Commentary Detail

Windows Media
WMP (56 kbps)
MP3
MP3 (56 kbps)

For the past several years, I have served on the Citizens for Modern Transit Board of Directors, an advocacy organization for mass transit. During this period, I have learned a great deal about St. Louis’ successful regional transit system. It is an integrated system of buses, Metro Link light rail, and Call-A-Ride vans.

For fiscal year 2008, total Metro boarding will approach 59 million. 75% of Metro’s riders use it to get to work and they earn two billion dollars in annual wages in Missouri. 76% of the bus riders and 15% of the Metro Link riders don’t own automobiles. Each day Metro system keeps 45,000 automobiles off of our streets and highways; thus, saving gasoline, improving our air quality, and reducing congestion, especially with the highway 64/40 construction project.

Under the new leadership of Metro, a number of improvements have been made. Personnel costs have been reduced from 71% to 66% while fuel costs have increased from $4 million in 2004 to $17 million in 2008.

I am recommending that St. Louis County residents vote "Yes" on Proposition M. The sales tax increase is one-half of 1%, only $.05 cents on a $10.00 purchase. The increased revenue will provide for the maintenance and expansion of the Metro system in St. Louis. I’m convinced that it is one of the best Metro systems in the nation.

(The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of St. Louis Public Radio.)

Back to Commentaries