Melanie Shouse: Metro service has consistently being held hostage by the GOP majority in the Missouri legislature, which refuses to provide adequate funding. Public pressure is the only solution to this obstruction, but I see no real effort on Metro's part to educate the public about the value and necessity for public transit, other than those bizarre billboards that look like a sinus congestion ad and are completely incomprehensible. What does Metro plan to do to educate the broader public about its value and services?

To follow up on this educational program, it will be a necessity to provide adequate benches and shelters at bus stops in order to make it possible for people to ride in dignity and comfort, particularly those of us who are disabled or elderly. Why has Metro not worked on a partnership with local communities to build creative and attractive benches and shelters, possibly as a shop project with local high schools or a community service effort by local groups? This could be done at very little cost and would not only greatly increase Metro ridership, but would beautify our communities and create walkable neighborhoods to improve public health, which is suffering greatly from our sedentary lifestyles. I'll be interested to hear any forward-thinking ideas from the leadership at Metro other than CUT, CUT, CUT, which is an outrageous threat given the severe economic and environmental crises that we face as a nation, which can only be solved with a world-class mass transit system.

Todd Plesko: Melanie: Accessible Bus stops, benches and other bus stop amenities would absolutely improve attract more passengers and improve the visible "streetscape" of municipalities. For the past year, Metro has been working with municipalities, the State and the County to improve bus stops. We have also worked with private developers and neighborhood associations. This effort has helped us add 700 ADA accessible bus stops. Some of the municipalities are interested in having benches and Metro received a grant to upgrade some stops with benches as we make them ADA accessible. The effort will take money to sustain however.

veggie1: In regard to announcing the trains, I think it's great the way it is. I think the subway systems in Chicago and New York are difficult for visitors, which makes the city seem inhospitable to me. Keep the announcements, I say. Regulars, wear earplugs or something. We should put our city's guests first.

My question: Why does it cost to take MetroLink from main terminal to East Terminal? Actually, I am aware that the airport quit paying a fee for that free service, but it doesn't cost Metro to reinstate it. It makes our city look cheap. Be a bigger entity than the Airport and suck it up and let folks ride.

Todd Plesko: Veggie1: We did eliminate the free ride zone between the terminals at the airport. We were paid approximately $60,000 annually in the past for this service. Conversations are underway now with the Airport which may bring back the free ride zone.

bprop: In response to your answer about lengthy and unnecessary announcements, I have repeatedly brought this up over several years to Metro staff. I even put a YouTube video up, which showed an announcement that lasted all the way from Shrewsbury to Sunnen stations. Some operators talk non-stop, adding their unprofessional side comments, yelling into the microphone, repeating some phrases up to 10-12 times at the same stop, and jerking the train to a stop several times while yelling to passengers who are running to catch Metrolink. In response, I have been told that a script is "being developed" (this was over a year ago). This has got to be the simplest of tasks, yet Metro has not yet succeeded in having operators announce a simple, professional, abbreviated, consistent script. Why not?

Todd Plesko: bprop: I saw your YouTube video. I will see if I can't get the script shortened. We do occasionally go overboard.

D. Standlee: Why on earth would Metro start cutting service?! Now is the time to be really pushing expansion of the MetroLink throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area. What is being done about that? Can we have any leaders from Metro St. Louis, East/West Gateway, and the local government step forward to guide this Metropolitan area? Why are they sitting around waiting for instructions? The St. Louis Metropolitan area needs progressive leaders who can think past the end of their nose. I am sure there are some sort of federal grants and/or other monies to help with the some funding.

Todd Plesko: D. Standlee: I agree that interest in transit is very high. Ridership is strong and growing. Reducing service would not be something I would recommend. The decision of how much of a transit system we will have is (in Missouri) pretty much of a local decision. St. Louis County is considering a referendum to preserve the current system and expand Metro including Metrolink in November.

Otto Schnell: Can you explain how the tax increase in the county that voters are going to vote on in the future will help Metro light rail. Will this only help with keeping current service running, or will this provide funds for expansion?

Todd Plesko: Otto: It is my understanding that St. Louis County will place an initiate on the ballot for November for a 1/2 cent sales tax. One half of this tax (1/4 cent) will be used to support the operations of the existing system. The other 1/4th cent will be used to expand the system including light rail. It is my understanding that the initial expansion would extend train service from Clayton to the Westport/I-270 area. Metro will also augment express bus service in corridors not in the next phase of Metrolink expansion if funding is available.