Metro Prepares for August 3 Restoration

In just seven days, thousands of Metro customers who lost their link to employment, healthcare, shopping and recreation via transit earlier this year will temporarily enjoy restored access. After receiving a federal grant and a $12 million one-time emergency appropriation from the State of Missouri, Metro will restore approximately one-third of the services that were suspended on March 30.

Using transit data, population and employment trends, and input from hundreds of customers, Metro has finalized a Transit Restoration Plan designed to return the most needed transit service across the St. Louis region. Restored services will include a combination of enhancements to existing routes so they are extended back into communities that lost service, restoration of some key routes that were cut, and the creation of new routes.

With an emphasis on reaching into the community and alleviating overcrowding, the plan will provide Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit access to many locations that lost service. The plan will also restore service to approximately 2,000 of the 2,300 bus stops to which service was temporarily suspended in March. Added frequency will alleviate crowded conditions on the most heavily used routes. Some Express MetroBus service in north, south and west St. Louis County will also be restored.

The service restorations are made possible by a one-time emergency infusion of $12 million from the Missouri Legislature and a grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program that will provide Metro with $3.8 million annually for two years. This funding is expected to support restored services for just over 10 months, starting August 3.

“We’re pleased to report that the restoration plan we’ve developed addresses 90 percent of the concerns that were raised by our customers,” stated Ray Friem, Chief Operating Officer of Transit Services. “By getting creative in our planning, we’ve been able to create some new routes and schedules, and expand other routes to help meet our most critical customer needs in key areas with the funds we have available. However, it’s important to note that, while the plan represents a significant improvement over the reduced system, it’s still a long way from the level of service that existed prior to the service cuts on March 30.”

With August 3 quickly approaching, a flurry of activity has been underway at Metro in preparation for the upcoming service restorations. Among the first visible signs of the service restoration is the recent installation of new covers on impacted bus stops across the region, alerting customers to reactivated bus stops. 

Behind-the-scenes, new bus schedules are being printed so they will be available to customers by August 3, and route information has been added to Metro’s website. Metro recalled operators who are undergoing refresher training before getting back on the road. Vehicles are also being made road-ready, and Metro’s maintenance crews are assuring vehicles are road tested.

“It’s exciting to see all the preparations that are underway as Metro gets ready to once again serve a broader customer base,” said Friem. “The emergency funding we’ve received has enabled us to recall many of our employees, who will be doing their part to help more of their fellow St. Louisans get back to work using transit.”

To answer questions and address concerns related to the August 3 service restorations, and provide updated timetables and schedules to riders, representatives from Metro will host informational booths at various MetroLink stations and MetroBus Transfer Centers in the region, tomorrow through Thursday, July 30.

Metro Information Booth Locations

Metro Ambassadors and Planning Department staff members will be on hand at various locations across the system this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to help customers prepare for the August 3 Service Restoration. They will staff the information bus, trailer or building as indicated below, from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. as follows:

Tuesday - July 28, 2009 : from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

North Hanley MetroLink Station (Information Bus in Bus Bay Area)
Shrewsbury MetroLink Station (Information Bus in Bus Bay Area)
Forest Park MetroLink Station (Information Bus in Bus Loop on DeBaliviere Blvd.
Civic Center MetroBus Transfer Center (Information in Ticket Trailer)

Wednesday - July 29, 2009 : from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Central West End MetroBus Transfer Center (Information Bus in Bus Bay Area)
Delmar LoopMetroLink Station (Information Bus at Bus Stop on Des Peres Ave.)
Clayton MetroLink Station (Information Bus in Bus Bay Area)
Riverview Hall MetroBus Transfer Center (Information Booth in Building)

Thursday – July 30, 2009 : from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Grand MetroLink Station (Information Bus located on Lower Level on Scott Ave.)
Rock Road MetroLink Station(Information Bus in Bus Bay Area)
Brentwood I-64 MetroLink Station (Information Bus in Bus Loop area)