August 12, 2010 | 25 Comments

August 30 Service Change Information, Metro Ambassadors Out August 17-27

The August 30 Restoration 2010 service changes are coming in only a few weeks.  To help make the transition easier and to help inform riders of what to expect, Metro employees will be out at many Missouri MetroLink stations and transfer centers starting on August 17.  Please see the following schedule to find out when we’ll be coming to your stations and transfer centers, and what you can expect to learn. During the first week, Metro ambassadors will distribute a route-by-route service change brochure and schedule of where the Information Buses will be August 23-27:

Tuesday, August 17

Clayton MetroBus Transfer Center                                   6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Central West End MetroBus Transfer Center                3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Shrewsbury MetroBus Bays                                                 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 18

Brentwood MetroBus Transfer Center                            6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. 

Rock Road MetroBus Bays                                                   6:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

Wellston MetroBus Bay                                                         6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

North Hanley MetroBus Bays                                             3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 19

Delmar MetroBus Bays                                                          6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Hampton-Gravois MetroBus Transfer Centers            6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Riverview Hall MetroBus Transfer Center                     6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Civic Center MetroBus Transfer Center                          3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Information will be at an information table at Ballas Transfer Center starting August 17.  The next week, members of the Metro Planning Department, Transit Service Managers and other Metro employees will be out with a traveling Metro Information Bus and Information Tables at key locations, answering questions and handing out MetroBus schedules and route maps.

Monday, August 23

Clayton MetroBus Transfer Center                                    5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Shrewsbury MetroBus Bays                                                 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 24

Rock Road MetroBus Bays                                                     5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

North Hanley MetroBus Transfer Center                        2:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 25

Riverview MetroBus Transfer Center                                 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Civic Center MetroBus Transfer Center                            2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 26

Delmar MetroBus Bays                                                            5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Central West End MetroBus Transfer Center                 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Friday, August 27

Brentwood I-64 MetroBus Transfer Center                    5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Hampton-Gravois MetroBus Transfer Center               3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

You can also view all MetroBus service changes and new Missouri System Maps (including Downtown St. Louis and Clayton insets) online. We’ll be sending out daily reminders of where the Metro Ambassadors and our Metro Information Bus are from Metro’s Twitter account (@STLMetro) and Facebook page.

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Author:Courtney

View all posts by Courtney →
  • Phil

    I notice with the new plan, service is degraded for many users. The 56 Webster-Kirkwood only will run every 40 minutes instead of every 30 at rush hour. Similarly, the 13 Union now runs every half hour between Central West End and SLU; when it is replaced by the 42 Sarah the frequency will be only every 40 minutes. I think it is misleading to tout this as “improved service.”

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      Phil,

      I’m working on your answer. Got a response from our planning department, but I think I need to delve deeper to understand what’s going on based on your comments. I do know that the 42 Sarah reroute vs. #13 Union is in part due to the Grand Bridge reconstruction that was set to begin this fall, but now will be winter until they get started.

      Mike, the #16 City Limits is not changing service. Not sure about the #15, we currently don’t have a 15 route.

      Karen, I will pass along your comment and see if I can get you an explanation. Thanks!

  • Mike

    what’s the status for routes #15 or #16? I haven’t seen new schedules for those routes.

  • Karen

    Courtney why wasn’t the 274 Paddock Hill Express restored this bus should be restored. There are a lot of riders that need and miss this bus its a faster commute downtown for parents and workers. Why was the 75 created? A waste BRING BACK PADDOCK HILLS it services a neighborhood LILLIAN which is still without a bus service. They truly had a LONG ride to get a busline. Please take in consideration of bring back the 274X Paddock Hills

    Thank You

  • Mike

    Courtney,

    The #15 is, or was the Hodiamont line. Was that route discontinued?

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      That route was discontinued in March 2009, and unfortunately won’t be coming back. Also, Karen, this is also true of the #274 Paddock Hills. Apparently both routes had low ridership, and it was decided not to return the service.

