Weigh in with St. Louis County Council Today on Transit Investment

Updated, November 15, 2023 

St. Louis County Council Chair Shalonda Webb reintroduced the FY2024 transit appropriation, Bill 230,  at the St. Louis County Council meeting on October 24, 2023.   On Nov. 14, members of the County Council perfected Bill 230  with a 6-1 vote in favor of the appropriation.  The final passage on the bill could come as early as next Tuesday, Nov. 21. 

In addition, Metro Transit announced they are investing in several areas to improve service:

1. Scheduling Software: Upgrading the existing scheduling software (known as Trapeze).  Status: Upgrade work on scheduling software has already begun.
2. Phone System:  Enhancing the phone bank systems to handle peak system demands. Status: The IT and Call-A-Ride leadership teams are working to address the phone system.  Metro Transit will also allocate the necessary financial and personnel resources to facilitate these phone system upgrades.
3. ADA Consultant: Metro Transit leadership and ADA Services Department are currently working to engage an outside consultant to review ADA accessibility across Metro Transit, recommend changes/enhancements and assist with developing an overall plan of execution.

Thanks to everyone who has reached out and continues to reach out on this important appropriation.    We are asking CMT members and transit supporters to continue to weigh in with St. Louis County Council members on the importance of this appropriation. 

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On Oct. 17, the St. Louis County Council took up the final vote for the FY2024 transit appropriation.  Unfortunately, the votes were not there in support of the bill with several County Council members not present, and the motion failed.

Citizens for Modern Transit has been urging members of the St. Louis County Council to support the FY2024 $128,550,848 Budget Appropriation Request from Bi-State Development. This year’s request would help to ensure the agency can deliver current service levels while looking to the future including building the operator base and expansion of the system in St. Louis County.

The bill will be reintroduced this coming Tuesday, Oct. 24 with three required votes happening on Oct. 24, Oct. 31 and then Nov. 7 or Nov. 14.  We are asking CMT members and transit supporters to consider weighing in with St. Louis County Council members on the importance of this appropriation.

As the regional transit advocacy organization representing more than 22,000 constituents, including riders, major employers, academic institutions, labor and community organizations, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is, and will continue to be, committed to advocating for a safe, secure, high-quality transit system for current and future riders. While we have seen the challenges the agency has faced post-pandemic including operator shortages and resulting service adjustments, we know transit is a critical component of the transportation system and this appropriation request affords the agency the opportunity to continue to move forward on safety and security, service levels, ridership and cost management.

We believe that significant steps are being taken in the right direction, and plans are underway to continue to move the agency to success.  We are asking supporters to urge County Council members to approve the FY2024 appropriation request to ensure the transit agency can get back to the job of delivering critically important and high-quality transit services in St. Louis County.

Thanks in advance for your help.