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
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