September 12, 2011 | 15 Comments

Metro Transit to Receive Input from New Citizen Advisory Group

Metro is in the process of forming a new Citizen Advisory Group that will provide another channel of communication between Metro Transit customers and Metro leaders on public transit issues in the community.

 The Citizen Advisory Group will be comprised of volunteers from the community who will be selected through an application process.   Citizen Advisors will meet with Metro leadership to provide feedback, share experiences and suggestions, offer input into transit decisions, and communicate riders’ concerns and priorities in transit planning and operations.

Watch for more information and for an application to be a part of  the Citizen Advisory Group. More details will be available next month.

Author:Patti

View all posts by Patti →
  • jamie

    add me to the list.

    • Patti

      Jamie, thank you for your interest in serving on the Citizen Advisory Group (CAG). We cannot add you to the list though because there will be an application process to select the CAG volunteers. We will have more information coming out in October about the CAG and how you can apply.

  • Dkh2

    I have a question. We purchase Madison County Transit Multi Use 2Hour passes for $2.75. Are those transfers honored on all MetroBus and MetroLink as long as their is still time left on the transfer? We have run into problems multiple times where Metro dirvers would like to keep them even though time is still remaining on the transfer. 2 drivers told us that we could only use them as far as Downtown St. Louis but that is not what MCT has told us. Can you enlighten me how the Madison County Transit Transfer is honored on Metro Transit (Missouri and Illinois St. Clair County Transit) to eliviate confusion? Thanks so much.

    • Patti

      Still trying to get clarification about the Madison County Multi-Use 2 Hour passes for you. If you have a moment tomorrow, you might call our customer service department and ask them about it. The number from Illinois is 618-271-2345 and the number from Missouri is 314-231-2345. They are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    • Patti

      Dkh2: Just got some new information about Madison County Transit passes that hasn’t even been updated on our website yet, but will be soon. Hopefully, the updated information below will answer your questions. Just let us now if you have any other questions.

      From MCT system to Metro system Metro accepts:

      —ONLY Blue Regional Transfers: this transfer is good for ONE ride after boarding a Metro bus or train from an MCT bus-it is NOT good for 2 hours
      —NO GREEN MCT local transfers
      —NO MCT Passes of any kind (monthly or student passes)

      From Metro system to MCT system MCT accepts:

      —Metro two-hour transfer: however, this transfer is good for ONE ride after boarding an MCT bus from a Metro bus or Metrolink train-it is NOT good for 2 hours
      —Metro Weekly passes ($23.50)
      —Metro monthly passes ($68 full fare, $34 senior, disabled, children ages 5-12)

  • Tina Totty

    I would be interested in Serving as a Citizen Advisor!

    • Patti

      Tina, thanks for being interested in becoming a Citizen Advisor. You will need to go through an application process to be considered for the Citizen Advisory Group (CAG). More information about the how to apply will be available next month.

  • RTBones

    The cynic in me wonders exactly what impact this new “Advisory Group” will have, or is intended to have. Even having read the description several times now, I wonder how much more effective it will be than comments here, on Facebook, on Twitter, or called/emailed in. I wonder if Metro is paying for this group, or an outside entity is providing money for it (I am assuming, if nothing else, there will be some sort of administrative cost which will need to be accounted for somehow, given that there is an application process).

    • Patti

      Feedback on transit experiences from our passengers is extremely important. Right now, we receive those on an individual, random basis. This would provide a more concerted effort to talk transit face to face with our customers in a group setting. We hope the Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) will be willing to work with us so we can better understand and better communicate with our customers. We look forward to working with a proactive and engaged group. You asked about costs related to the new group— Metro employees will add the CAG to their duties.

  • Alycia Green

    If Metro is looking for a CAG member who has public engagement experience. Has participated in discussion about and around public transportation and funding. Someone who has first had knowledge on the struggles with using public transportation as an ADA passenger. Then I am that person.

    • Patti

      We are glad you are interested in becoming a member of the CAG. You will be able to describe your expertise and qualifications during the application process. More information about how to apply will be available next month.

  • dkh2

    Ok thank you, but I don’t understand why passengers who pay the same price for a MCT Regional transfer as a Metro Multi Use transfer should be given up at the time of boarding. There may be a person who has to make multiple transfers to get from point A to point B but would have to pay $5.50 for one way. Also, this information is not what Madison County Transit has told us and it is not implimented on MCT Regional Transfers. Thanks Patti :)

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

      Dkh2: What has Madison County Transit told you about MCT to Metro transfers? I think the current structure is seen as a compromise between the two fare systems. It’s great to see both Metro and MCT working together!

  • dkh2

    It is a good thing, but I think there there is a lack of communitcation between MCT to the Passengers, and Metro with the Metro drivers. My father and I commuted to st. Louis last Thursday and Friday riding the #98 from N. Hanley to Ballas TC…The driver accepted that we should keep them… The next driver on the #58 at Ballas headed to Clayton Sta said she has never seen nor heard of Madison County Transit or thei transfers. The week before, we ran into two drivers who said we can only use them in the Downtown area for the two hours. That’s 3 different resposes heard from the drivers. So can a memo be passed out to all of the Metro drivers so that they can be informed how to accept the MCT transfers? I still don’t think it’s right that you pay $2.75 (Metro Fare) and you can’t follow Metro guidlines though.

    Thanks Courtney and Patti :) Sorry for the legnthyness!!!

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

      Quite alright, dkh2, thanks for the concern and observation. I will send a note to our bus operations and training that you witnessed inconsistency with operators re: MCT fare. Some operators might have incorrect information. Thanks, we’ll get moving on that!