Metro Transit has bus transit operations in St. Louis for the third time in seven months due to systemwide staff shortages.
Metro Transit has slashed transit service in St. Louis for the third time in seven months, according to an article by Monica Obradovic published by the Riverfront Times. Metro Transit officials blame the cuts on staffing shortages.
“In a news release, the agency said it will reduce frequency or temporarily suspend services to 30 MetroBus routes due to low ridership during weekends and weekday evenings,” reports Obradovic of the most recent changes to the Metro Transit system.
“The reduction comes after Metro indefinitely suspended routes or reduced service in November, after the agency had cut service by 5 percent eight months before. In March, Metro Transit also made cuts to its paratransit system, Call-A-Ride, to much outcry,” adds Obradovic.
As for the staffing shortages responsible for the cuts, Obradovic reports that the system is short 240 bus operators, 15 MetroLink operators, and more than 88 Call-A-Ride operators from budgeted capacity. Metro Transit officials are currently in negotiations with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 788 that could produce quality of life improvements for transit staff, and help stop the decline of transit service in St. Louis.
More details on the transit agency’s operator shortage and service cuts can be found at the source article below.
FULL STORY: Metro Transit Slashes St. Louis Bus Service — Again
Driver Shortages and Service Reductions: The Crisis in Public Transit Continues
While transit systems around the country had reason to celebrate the new funding made available in the federal infrastructure bill, long-term concerns about operational capacity have not been resolved.
Stop Thinning Underway in St. Louis
Metro Transit recently announced its plans to remove or relocate 450 bus stops systemwide in St. Louis city and county. After adjusting that number to 370 bus stops, the work of consolidating bus stops is underway.
The Bus Revolution Has Been Revised in Philadelphia
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority went back to the drawing board with its Bus Revolution system redesign after an initial round of feedback completed earlier this year.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)