A Grand Guy,
Yes, Metro is pursuing the introduction of battery electric vehicles to our MetroBus fleet. We have found that technology has advanced to the point where the market can likely supply a vehicle that can operate a sufficient range (around 250 miles) without charging.
We are now in the process of creating our specifications for battery electric vehicles, and hope to pursue a contract within the year. We have tested several different electric bus models this year, and have a few more demonstrations scheduled. These experiences are used to inform our selection of a specific vehicle type.
MetroLink Rider,
We apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced with the construction at the Union Station MetroLink Station and on Clark Avenue. We anticipate that the construction at Union Station will be complete this month.
Metro is currently constructing an improvement to the pedestrian access to the station from the north (Clark Avenue), and is also pouring new sidewalks and erecting fencing along Clark Avenue. These enhancements will improve safety for MetroLink and MetroBus customers at this station, and will help us prepare for the shifting of MetroBuses from Civic Center Transit Center to 18th Street and Clark Avenue when the Civic Center closes for construction later this spring.
Nick Weil,
We understand your concerns about promoting transit service to a broad market; this is a challenge across the country. Metro is actively working to provide a transit product that is safe, reliable and attractive. We are in the process of implementing new amenities and technologies (and some have already been launched) including real-time arrival information; a mobile app; a new transit center with fantastic amenities (opening next month); improved signage and wayfinding information; pass programs designed to make it easier and more convenient to pay fares, etc. The most important feature transit agencies can provide is competitive travel times. This is challenging here and elsewhere where congestion is relatively low and parking is abundant and cheap. MetroLink offers a great competitive edge, and Metro is exploring additional options for expanding our offering of higher-speed transit service, including the potential introduction of bus rapid transit. These and other technologies can be offered to the extent funding is available. One of the most powerful messages for expanding transit utilization is word of mouth. You as a customer can use transit and can spread the word about how convenient and reliable Metro transit is.
Richard,
There’s not a quick answer to your question regarding the balance between service frequency and access. Metro operates within a number of constraints including available resources (total budget); meeting requests of our funding partners (the communities that provide the resources); and creating an integrated system that is capable of carrying many people across a geographically dispersed region 7 days per week, 21 hours per day. At a high-level, higher demand routes typically have greater frequencies. Other determinants of frequency include schedules of connecting routes (many routes are timed to connect with MetroLink, for example); route cycle time (end-to-end travel time); and available fleet (also governed by a budget). One of the greatest challenges in providing transit service to the St. Louis region is that the region has, and continues to, expand its geographic footprint without generating a corresponding increase in net revenue. This requires routes to travel greater distances to carry customers to needed destinations, and undermines ability to add frequency.
Chris,
When making decisions regarding what type of vehicles to purchase, Metro considers the entire life cycle cost of the vehicle. That includes purchase price, operation (including fuel/power), and maintenance. We are finding that electric buses could offer lower life cycle costs. Each of the vehicles we have tested offer different benefits and life cycle costs. One of the more compelling features of electric vehicles is their lower maintenance cost (compared to diesel). The battery performance has varied by vehicle, and we have tested some models that include a diesel heater and/or diesel AC to prolong battery life during hot/cold weather.
Argybargy,
The elevators at Forest Park do serve the east and west sides of DeBaliviere, however the selection of elevator or stairs is determined by the direction one wishes to travel upon alighting the train. If you were heading northbound (toward Delmar) you would select the elevator to the east. If you were traveling southbound (toward Forest Park) you would take the elevator to the west. Communicating directions in terms of individuals’ intended travel direction/destination is often more effective than communicating in terms of compass direction.
Velo, Aligo, Craig:
The Metro Transit System won the Gold Standard for Security based on a national audit of our system in 2014, one of a very few transit systems to achieve that status. In addition to security technology (dedicated phones, system cameras), Metro has and will continue to deploy a multi-layered approach to system security that includes contracted Police Officers, contracted Security Guards, and our own Public Safety Officers as well as a group of fare enforcers. We continue to work with all elements to improve the security product for our system.
We are glad that you are seeing the increase in Public Safety visits and Fare enforcement activity. That is the frontline of any transit security program and this visibility is something we are striving for. Another of our continuing efforts include providing feedback about customer complaints back to the security personnel on the system.
