Sometimes I don't even have to do the writing, and I can let the source speak for itself. Case in point, the "Metro Memo" e mail that just landed in my inbox. Text is below, click on the headline above to see the complete pretty Interwebs version.
As most of us who have an understanding of Missouri politics could have guessed, Metro has lost its second bid to get state funding to keep itself in business. Oh, and while they're at it, they're again cutting the hours they're available to give their disenfranchised customers what they claim to be "customer service".
May is coming tomorrow. I can't wait for the next half hour video briefing on how things didn't go so well in Jefferson City. Get me some popcorn!
April 30, 2009
Welcome to Metro's electronic magazine! You are receiving this
e-zine because of your connection to Metro or your interest in regional transit issues.
· Update on Metro Transit Funding from State of Missouri · Customer Service and Transit Information Hours Reduced
· Metro Official to Speak at Community Action Meeting
· Celebrate Chess with a Metro Art Bus Painting Event
House Bill 22 is Defeated
On Thursday, April 30, Missouri House Bill (HB) 22, which included $12 million of Stimulus/Stabilization funding for Metro, was defeated during a final vote by the Missouri House of Representatives.
Earlier in April, Missouri House Budget Chairman Allen Icet introduced HB 20, which allocated $20 million to Metro from the Federal Budget Stabilization Fund. Last week, it was announced that Missouri Speaker of the House Ron Richard and House Budget Chairman Allen Icet were redirecting their plan for those funds and filed HB 22, which did not include transit funding for Metro.
On Wednesday, April 29, Missouri Representatives amended HB 22 to include $12 million for Metro transit funding. Unfortunately, the final vote on the bill resulted in its defeat.
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder has pledged to work to revive the bill. In addition to Metro funding, the bill contained funding for a variety of state projects, including a Columbia, MO Cancer Center and a plant science center in Mexico, MO.
If you would like your voice heard on this critical funding proposal, now is the time to contact your Missouri State Senators and Representatives. You can find your state officials, including their contact information, by using the "Find Your Elected Officials" feature on www.congress.org.
Metro Transit Information and Customer Service Hours to Change on May 4, 2009
Beginning Monday, May 4, 2009, Metro’s Transit Information and Customer Service Call Center will change its hours to 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This change in Transit Information and Customer Service hours is a part of the March 30 transit service reductions, and was postponed to help customers adjust to the new route and schedule changes.
The Transit Information group provides MetroBus and MetroLink schedules and trip planning for customers. Transit Information Operators are currently available between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Customer Service group assists customers who have questions or comments about Metro’s services, or who want to report lost items. Customer Service Representatives are currently available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“We have been able to help most of our customers through the recent service reduction and, along with field supervisors, are continuing to work with them on issues of service such as crowded buses and trains,” said Sandra Shaner, Director of Customer Service for Metro. “We have additional customer resources available through internet access to schedules and TripFinder software for use after hours. E-mails, answered during working hours, also provide a convenience for customers who can write to us at any time about service or with advance routing questions.”
Metro Transit Information may be reached by phone or email:
314-231-2345 from Missouri
618-271-2345 from Illinois
transitinformation@metrostlouis.org
Metro Customer Service may be reached by phone or email:
314-982-1406 from Missouri
618-271-7879 from Illinois
customerservice@metrostlouis.org
Customers may also visit www.metrostlouis.org for information about Metro’s services.
Welcome to Metro's electronic magazine! You are receiving this
e-zine because of your connection to Metro or your interest in regional transit issues.
· Update on Metro Transit Funding from State of Missouri · Customer Service and Transit Information Hours Reduced
· Metro Official to Speak at Community Action Meeting
· Celebrate Chess with a Metro Art Bus Painting Event
House Bill 22 is Defeated
On Thursday, April 30, Missouri House Bill (HB) 22, which included $12 million of Stimulus/Stabilization funding for Metro, was defeated during a final vote by the Missouri House of Representatives.
Earlier in April, Missouri House Budget Chairman Allen Icet introduced HB 20, which allocated $20 million to Metro from the Federal Budget Stabilization Fund. Last week, it was announced that Missouri Speaker of the House Ron Richard and House Budget Chairman Allen Icet were redirecting their plan for those funds and filed HB 22, which did not include transit funding for Metro.
On Wednesday, April 29, Missouri Representatives amended HB 22 to include $12 million for Metro transit funding. Unfortunately, the final vote on the bill resulted in its defeat.
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder has pledged to work to revive the bill. In addition to Metro funding, the bill contained funding for a variety of state projects, including a Columbia, MO Cancer Center and a plant science center in Mexico, MO.
If you would like your voice heard on this critical funding proposal, now is the time to contact your Missouri State Senators and Representatives. You can find your state officials, including their contact information, by using the "Find Your Elected Officials" feature on www.congress.org.
Metro Transit Information and Customer Service Hours to Change on May 4, 2009
Beginning Monday, May 4, 2009, Metro’s Transit Information and Customer Service Call Center will change its hours to 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This change in Transit Information and Customer Service hours is a part of the March 30 transit service reductions, and was postponed to help customers adjust to the new route and schedule changes.
The Transit Information group provides MetroBus and MetroLink schedules and trip planning for customers. Transit Information Operators are currently available between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Customer Service group assists customers who have questions or comments about Metro’s services, or who want to report lost items. Customer Service Representatives are currently available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“We have been able to help most of our customers through the recent service reduction and, along with field supervisors, are continuing to work with them on issues of service such as crowded buses and trains,” said Sandra Shaner, Director of Customer Service for Metro. “We have additional customer resources available through internet access to schedules and TripFinder software for use after hours. E-mails, answered during working hours, also provide a convenience for customers who can write to us at any time about service or with advance routing questions.”
Metro Transit Information may be reached by phone or email:
314-231-2345 from Missouri
618-271-2345 from Illinois
transitinformation@metrostlouis.org
Metro Customer Service may be reached by phone or email:
314-982-1406 from Missouri
618-271-7879 from Illinois
customerservice@metrostlouis.org
Customers may also visit www.metrostlouis.org for information about Metro’s services.
