MetroLink Station Usage

Station%20usage.pdf

Here is some data from Metro about station usage on MetroLink. The most used station is the Central West End station which no doubt because of its high employment center as well as strong neighborhood walk up usage and the new bus transfer center.

Also what the data show is that MetroLink is carrying some 25,000 people across the Mississippi River each day. Planners have noted a drop in bridge usage the last two years, maybe it is because of MetroLink and perhaps some people are making fewer trips.

Metro Market Research On-Line

Metro has begun posting it market research of customers on line. (To reach it, click here.) CMT also conducts its own research, although our surveys are admittedly to a self select group of riders, people who register their commute with us in order to be eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home program. Maybe we can post ours on line soon. We keep track of historical data as well. Metro conducts an on board survey of riders. Metro's is done under a contract with the University of Missouri-Rolla.

However, despite the two methods, they pretty much show the same thing: riders are generally satisfied with the service. MetroLink generally scores better than buses in all categories. People who quit riding public transit for one reason or another, probably are out of date on the service that Metro is providing these days. On-time performance of the bus system is in the low 90th percentile and MetroLink is in the upper 90th percentile.

One of the reasons for the improved scores is the improvements in management at Metro in recent years. Ray Friem is in charge of operations and has improved on-time performance, reliability of bus service and the attititude of some drivers. Metro's year-end report. In addition Metro is far more efficient, reducing absenteeism, workers compensation claims all of which as contributed to ridership gains.

Gone are a number of folks who go their jobs via the political route of yesteryear. On board now, if a remarkable improved management team that are producing great results for the community. I hope all of this will results in a positive vote for additional MetroLink lines. The system needs to expand.