Metro, the St. Louis region's public transportation authority, is seeing increased ridership but is also facing budget constraints, possible fare increases and service reductions. Todd Plesko, Chief of Planning and System Development for Metro, will be answering readers questions about the bus and light-rail service.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 01:30 PM CDT
Kareem: Some cities in the country have contracted with Google to provide live bus locations on Google Maps (Tri-Met) in Portland, most recently CTA in Chicago). Does Metro plan to do the same in the future?
Is expansion into Jefferson and St. Charles County on the radar after the ballot drive?
This is more a hobby question; Is metro considering purchasing more Low Floor buses for the Missouri side of the system? They are quite common in St. Clair County.
Todd Plesko: We do plan to implement Google's Trip planner, but we are struggling for enough time. It requires some IT work that is on our horizon but not top on the list yet.
The tax initiative would not result in expansion to Jefferson or Franklin. Funding from those county's would allow that extension however.
We have 26 low floor buses coming in December. All future Missouri buses will be low floor.