Enforcement is one thing, eradication is another. We are aware of several persons who we have had removed from the system for identical issues, but who are released and return to their activities within the same day. This is a problem not limited to the transit system and needs a wider solution.
Metro continues to work with all elements of the security system to ensure good return on the investment. New reports have been developed and we are analyzing the information from them. As with any program of this size, improvements occur incrementally, but has been stated here, the visibility of the forces has been increased, enforcement activities are up, and we believe the security product will continue to improve in the weeks ahead.
Herbie,
Metro has recently made contact with the Hollywood Casino to inquire as to whether operating on the street in question is an option. It is a provide road and Metro would have to be authorized to use it. There are potential problems with transit use, as the road may not be equipped to handle repeated bus traffic; is gated on each end; and because it is a private road, snow removal would be the responsibility of a private entity.
Regular Rider,
We apolgoize for the inconvience assoicated with the outage of the outdoor escalator at 8th & Pine Station. These escalators are over 20 years old, and the parts for them are often custom order. These escalators are subject to the demands of our climate including snow, road salt, and rainwater, and in spite of intense preventative maintenance efforts, they will fail over time.
Metro will look into your suggestion to have the functioning escalator in the “Up” direction when a problem occurs.
Herbie, Herbie,
Revenue collected from fines issued on the Metro Transit System (no fare, ect.) are collected by the jurisdiction in which the citation was issued (City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, etc.)
Nick,
We believe we operate one of the most reliable, safe and on-time systems that can be found in any large city. Thanks for noticing!
Stlrainbow,
We too are excited about the redevelopment happening downtown, including the gorgeous Arcade building. Metro does collect boardings data at each of our MetroLink stations on a daily basis, however ridership at the 8th & Pine station has dropped recently. Much of this trend can be attributed to fewer events and employment in Downtown, and 8th & Pine in particular has lost some of its market due to the relocation of major companies like AT&T. We are optimistic that continued residential growth and repopulation of some of the Downtown buildings will result in growth in MetroLink ridership.
Richard,
Thank you for your interest in inaccessible bus stops and snow removal along streets served by buses. Pedestrian infrastructure, including accessible and well-maintained sidewalks are critical for ensuring safe and convenient travel by transit. The answer to both of these questions is to contact the entity that owns and maintains the street(s) in question. Metro has some history of partnering with municipalities, counties, MoDOT and private property owners to make improvements to bus stops and sidewalks, but Metro does not own or maintain sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure.
Richard,
If you exit out of the real time map screen in the app, refresh, and return to the screen you can see the buses’ new location. You can view the updating location in real-time from the desktop application.
Chris,
Thanks for checking out the “Metro on the Go” mobile trip planning application. This tool provides some functionality that Google doesn’t, like service updates and alerts. Metro will likely maintain a proprietary app, as we have no control over the availability, maintenance, or accuracy of Google or other apps. That said, we like Google Transit too, and that’s why Metro publishes our real-time and scheduled data in publicly available feeds. The selection of tool is ultimately up to the discretion of the use.
Cigar 75,
The Civic Center Transit Center Project recently completed a second review by the City of St. Louis; this review required some modifications to the ramp system. The engineering on these changes was recently completed and we will be seeking construction bids in the near future. We expect to begin construction this year.
MetroLink North Hanley and Big Phish,
To echo a prior response, the public safety system that works best has all elements of it working to create maximum safety for system users. We do not agree with any comments that categorically state that any of the Public Safety team members “do nothing,” in fact there is statistical and physical evidence to the contrary. All parties are working towards the continued improvement of the system, and has been noted earlier, people have noticed.
(cont'd) ...I get so frustrated hearing people say "yeah, there's a Metro, but it only has two lines" or "Metro doesn't go to..." [take your pick: a Kirkwood brewery, MICDS, South City, etc.] How do we stop this irrational narrow view of what "Metro" involves and who should be riding it?
I'm excited about the redevelopment of the Arcade-Wright building downtown which pretty much sits atop the 8th & Pine station.... do you have data on boardings at each station? I'm interested in seeing how much usage of the station may increase as a result of the redevelopment.