Long time no post.
Today I made the decision to walk to work instead of taking the bus. The public transportation system authority has announced major cuts to bus service and metrolink commuter train service and fare increases. The cuts come on the heels of a failed bid to increase taxes to support public transportation in Saint Louis. The reasons Saint Louis County voters gave for voting against the half cent sales tax increase are legion but it is my opinion that racism played a big part in peoples vote against. I live in the city and was unable to vote on prop M. I would have voted for the tax increase. I believe a city needs good public transportation to be vibrant and useful to the citizenry. Here is a break down, a 25-cent fare increase for MetroLink and public transportation buses, starts Jan. 1, 2009.
One-way fares will increase from $2 to $2.25 along the light-rail line, and from $1.75 to $2 on Metro buses. Both fares will increase again by another 25 cents July 1, 2010.
Monthly bus and train passes will increase from $60 a month to $68 a month. And passes will increase, again, to $70 on July 1, 2010.
I can no longer afford the monthly pass so now I walk. Great job Saint Louis County residents! Great job Metro for not doing a better job managing money!
