Metro needs 2.5 Million more per year, for the next two years, in order to continue operating at the current service level.
NO INCREASE IN SERVICE
NO GUARANTEES THAT SERVICE WILL CONTINUE, AND NO PLANS TO IMPROVE SERVICES
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/03/public-hearing-for-proposed-fare.html
They have proposed three options to get this money.
Option 1:
.25 more per each Metrolink base fare
1.00 more per each weekly pass
8.00 more per each monthly pass
15.00 more per each semester pass
Option 2:
.25 more per each Metrolink base fare
2.00 more per each weekly pass
6.00 more per each monthly pass
25.00 more per each semester pass
Option 3:
3.00 more per each weekly pass
8.00 more per each monthly pass
25.00 more per each semester pass
They offer no explanation of how each of these individual options will generate that extra 2.5 million a year. Each option relies on different commuter fares.
There is no breakdown of how many train tickets are purchased every day, and no projected analysis of how the fare changes would affect their customers purchases.
(If the fare increase causes a weekly pass buyer to upgrade to a monthly pass, in Option 2, for instance, it means roughly $2 less in revenue for Metro for that month. The increase in pass prices, though, will likely mean that some people will not buy passes and use the bus more, but pay the more expensive cash fare each time, but for fewer rides.)
There is also no guarantee that we won't be hit again with service reduction.
OPTINSTL
OCCUPY! PUBLIC TRANSIT Image by Eric Drooker for Occupy Wall Street, click on image for Drooker's website
Showing posts with label bus fares. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bus fares. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
WHY DON'T BUS DRIVERS SELL DAY PASSES?
A day pass is $7.50. If you are going to be riding two or more bus/trains, three times in one day, with more than two hours between rides, you benefit from buying a day pass.
If you are going to buy two 2-hour transfers for $6 ($3 each), and then later, take only one more bus or train ($2), it is worth it to buy a day pass.
This is not uncommon- you go to work, you come home, you go out. Or you stop somewhere after work to shop or eat, etc.
When I asked the Metro Customer service line why bus driver's don't sell day passes, I was told "It is too dangerous for the bus driver to handle money."
She did not understand when I asked why the passes couldn't be sold the same as two-hour transfer tickets, via the fare box? I did not bother to continue my line of inquiry (an email of this blog post will serve better).
Are Metro executives are so inept that they do not see that it would not be difficult for bus driver's to have day passes, where $7.50 was paid into the new fare boxes, as it is for the same bus to take in three dollars, two or more times?
Ah, you see, they have potential to make more money that way.
Since the passes are only available at Metrolink stations and a few grocery stores, customers are more likely to pay $9 into the fare boxes.
EDIT: I didn't need to ask if the Metro Executives ever rode the bus when I got this response to the above plan: "You would have to wait while boarding as someone put in seven dollar bills!"
Well, people that get on with multiple children or other family members often have to buy three or more transfers, and that is nine dollars. If Metro Executives actually had to depend on the transportation they ride, they would know this already.
Read these posts, too: http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/03/metro-to-optinstl-do-our-job-for-us.html
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/03/do-metro-executives-ride-public-transit.html
If you are going to buy two 2-hour transfers for $6 ($3 each), and then later, take only one more bus or train ($2), it is worth it to buy a day pass.
This is not uncommon- you go to work, you come home, you go out. Or you stop somewhere after work to shop or eat, etc.
When I asked the Metro Customer service line why bus driver's don't sell day passes, I was told "It is too dangerous for the bus driver to handle money."
She did not understand when I asked why the passes couldn't be sold the same as two-hour transfer tickets, via the fare box? I did not bother to continue my line of inquiry (an email of this blog post will serve better).
Are Metro executives are so inept that they do not see that it would not be difficult for bus driver's to have day passes, where $7.50 was paid into the new fare boxes, as it is for the same bus to take in three dollars, two or more times?
Ah, you see, they have potential to make more money that way.
Since the passes are only available at Metrolink stations and a few grocery stores, customers are more likely to pay $9 into the fare boxes.
EDIT: I didn't need to ask if the Metro Executives ever rode the bus when I got this response to the above plan: "You would have to wait while boarding as someone put in seven dollar bills!"
Well, people that get on with multiple children or other family members often have to buy three or more transfers, and that is nine dollars. If Metro Executives actually had to depend on the transportation they ride, they would know this already.
Read these posts, too: http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/03/metro-to-optinstl-do-our-job-for-us.html
http://optinstl.blogspot.com/2014/03/do-metro-executives-ride-public-transit.html
PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED FARE INCREASE METRO BUS AND TRAIN
IF you cannot attend the hearings, please take this survey on line:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MetroTransitFareSurvey
The survey itself is only choosing from one of three fair options, and asks only what you normally purchase, but you can use the comments box.
BELOW is the cut and paste from the Metro website on 24 March 2014 at 15:25 CDT
http://www.metrostlouis.org/NewsProjects/NewsDetails.aspx?ID=421
The meetings for the 25 and 27th are not correct-- see this blog's sidebar OCCUPY THIS WEEK for the correct information.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MetroTransitFareSurvey
The survey itself is only choosing from one of three fair options, and asks only what you normally purchase, but you can use the comments box.
BELOW is the cut and paste from the Metro website on 24 March 2014 at 15:25 CDT
http://www.metrostlouis.org/NewsProjects/NewsDetails.aspx?ID=421
The meetings for the 25 and 27th are not correct-- see this blog's sidebar OCCUPY THIS WEEK for the correct information.