  • Patrick Richmond

    We have many, many people who work at St. John’s Mercy, that have to change buses at the Ballas Transit Center IN THE HEAT!!! Sure the waiting room is air conditioned, but the run to St. John’s hospital on the Lindbergh is NOT that far to make any difference on costs. I can’t believe that the Hodiamont line is closed for good! I guess if the loop trolley company makes good on the Delmar line, there may a possibility for an idea with the Hodiamont line. Now I am worried about the old Right-of-Way.

  • Patrick Richmond

    We need to advertise the service as well rather keep it secret from all TV channels.

  • Mike

    So much for Metro’s promise of full restoration of service lost in March 2009. It looks like it was just a “campaign pitch” to get our votes for Prop A.

    I remember Metro’s promised to preserve its level of service, to be followed by additional service enhancements, at the time they were campaigning for Prop M, which would have been made possible from the funds generated from a !/2 cent sales tax increase. Although Prop M failed, the voter’s approval of Prop A will now generate the funds to make it possible for Metro to deliver on its original promise.

    Just think about the people who lost service and subsequently voted for Prop A, thinking if the measure passed, they would have their service restored to them. I don’t use Metro but I certainly care about the rights of people who use Metro, as well as Metro properly using my tax dollars.

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      Mike,

      Metro is committed to restoring levels of service lost in March 2009, and some of that includes changes in service routes, times, new routes, etc. It does mean the same service area however, just some routes have changed. Since the last major service changes year ago there have been changes in markets, new employment centers, new hospitals, changes in roads/highways, etc. Bus service will have changes to reflect new information and data about the region combined with customer feedback and cost-benefit analysis. While lines like the Hodiamont, with low ridership, will not return, more service is going to places like the Macy’s call center, to Meramec College, and other places. The Hodiamont route was a short, limited run route that is served by other routes like the #94, #91, #13, #97, #16, etc.

  • Mike

    Patrick,

    A spokesperson from Metro’s Planning Dept. informed me, about a couple of weeks ago, that it cost Metro $205 dollars (not including fuel costs) for Metro to deviate service from an assigned route. I would be interested on the break down of that amount but I’m no longer interested: I think it’s all politics.

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      Mike,

      I will tell you from a personal account, the Hodiamont suffered from lagging ridership. I used to catch the train at the Wellston Station, the hub of the Hodiamont, and am really familiar with the boardings from an observational viewpoint. While I saw the #94 Page have steady ridership, much less so the #15.

  • Mike

    Patrick,

    Corrction to my previous message. That cost was $205 PER MINUTE.

  • Mike

    Courtney,

    What are Karen’s alternative to catching the discontinued X274 Paddock Hills, or those who lost service from the discontinued X374 Shackleford?

  • Patrick Richmond

    Courtney, I mentioned about the service at the hospital, and no reply. We even have workers that have to be at work at 5:00 AM. And sometimes earlier! During the temporary service restoration on the Lindbergh, I had it made! DIRECT service to St. John’s. Now it’s gone! There were some others that rides the same line as I do. People from North County are suffering too! I remember one time when I had to change buses at the Ballas Transit Center in the winter, the walk wasn’t shoveled or salted in the morning time and I fell!

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      Patrick and Mike,
      I will pass along your comments, and am truly sorry for changes that negatively affect riders. I know many of them are very positive changes for riders as well. We just have to take public input, and try to provide the best service we can with available resources. Members of the planning department and transit service managers will be out on the system next week; if can also talk directly with one of them about specific service changes. I’m not sure which direct service you mean, but St. John’s will be served by the #49, #58, #98 and #158 routes.

  • Phil

    So what did your research uncover about the less frequent service on the #56 and #13(converted to #42)? As it is my shortest bus commute from South City to SLU is 41 minutes, compared to 15 minutes by car and 20 minutes by bicycle. With the new bus service, we’re looking at close to an hour in some cases (for a distance of less than 5 miles!)

    Specifically, I would like Metro to reconsider the 40-minute frequency at rush hour on the #56 and #42 (just bring it back to every half hour between 7 and 9 am and 4 and 6 pm., and I’ll be happy) The less convenient you make transit, the fewer people that will take it, and the less passenger revenue you will generate. 40-minute intervals are also a pain to keep track of, from the passenger’s point of view.

    Most importantly, please don’t say you’re restoring or improving service when you’re not.

