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Please take a few minutes to take the survey, then come back and share your thoughts on the questions being asked. They also just released the 7th update to most recent Where We Stand report (2011).
This update introduces new data on three measures of social mobility and discusses some of the community characteristics that are correlated with upward mobility.
The term “social mobility” refers to the idea that individuals can achieve a high standard of living, regardless of the circumstances into which they were born. The notion that even a poor child can work hard and get rich (or at least reach the middle class) has long had a hold on the American imagination, although numerous studies have documented that the United States has a far lower level of social mobility than most of the other wealthy nations around the world.
I’ve not had a chance to do more than scan the update, but I wanted to pass along the link.
In the poll last week readers were supportive of Metro’s decision to buy used articulated buses and have them completely reconditioned. Starting in June five will replace five of the twelve regular 40 foot buses on the #70 (Grand) MetroBus route, by the end of summer all 12 will be these 60 foot articulated buses. These offer more seats, more standing room, and two exit doors.
The first of 15 articulated buses, basically a 30ft bus with a 30ft trailer.
Here are the poll results:
Q: Metro’s 60ft articulated buses are completely rebuilt 2004 New Flyer models from Ottawa, costing $430k/ea vs $825k/ea new, reaction?
Excellent, very green & frugal decision. 43 [55.13%]
June can’t come soon enough! 12 [15.38%]
Other: 7 [8.97%]
Cool, Canadian hand-me-downs
Focus on revenue making deals to increase discretionary funds for the city
Should have scheduled 2x as many busses on the route
Can’t imagine how it can make our turns.
Streetcar would be ideal
Depends on whether it’s a complete rebuild or just cosmetics
Try it out
Really, Canadian hand-me-downs? 5 [6.41%]
Rebuilt or new, too big to run on Grand 4 [5.13%]
Unsure/No Answer 4 [5.13%]
St. Louis will need to do a better job clearing snow along the route. 3 [3.85%]
Let me address some of the “other” responses. Metro got a federal grant to buy buses, running 24 rather than 12 on the route would double the operating costs (labor, fuel, maintenance) which isn’t something the grant covered. If Missouri had higher fuel taxes with part going toward transit agencies then increasing the frequency might be an option. The articulated buses are actually easier to turn than the regular 40 foot buses. Why? These are 30 foot buses with a 30 foot trailer. Drivers will get new training but I don’t think we’ll see any major issues since the #70 route is mostly a straight line up and down Grand. That said, in snow they might experience issues. I love streetcars but Grand doesn’t have the density at the ends to justify the capital expense.
I agree with the readers — this was an excellent decision and June can’t come soon enough.
Now I’d like to highlight a couple of other recent procurement decisions that appear to also be wise choices. Wheels & side glass.
Our buses have had painted steel wheels for years, but they are labor intensive to maintainThe newest order of 40ft Gillig buses and the 15 rebuilt articulated buses all have aluminum wheels. More expensive upfront but cheaper in the long run because of reduced maintenance costs.Our buses have always had exposed metal frames, the articulated buses still do because they are rebuilt. New 2014 Gillig buses have flush side glass which looks so much nicer.Aesthetics aside, a flush glass window can quickly be replaced by one person. The exposed frame glass we have had requires two people, costing more.
It looks like Metro is making very wise decisions, always looking to reduce maintenance costs. These efforts have been noticed by the industry:
The results of the program have been significant. In 2002, Metro’s bus group achieved 10,124 miles between breakdowns compared with 21,827 miles between breakdowns in 2009 – a 115-percent improvement. (Source: Top-Notch Vehicle Maintenance Programs Help Transit Agencies Excel)
So thank you to the staff at Metro for sweating the details on maintenance schedules, fretting over specifications for purchasing buses.
A proposed 6-story apartment building with a ground-floor Trader Joe’s grocery store will be announced today for the northeast corner of Grand & Lindell, temporarily the site of the Ellen Clark Sculpture Park.
This sculpture park was just a way to hold the land until the right project came along
The announcement will be made today at 4pm; speakers will include William R. Kauffman, J.D., Interim President of Saint Louis University, incoming President Fred P. Pestello, Trader Joe’s VP of real estate Brandt Sharrock, Vince Schoemehl of Grand Center, and Steve Smith of the Lawrence Group, the architects & developers of the project.
Artist rendering of proposed mixed-use building
Excellent public transit is said to be a factor for this project moving forward now, citing the busiest MetoBus line on Grand, the #70, and the proposed St. Louis Streetcar on Lindell. Other factors include the new Whole Foods going into the ground floor of an apartment building at Euclid and Pine. Like that building, this new building will have underground parking, including some for Trader Joe’s customers.
It’ll be so nice having a Trader Joe’s so close to downtown!
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