M L: Has anything been done since you began talking about more funding, what has the state said ?

Todd Plesko: M L:

Metro and its funding partners have been aware of the need for a new source of funding to support our regional transit system since Federal Operations Assistance was phased out in 1997. Both St. Louis City and County offered voters a method of funding the shortfall in 1997 with a second Prop M referendum (1/4 cent). This referendum passed in the City but failed in St. Louis County. An attempt to increase State of Missouri support for public transportation was offered to Statewide voters as part of a larger transportation tax initiative a number of years ago. This initiative failed Statewide.

These failed initiatives forced Metro and its funding partners to use a number of short term techniques to balance the budget. The pressure for new revenue has now become extreme as the Federal Startup funding used to support MetroLink Cross County expire next year and Metro begins repaying the Cross County bond principle. St. Louis County placed a second attempt to pass the 1/2 cent Prop M(2)( referendum on the November 4th ballot for consideration by County voters. This will be the critical vote to determine the future of public transit in the region.

Metro officials have briefed current State elected officials on the local funding situation. However, since a large percentage of the Missouri State and Senate may be changing based upon the November 4th election, an effort to influence the legislative agenda would start after the new House and Senate convene in 2009.

P.G. McLean: Assuming Metro's funding issues get resolved in the near future, I'm excited about the possibility of your working on another MetroLink extension ..we need this to be competitive in today's world, but I understand the interest level is leaning towards West County, possibly out to the West Port area....I'm aware that a study was done sometime ago to extend the Shrewsbury branch further south...if this isn't in the cards near-term, what we can South Countians look forward to for expanded service in the next few years?

Todd Plesko: Assuming new funding, near term improvements to South County would include improved bus frequency and investments in formal park ride lots and a transit center similar to the one Metro constructed in West County at Ballas and I-64.

hel: are there still plans to cut bus service to earth city, maryland heights?

Todd Plesko: Hel:
Metro has presented plans highlighted on our website (metrostlouis.org) which would eliminate all service outside of I-270.

Public comments from this option have been very negative from customers, businesses, and stakeholders.

Metro is working on several alternative solutions which may maintain service outside I-270. One solution would eliminate all service everywhere in Missouri on weekends. There is no way to cut $46 million from our budget without very negative service reductions that will be unsatisfactory to most customers.

cul8trallg8tr: Will there be more buses that run to Maryland Heights in the future? Also, there are several stops that are missing the signs even after a complaint has been called in. Any idea when that will be fixed?

Todd Plesko: Without a major new source of funding to eliminate Metro's operating deficit next year, there will be no expanded service to Maryland Heights. Look at the possible Crossroads service reduction plans summarized on Metro's website (metrostlouis.org) These plans actually show a major reduction in service to Maryland Heights beyond I-270. This includes the 33 Dorsett Lackland and the 34 Earth City.

On the bus stop, call Metro at 982-1400 and ask to speak to the bus stop planner in the planning department. The planner will be able to explain the status of your request.

Mechelle: If metro is used as a commuter service by so many to get to and from work what since does it make to cut out service past 270 that is the main reason why many city residents use the transit system because it allows them to find better job oppurtunities which lie further in st. louis, saint charles, and franklin counties

Todd Plesko: Mechelle:

From the perspective of Metro transportation planner, it makes little sense to reduce the size of the public transit network including the elimination of service outside I-270, particularly when riderships has been increasing significantly in the past several years. The possible Crossroads cuts would eliminate transit access to 250,000 St. Louis County jobs and reduce access to the remaining 500,000 jobs. Nearly 36 % of all St.Louis City and County residents would have no transit access.

It is important to remember however, that 80 % of the funding to support our public transit system comes from governmental grants or subsidies. Only 20 % comes from the farebox. Metro projects that it will have an unfunded deficit of $46 million in our Fiscal 2010 budget year. One method of reducing costs is to operate in a smaller geographic area leading to the elimination of service outside I-270.

The public response to this plan has not been positive. Metro is developing several alternatives that may preserve some service beyond I-270, but each option will have extremely large reductions in service. One eliminates all service on weekends. Another operates Saturday service on weekdays.