Blog: News, Updates, and Reports from CMT

The Senate released its version of the COVID-19 relief package this morning, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which includes $25 billion for public transit. Funding would be allocated to transit operators to protect public health and safety while ensuring transportation access to jobs, medical treatment, food, and other essential services remain … Continued

The U.S. House released its version of the third coronavirus relief bill Monday. The Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, H.R. 6379, would provide $25 billion in grants to the transit industry. The transit funding would be administered through the Federal Transit Administration using Fiscal Year 2020 formulas and could be used by agencies … Continued

While we adjust to the dramatic changes to daily life amidst the spread of COVID-19, one thing is unchanged – public transit access remains essential. Local transit agencies, as well as those across the state and nationwide, are working tirelessly to provide as much service as possible during this pandemic, while also focusing on keeping … Continued

The Senate COVID-19 Relief bill currently includes $20 billion for public transit with $4 billion earmarked for rural transit.  The Senate is now in negotiations with House leaders to include a revised version of the trillion-dollar-plus relief bill to contain almost $90 billion in federal assistance for transportation. The House is also leading a separate … Continued

Transit agencies across the country are stepping up to ensure vital service while taking safety precautions for staff and riders alike during the COVID-19 outbreak. Metro Transit in St. Louis is  constantly reviewing and tweaking protocols to do just that.  Metro Transit is delivering vital service for essential employees including healthcare workers, doctors, first responders, and other essential … Continued

Recently APTA circulated the funding request below to its membership.  Please consider reaching out to your congressional delegation in support of APTA’s COVID-19 funding request. You can simply forward this email to your delegation and personalize some of the impacts you are seeing on the ground. There are numerous reports of increased costs and reduced … Continued

As we continue to move through the ever changing environment surrounding COVID-19, one of Citizens for Modern Transit’s priorities is to ensure riders have the latest information on transit and the current protocols in place. Here is a message from Metro Transit, “We are keeping a close eye on COVID-19 developments and are in communication … Continued

  Since the coronavirus outbreak began, we have been watching with concern and taking the necessary actions to protect the health of our members and ensure the smooth operations of the organization.  We know that your first and most likely 900th thought is not about CMT.  However, our membership is the top of our mind … Continued

15 winners were selected out of 309 entries, triple the total number of previous submissions Winning poems created by 15 talented bi-state area poets are being displayed on the Metro Transit system for the next year. The poems were selected from submissions for the 2019 MetroLines program, a regional poetry competition hosted by Metro Arts … Continued

Built in 1938 by the federal Public Works Administration, the 200,000 square foot St. Louis Armory was for many years home to the 138th Infantry Missouri National Guard. Later it hosted amateur sports, including tennis, where future greats Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors trained, as well as rock concerts, including the Grateful Dead and Tina … Continued

St. Louis Metro Transit has released the following statement and list of resources regarding the COVID-19 virus.  The full statement and original page can be viewed here. “We are keeping a close eye on COVID-19 developments and are in communications with local, regional and state health officials. As a precaution, we have enhanced our cleaning … Continued

Citizens for Modern Transit (“CMT”) is seeking a graphic design consultant to assist CMT with the campaign for CMT’s Transit: Passport to STL education program to promote ridership on the transit system.  The goal will be to increase ridership on the system over the summer months. Work products will include creation of one transit passport, … Continued

As Metro Transit and the St. Clair County Transit District undergo changes with the complete re-visioning of their bus systems in Missouri and Illinois, MicroTransit is beginning to fill not only first/last mile needs but the gaps in service where a large, fixed-route bus no longer makes sense.   MicroTransit is demand-responsive transportation that offers flexible … Continued

Metro Transit will make adjustments to more than two dozen MetroBus routes in the City of St. Louis and in St. Louis starting Monday, March 16, as part of the quarterly service change. Following the implementation of a redesigned MetroBus service plan last fall, Metro has been closely monitoring trip data and reviewing feedback from … Continued