Speak to your elected officials about this issue if you want another chance to vote on this topic. Our elected officials need to know that the issue is important.

kcarbin: What is Metro plans to rebound a service that was once a great asset to the area? Also, city tax payers approve tax increases to help Metro's finances and the county disapproved the tax increase, why should city residents be made to suffer with limited services and routes because of the county's decision?

Todd Plesko: We are talking to the local and State officials about future funding options. We have applied for Federal stimulus funds. The solution must include a regional commitment to continue supporting our transit system. At present the regional funds are insufficient to support what we have built and the funds do not grow with inflation.

Thanks for your participation and continue the conversation about transit. We will be back with another live chat in two weeks.