Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: September 3, 2009
There’s a very nice article out today in the St. Louis Beacon that features Metro’s Jessica Mefford-Miller, our new Chief Planner, discussing the August 3 service changes. She discusses ridership numbers, the new routes, and funding issues, making several interesting points:
- The Planning Department tries to collect more than one month of ridership data before considering it “solid” data; she said information from one quarter, or three months, is better;
- Ridership may be light on some of the restored routes because there is an “expiration date” on the restored service since the funding for these routes came via one-time stimulus grants or emergency funding;
- Some of the service changes involved new routes, which do not have a market constituency built-in the way that the old “restored” routes did, and it takes a long time to build ridership.
The article also mentioned that Metro is “tweaking” fall schedules, making adjustments based on actual operations for the past month. According to Jessica, the changes are minor and will be invisible to most customers.
Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: August 28, 2009
Some transit-related links and news for yet another unseasonably gorgeous August Friday:
Enjoy your weekend!
Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: August 28, 2009
Steve at UrbanReviewSTL passes along a study (.pdf file here) that finds that homes in neighborhoods with higher “walk scores” tend to sell for a great value than comparable homes elsewhere. I think this is borne out in St. Louis via anecdotal evidence: Local realtor Dawn Griffin recently advertised several listings she had in a certain price range and “walkable to MetroLink.” Of course, Steve does point out that the value gained is greater in cities that are already more dense & urban, and lesser in smaller cities – but value gained is value gained, and the trend seems to be that people are willing to pay more to drive less.
Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: August 21, 2009
A native St. Louisan contacted us this week, letting us know that he runs a website called Nextstop.com (small world!) and that he has a contest running right now for readers to submit a guide to seeing their city via public transit. The prize is donated carbon offsets, and the product will be shared on the Nextstop.com website. Read details about the contest here, and submit your entry before the deadline on August 28!
Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: August 21, 2009
Close your eyes and picture a Metro bus: you see the cheery red & blue, the big “M” on the front, right? But you’ve seen other buses tooling around town that don’t look anything like our typical bus. Some of these are “wrapped” buses (opens a .pdf file) that advertisers pay for. But some are art buses, and, thanks to the Missouri Botanical Garden, now you get a chance to paint one!
Yes, you read that right. As a part of the celebration of the Garden’s EarthWays Center Green Homes Festival, the Missouri Botanical Garden is sponsoring a bus-painting event at the festival on Saturday, September 26, from noon to 2 p.m. at Grandel Square. Wouldn’t you love to paint an art bus mural? Imagine how fun it will be the first time you spot your artwork rolling around St. Louis! Wear old clothes and come with a sense of fun, to enjoy the festival and the bus painting, where you can also shop at a Green Craft Show and Sale, watch solar cars race, and attend sustainable-living workshops. And while you’re out there, say hi to our Arts in Transit crew who work to coordinate these fun projects for Metro.
Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: August 21, 2009
Eads Bridge under construction
As we contemplate Metro’s upcoming sixtieth anniversary, we’ll take some time on the blog to look back at Metro’s history and see how transit in St. Louis has changed over the last six decades. Today I want to discuss the capital improvements of Metro – that is, the infrastructure. One big part of Metro’s responsibility is to maintain and improve the infrastructure of the light rail and bus systems. The first phase of MetroLink was constructed in the early 1990s, but pieces of the infrastructure (like bridges) have been around for much longer. Similarly, bus stops and transfer center work within street grids and city facilities that were there long before the bus came.
These “capital projects” are a large task, but happen mostly behind the scenes and in small ways.Working in the engineering department puts me in daily contact with the people who work on the capital projects, so my plan is to keep you, blog readers, updated on Metro’s ongoing capital projects.
Let’s pause a moment here because I know what you’re thinking – If Metro had to cut service because of money problems, how can Metro afford to do these projects? Readers have heard the “capital” vs. “operations” discussion before here and here, but for a good explanation of this issue (one common to all U.S. transit agencies accepting federal dollars), take a look at this post from the Transit Riders Alliance. So capital funds are a separate issue from operating money. Also, the federal government’s economic stimulus package – the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – has allocated some funds to Metro for capital improvements, but for the most part those funds cannot be used for operations.