Public Meeting Dates Announced for Proposed Metro Fare Increase
3/10/2014
|
News Release
|
Bi-State
Development Agency/Metro is announcing the dates, times and locations of
three public information sessions and a public hearing about a proposed
fare increase that would go into effect in July 2014. In addition, the
agency is also announcing details about how the public can participate
online and provide feedback about this important topic as well.
Public Meeting
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Thursday, March 27, 2014
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
St. Louis City Hall St. Louis County Government Center
1200 Market Street Second Floor
St. Louis, MO 63103 41 South Central
Clayton, MO 63105
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
East St. Louis City Hall
301 River Park Drive
East St. Louis, Illinois 62201
Public Hearing
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. -- Formal presentation at 6 p.m.
Metro Headquarters
Board Room
707 North First Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
The general public is invited to attend one of these meetings to learn more about three fare increase options under consideration and to provide feedback. A fare increase is necessary to meet Metro transit’s fiscal year 2015 budgeted goal of a five percent increase in passenger revenue. All of these options would generate an additional $2.25 million in annual revenue. Based on public feedback, Metro will adopt one of the fare increase options or a modified version of the three options.
Option 1 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25); weekly pass from $25 to $26 (+$1); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $165 (+$15).
Option 2 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25): weekly pass from $25 to $27 (+$2); monthly pass from $72 to $78 (+$6) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
Option 3 would not change the MetroLink one-ride fare; weekly pass from $25 to $28 (+$3); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
The public meetings will be offered in an open house format with no formal presentations made. Metro staff will be available to discuss the fare increase options. The public hearing will include a formal presentation that will begin at 6 p.m., with the remaining time available for public comment. Residents who are not able to attend one of the public meetings are urged to participant and provide feedback online at www.metrostlouis.org/FaresPasses/FareIncrease2014.aspx
They may also comment on the proposed fare increase options by calling 314-982-1422, by email to FareIncrease2014@metrostlouis.org, or by mail to:
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro
Attn: Planning - Fare Increase 2014
707 North 1st Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014.
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro’s fiscal year 2015 operating budget is 3.6 % higher than it was in
2014 because of increases in the price of services and products like diesel fuel. All of Metro transit’s
revenue sources, including local sales taxes and passenger revenue, must grow to continue to sustain
the current service level.
Regular and modest fare increases are important to the long-term health of the transit system. Fare increases of about five percent approximately every two years are essential to continue the implementation of Moving Transit Forward, the region’s long-range plan for transit service operations, enhancement and capital investment.
The Bi-State Development Agency/Metro (BSDA/Metro) is the operator of the Metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; 372 MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 75 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 120 vans.
BSDA/Metro also owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport and its surrounding industrial business park, and the Gateway Arch Riverboats, as well as operates the Gateway Arch Revenue Collections Center, the Gateway Arch Transportation System, and the Gateway Arch Parking Facility.
Public Meeting
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Thursday, March 27, 2014
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
St. Louis City Hall St. Louis County Government Center
1200 Market Street Second Floor
St. Louis, MO 63103 41 South Central
Clayton, MO 63105
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
East St. Louis City Hall
301 River Park Drive
East St. Louis, Illinois 62201
Public Hearing
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. -- Formal presentation at 6 p.m.
Metro Headquarters
Board Room
707 North First Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
The general public is invited to attend one of these meetings to learn more about three fare increase options under consideration and to provide feedback. A fare increase is necessary to meet Metro transit’s fiscal year 2015 budgeted goal of a five percent increase in passenger revenue. All of these options would generate an additional $2.25 million in annual revenue. Based on public feedback, Metro will adopt one of the fare increase options or a modified version of the three options.
Option 1 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25); weekly pass from $25 to $26 (+$1); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $165 (+$15).
Option 2 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25): weekly pass from $25 to $27 (+$2); monthly pass from $72 to $78 (+$6) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
Option 3 would not change the MetroLink one-ride fare; weekly pass from $25 to $28 (+$3); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
The public meetings will be offered in an open house format with no formal presentations made. Metro staff will be available to discuss the fare increase options. The public hearing will include a formal presentation that will begin at 6 p.m., with the remaining time available for public comment. Residents who are not able to attend one of the public meetings are urged to participant and provide feedback online at www.metrostlouis.org/FaresPasses/FareIncrease2014.aspx
They may also comment on the proposed fare increase options by calling 314-982-1422, by email to FareIncrease2014@metrostlouis.org, or by mail to:
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro
Attn: Planning - Fare Increase 2014
707 North 1st Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014.
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro’s fiscal year 2015 operating budget is 3.6 % higher than it was in
2014 because of increases in the price of services and products like diesel fuel. All of Metro transit’s
revenue sources, including local sales taxes and passenger revenue, must grow to continue to sustain
the current service level.
Regular and modest fare increases are important to the long-term health of the transit system. Fare increases of about five percent approximately every two years are essential to continue the implementation of Moving Transit Forward, the region’s long-range plan for transit service operations, enhancement and capital investment.
The Bi-State Development Agency/Metro (BSDA/Metro) is the operator of the Metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; 372 MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 75 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 120 vans.
BSDA/Metro also owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport and its surrounding industrial business park, and the Gateway Arch Riverboats, as well as operates the Gateway Arch Revenue Collections Center, the Gateway Arch Transportation System, and the Gateway Arch Parking Facility.
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