Citizens for Modern Transit has put together a resource kit on the topic of expanding MetroLink. 

Click here to download the Transit Resource Kit. 

Responses to Question about the public transit proposition

Q:    What is the proposition slated for the april 6, 2010 ballot?
A:    Voters of St. Louis County will decide whether or not to authorize a one-half of one percent sales tax increase for restoring, operating and expanding MetroLink, MetroBus, and disabled and senior public transpor tation.

Q:    Why are voters addressing this issue again after they rejected it in november 2008?
A:    After a similar proposition was defeated by voters in November 2008, Metro was forced to cut public transit service by one-third in Missouri, impacting thousands of transit riders. Emergency funding from the state of Missouri and the federal government restored some of the transit service, but the funds will run out in May 2010. If additional funding is not available, Metro will be forced to make substantial cuts in transit service again.

Q: How much will the proposition generate in new revenues and what will it be used for?
A: The new tax will generate approximately $75 million a year for public transportation. In addition, the new tax will trigger another $8 million in tax revenue from the city of St. Louis, from a previous tax passed in 1997. This new revenue will restore MetroLink, MetroBus and Call-A-Ride services previously cut in 2009 and allow for future expansion of these services.

Q:    if the proposition passes, will there be future service reductions?
A: No.
Q:    What kind of expanded public transit service will there be?
A:    All current modes of transit—MetroBus, MetroLink and Metro Call-A-Ride—will be enhanced.

Q:    Where will new metrolink and metroBus routes go?
A:    MetroBus and MetroLink routes, as well as new options such as Bus Rapid Transit, will be determined in conjunction with regional partners and the federal government. An expansion of light rail from Clayton to the West Port area, as well as a North Side/South Side route have been identified as possibilities.

Q:    What is Bus rapid transit?
A:    Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is higher-capacity bus service. It uses buses that are larger than the current MetroBus fleet, and can carry more passengers per vehicle. These buses also make fewer stops and use dedicated transit plazas that are similar to MetroLink stations. BRT has more flexibility and lower capital investment than light rail.

Q:    is public transit subsidized?
A:    As with many public facilities such as highways, bridges and libraries, public transit is supported, in part, by tax dollars. In fact, no public transit system in the world is totally self-sufficient. While Metro does require tax dollars for its operations, it has one of the lowest subsidies per passenger in the United States.

Q:    is there much fare box evasion?
A:    According to Metro statistics, fare box evasion is estimated to be less than 5% of total passengers. The current proof-of-payment system is the transit industry standard, and only a costly barrier system would be more effective. Currently, funding for such a system is not available.

Q:    How safe are transit stations?
A:    Crime on the public transit system is very low, according to Metro statistics—especially compared with crime statistics of the communities through which the system travels. The perception of crime on Metro is higher among those who do not use the system than those who are regular riders.

Q:    does public transit relieve traffic congestion?
A:    Each day 45,000 fewer vehicles are on our region’s highways because of people who take Metro Transit. This makes our highways less crowded and gives many a convenient way to get to where they need to go.

Q:    does public transit help to improve air quality?
A:    MetroLink trains emit zero carbon emissions. According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transit produces 95% less carbon dioxide, 90% less volatile organic compounds and about one-half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide per passenger mile as a private vehicle.

Q:    can we expect federal funds to help pay for some of the expanded transit services?
A:    Yes. The lack of local matching funds has inhibited the region’s ability to attract additional federal funding for transit projects. The passage of the transit proposition in April 2010 would make more funds available to attract federal funding.

Q:    What is call-a-ride?
A:    This is a specific service offered to the disabled and senior population that utilizes vans with specialized equipment to assist riders in boarding and unboarding.

Q:    can we expect expanded public transit to lead to economic development?
A:    It has been very common in corridors that have light rail or commuter rail to experience new development of housing, retail and other public services. In St. Louis County, there has been an estimated $15 billion in new development that has occurred near MetroLink stations, with additional development slated for Richmond Heights, North Hanley and Central West End. St. Louis University economists estimate that every dollar invested in Metro transit operations returns $6 to the local economy.

Q:    is transit ridership in st. louis county growing?
A:    Until the cuts imposed in March 2009, Metro transit ridership had increased 18% over a five year period.

Q:    What happens if the public transit proposition is defeated?
A:    Metro will be forced to make significant cuts in public transportation services, impacting thousands of transit riders, employers and those that rely on transit for their primary means of transportation.

Facts you should have about the metro transit system:

• Each week, more than 100,000 individuals board a Metro bus, train or van, amounting to nearly 53 million rides a year.
•  Metro’s Call-A-Ride service provides more than 2,400 trips each day to people with disabilities and the elderly, exceeding 665,000 trips a year.
•  10% of MetroBus and 7% of MetroLink passengers are students traveling to school. transit Helps our economy
•  People use public transit to get to jobs. Prior to the March 2009 service reductions, 97% of all jobs in St. Louis City and St. Louis County could be reached by riding Metro transit.
• Transit generates growth. To date, $15 billion in new development has occurred within a ten-minute walk of MetroLink—with additional development slated for Richmond Heights, North Hanley and Central West End.
•  St. Louis University economists estimate that every dollar invested in Metro transit operations returns $6 to our local economy.
•  According to passenger surveys, Metro commuters earn $2.2 billion in annually. transit is good for the environment
•  According to national transit experts, public transportation produces 95% less carbon monoxide, 90% less volatile organic compounds, and about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide, per mile, compared to private vehicles.
• With more people using transit, we decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. transit makes our community a Better place
• Because of people taking Metro Transit, there are 45,000 fewer vehicles on the region’s highways. Our roads are less congested and our air is cleaner.
• The average public transit user saves $2,000 per year compared to the cost of driving; each automobile eliminated in a family equates to $7,000-$8,000 per year in savings.
• A well-developed transit system is an important factor in attracting conventions to St. Louis, according to the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission.
• Many major metropolitan cities such as Dallas, Houston, Denver, Portland, Minneapolis, Baltimore and Salt Lake City are expanding rail transit systems.
  metro transit is a top-performing system
• According to the American Public Transportation Association, Metro’s on-time performance, vehicle reliability and safety record rank among the best in the nation.
• When compared to ten peer cities reporting data to the National Transportation Data Base, Metro Transit operates with one of the lowest costs per passenger to the taxpayer.
• Prior to the 2009 service reduction, Metro transit experienced an 18% increase in ridership over a five-year period, with bus ridership higher than most transit systems during the same period