Back to Metro’s capital projects: right now, Metro is working on or starting an interesting range of projects, from the large & visible to invisible-to-customers but important. My plan is to do a series of posts discussing each project, and then provide regular updates on the blog so that you can follow the progress of each project. Projects currently underway include:
- Rehabilitation work on the Eads Bridge;
- Replacing the MetroLink bridge over Vandeventer Avenue;
- ADA upgrades for bus stops;
- The Scott Avenue transit plaza project, planned in conjunction with the City of St. Louis’s replacement of the Grand Avenue bridge;
- Installation of a paint booth at the Illinois maintenance facility;
- Construction of an “interlocking” near UMSL.
“Watch this space” for more detailed project information.
Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: August 14, 2009
Here are some transit and development-related links worth passing along on a beautiful Friday.
Written by Jennifer
Last Updated:: August 14, 2009
- Welcome to the Loop sign, courtesy of the New York Times
Because it’s Friday, I’m in the mood to share a little happy here. The other night I had a great evening out at the Delmar Loop. My friend and I met for beverages and dinner at Blueberry Hill, probably the most iconic destination on the Loop. Because it was a gorgeous night and the street was hoppin’, we strolled up and down, peering into shops and galleries, enjoying the crowd and the vibe.
Delmar Loop is one of those spots in St. Louis that really has a feeling of “place” – it has a character, it feels like a cohesive neighborhood. There’s no question that people are drawn to its glow like moths – there’s never a spot to park on the streets and usually the public parking is full, too. That’s a good reason to take MetroLink – the Delmar Loop station drops you off right at one end of the Loop, and you can make a whole evening of strolling up one side of the street and back down the other.
- Blueberry Hill sign, courtesy of Blueberry Hill
The street is packed with unusual and interesting sights, both in the stores and on the sidewalks – there is an abundance of public art, interestingly-dressed people, books and quirky knick-knacks for sale…even the business signs are nice to view. You can shop for furniture, gifts, or a computer; see a rock n roll legend in concert; eat fondue, Thai, sushi, or burgers; drink fresh-brewed root beer or elaborate coffee creations; drink a martini and try to bowl a few strikes; and spend hours flipping through old records. What’s not to love about the Loop? And with this amazing summer weather we’re having, and open access to the Loop via MetroLink and Metro Bus, there’s always a fun evening to be had under the stars.
- Chuck Berry’s Walk of Fame Star, courtesy of Blueberry Hill
Written by Todd H
Last Updated:: August 13, 2009
The NextStop team is pleased to share this announcement with our readers:
“Raymond Friem, Chief Operating Officer, announced today that Jessica Mefford-Miller has been appointed as Chief of Planning and System Development. In this role she will lead the staff of the Planning, Scheduling, Research & Development, and Customer Service Departments. Over the next year, this group will play a major role in crucial projects including the Agency’s Long Range Transit Plan. Jessica’s intellect and energy in this position will help shape a positive future for our customers and the Agency.”
Congratulations, Jessica!
Written by Courtney
Last Updated:: August 12, 2009
Sandbox
You’re standing on a MetroLink train, scanning the aisles for a seat. Right behind you, next to the doors, is a waist-high metal box. Hmmm…”Do Not Sit Here”? But it’s conveniently seat shaped! If you are standing there with a bike, the temptation is terrible! Squash that urge, fellow riders. The box actually does serve a very important purpose: helping stop the train.
The box holds a quantity of sand that is systematically released to increase friction on the tracks. From Etta Gibson in MetroLink Training:
The Train Operator can apply sand by pressing the sand button that is located on the Operator’s console; or by applying the Track Brake, or the Emergency Brake. Sand is automatically dropped when the Train Operator applies the Track Brake, the Emergency Brake, or when the wheels spin or slide.
When the Operator presses the sand button on their console, or applies the Emergency Brake, sand is dropped from the sandbox through a nozzle by compressed air onto the rails ahead of the leading wheels, which results in added traction that slows the train, or stop the wheels from spinning or sliding.
Basically, the sandbox serves a very similar role as the trucks that dump salt or sand on icy roads. Therefore, the sandbox is definitely not a seat. It’s an integral part of the train’s safety mechanisms. So next time the temptation rises to sit your work-weary self on the sandbox, let it pass. The sandbox is hard at work ensuring you a safe ride home.
