CMT Facilitates Forum Allowing Public Transit Officials to Engage Directly with the Public

Dozens of transit riders, and members of the community at-large, joined Citizens for Modern Transit’s virtual “Candid Conversation with Commuters” event on Friday, Jan. 10 to get an update on the many advances surrounding public transportation in 2025 and ask questions.

Trenise Winters, Assistant Executive Director of Metro Transit, Jessica Gershman, Assistant Executive Director of Planning & System Development at Metro Transit, Timothy Nittler, Senior Director of Capital Projects at Metro Transit, and Tom Curran, Executive Vice-President of Administration at Bi-State Development were among the transit officials who participated in this public forum. The conversation was moderated by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit.

During the hour-long event transit officials provided an update on the:

• Rollout of new fare collection features, including validators on MetroBus and MetroLink, ticket vending machines, e-tickets and an app.
• Status of operator employment, noting that Metro Transit is no longer experiencing shortages as it relates to MetroBus and Call-A-Ride services – but is still in need of five MetroLink operators and will be hosting hiring events
• Maintenance and repair projects at the 8^th & Pine and Convention Center MetroLink Stations
• Implementation of the Secure Platform Plan
• Slow and steady ridership increases
• Phone system upgrades and launch of new software for Call-A-Ride services
• Changes to micro transit service
• Next MetroBus service changes set for March 2025
• Digital signage and public address system upgrades, including real-time vehicle location information; and
• Upcoming rider survey this spring

Transit officials then took the time to thoughtfully reply to a series of commuter questions submitted in advance of the event, as well as those taken live through the “chat” feature.

Click here or watch below access the “Candid Conversation with Commuters” in its entirety.

Miss the webinar or have questions that weren’t answered during the event?  Reach out to CMT at info@cmt-stl.org with your questions and we will follow up with the panelists.

Additional questions shared with CMT:

Q: Will Smart Cards ever be usable on Call-A-Ride?

A: Call-A-Ride was not procured in the current Fare Collection program.  Call-A-Ride is currently looking into options to enhance their riders’ experience, through electronic payments.