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      Phil,

      The #56 is moving from 40 minute all day service instead of more frequent during rush hour but an hour during the rest of the day. I’ve voiced your concerns with planning department and customer service. But perhaps the varying time is to work with students taking evening and day courses at Webster University and Meramec College? The #56 serves both of those universities.

      The #13 converted to #42 has to do with reroutes anticipating the Grand Viaduct closure (originally scheduled for September but now moved back to January). I will voice your concern with scheduling about 40-minutes and convenience. Thanks for your feedback.

  • Mike

    Courtney,

    I have no problem reducing or discontinuing service when a transit line is experiencing poor ridership. However, I thought some sort of “due process” procedure was in order before the reduction or dicontinuance takes place.

    When transit systems feels the need to reduce or discontinue transit service, whether it be for budget reasons, or whether a particular route has experienced poor ridership, they normally provide “due process” by holding public meetings before they take effect. After passing Prop A, I realize that until enough funds become available from the 1/2 cent tax levied from Prop. A, Metro can only do so much at this point.

    True, public hearings were held prior to March 2009 service cuts due to the failure of Prop M. I don’t recall any such meetings or any other type of “due process” mentioned prior to discontinuing bus routes due to poor ridership, which is separate and apart from the reasons for the March 2009 reductions.

    If Prop M had passed, would Metro have provided due process before any routes were discontinued due to poor ridership?

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      We carried out a series of public meetings regarding the restoration changes after the passage of Proposition A: http://www.nextstopstl.org/2108/restoration-2010-we-need-your-input/ (if you click under the tab Restoration 2010 there are a number of posts on the proposed changes). The changes that were being proposed are outlined at various stages. These changes include new routes and other route changes…so some of the routes that had service duplication, or served by new routes, but most of the examples cited on Nextstop are not new developments. The Paddock Hills and Hodiamont route were eliminated March 2009 with the original service cuts; the #75 was a temporary route and didn’t exist before August 2009 when Metro received emergency funding from the state of Missouri and other sources.

      I know some of these changes aren’t optimal for every person, but there are many positive changes, and we will continue to work with the community and improve service, but we have to try to make choices that make the best use of resources.

  • Patrick Richmond

    Yes 49 would work for me if they would get rid of the split at the Ballas Transit Center. And if the split has to remain, then the #48 with the small bus should continue to use the highway rather than Clayton Road.

  • Patrick Richmond

    For some that might not know the history of the Hodiamont line, the line was one of the oldest lines running in St. Louis. It began it’s operation in 1859 as a streetcar line. It continued to run as a streetcar line until May 21, 1966. It was converted to bus operation. The March 30th service cuts spelled the end of the line as a whole. When the line was converted to bus operation, ridership on that line went down. Just like the Titanic. The operation of the line when it ran as a streetcar line can still be seen in the KETC film, “Ride of a Lifetime”. Gaslight Square was one of the busiest areas in St. Louis that kept the line busy.

  • Patrick Richmond

    I see nothing in the Call-a-Ride brochure for visitors that come to St. Louis from other cities that are ADA compliant. We need to do something for those visitors so that the can use Call-a-Ride.

  • Mike

    Most of the Hodiamont streetcar line ran through it’s own private right-of-way, and not alongside of traffic. They often traveled very swiftly (for streetcar standards) through the right-of-way. The Hodiamont may have actually been the first streetcar line in the nation to have its own right-of-way.

  • Patrick Richmond

    It seems that someone wants to see to it that the #56 NEVER gets the Sunday service back. When it once ran on Sundays, some people would ride it to church. And at times, during the summer, once in a while, I too would be one of those riders. It also seems that if I want to go to St. John’s to work, I have to get off on Clayton Road and get a 49 or go REAL early to get the #158 to get to work via the highway. Going to the Ballas Transit Center via Clayton Road is #58′s job, NOT #48′s job. Why in the name of thunder deny South Countians the right to use the highway just to get to St. John’s Mercy???? That is totally unfair!!!! Some say there aren’t enough buses to go around to return the #56 to Sunday service. RUBBISH!!!! There ARE enough buses to go around to return Sunday service to the #56!!! Tell the truth!!