MetroBus & MetroLink: Separate And Unequal

Winter weather is here but not to worry, Metro will keep you warm.

Unless you are like most transit riders and you take MetroBus. I’ve not inspected all the MetroBus Transit Centers but I know the Civic Center Transit Center doesn’t have any heaters, yet all MetroLink platforms do!

A Metro blog post in October titled It’s Getting Cold Outside: Platform Heaters Now on All Outdoor MetroLink Stations explains the heaters:

Is it us, or is it getting colder outside? Not too cold for baseball fans though! All outdoor MetroLink Stations are now fitted with platform heaters, but it’s important to remember that in order to conserve energy, the heaters operate under the following conditions:

•  Only during regular scheduled service (4:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.)
• Only if the temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• Only for 15 minutes each time the button is pushed.

All platform heaters now have decals on them with information about how and when they can be turned on.

Uh, it’s cold at MetroBus Centers as well. Metro treats rail and bus riders differently and in the winter this is painfully obvious…oh the pain is frostbite.  Most exterior MetroLink platforms are in a depressed rail right-of-way somewhat naturally sheltered from the cold wind, but most MetroBus Transit Centers are at grade and fully exposed to cold winds.

This inequity is new too:

Metro’s partners in Illinois at the St. Clair County Transit District determined that MetroLink passengers need to stay toasty while waiting for MetroLink. In 2009, Metro finished installing platform heaters at all Illinois MetroLink stations, thanks to funding from St. Clair County Transit District. These heaters are passenger-controlled, ceiling-mounted heaters that Metro installed along with a wind shelter on the MetroLink platforms. They run on a timer, so they turn off after 15 minutes, to save energy. The heaters are also set so that they don’t come on at all if the temperature is above fifty degrees. This initiative was so popular, Metro decided to extend it to Missouri stations as well.

Beginning in February 2010, Metro began turning on new platform heaters at several Missouri MetroLink stations, including: North Hanley, Delmar Loop, Clayton, Shrewsbury, Civic Center, and Central West End. All other Missouri MetroLink stations are slated to get heaters, excluding the underground stations (such as the 8th & Pine station downtown – passengers are already sheltered and those stations don’t get as cold), and the two airport stations.

The project necessarily includes an evaluation of the power needed at each station, and in some cases updating equipment to move extra power into the station. The stations chosen for the first round of installation in Missouri are some of the busiest stations, but also the easiest to upgrade. The Grand Station heaters will be placed as a part of the station redesign in 2011, in conjunction with the construction of a new transit plaza underneath the new Grand Avenue bridge that the City of St. Louis will build.

Metro is working to complete all remaining stations -with the exception of the tunnel stations, two airport stations, and Grand – by the end of 2010. (source)

I don’t even know the total number of MetroBus Transit Centers, they aren’t listed online — at least not that I can find. Metro needs to put a plan in place to rectify this inequality.

– Steve Patterson

Downtown’s New Entrance

Downtown St. Louis can be reached via car from all directions. None is particularly a nice drive, although I do like entering from Illinois via the Eads Bridge. When the New Mississippi River Bridgeopens in 2014 motorists on I-70 from Illinois and west of St. Louis will have a new option, an exit that takes them to Cass Ave and directly onto a new alignment of Tucker Blvd into downtown.

A short stretch of the rebuilt Tucker recently opened to traffic. I’ve had a chance to drive it twice and walk part of the sidewalk. It’s too early to do a review of the design of the road & sidewalks but so far it looks good with only a few problems I’ll note in a later post once more is opened.

The good is the road is only two lanes in each direction. Rather than have three per direction with the outside used for parking or buses, the third lane isn’t a through lane. Space is provided for buses and parking but the road doesn’t feel excessively wide the way say Jefferson does between Olive & Natural Bridge. New new road, median, planted areas at the edges and street trees will make a great first impression. But when motorists look past the new sidewalks they will likely be disappointed by what they see. Great buildings like the one above, instead of housing retail storefronts, has the city’s Mosquito & Rat control division, aka Vector Control. Welcome to St. Louis!

Most of the land is vacant — empty or surface parking lots as you near Washington Ave. Right now the only planning that’s been done is via Paul McKee’s Northside Regenerationplan:

The Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation are working together to construct a new bridge that spans the Mississippi River just north of downtown St. Louis. The new bridge has the potential to become both a catalyst for the revitalization of the area in the immediate vicinity of the “landing” and a new entrance into downtown St. Louis. For the catalytic effects of the new bridge to be fully realized, transportation improvements are needed in the area around the bridge ramps beyond what MoDOT has planned for their 2011 construction. McEagle has been working with the City of St. Louis and MoDOT to create a more efficient flow of traffic into the downtown and NorthSide areas from the new bridge. Along with the new N. Tucker Boulevard alignment planned to begin construction in spring 2010, McEagle has proposed two additional off ramps to the MRB interchange and a new Mullanphy Street realignment and bridge over the MRB Landing (MRB Extension). This Extension will provide a direct connection for west-bound traffic to the NorthSide as well as provide an alternative route for eastbound traffic to access the MRB interchange. The development yields for this area have been projected as follows:

• Office/Business space: 860,000 sq ft
• Retail: 173,000 sq ft
• Residential: 2019 units
• Hotel: 120 rooms

Regardless of your views on Paul McKee’s project you have to give him credit for recognizing the opportunity to develop new housing, offices and retail.

I’m still concerned the new buildings will lack connections to adjacent sidewalks. St. Louis now has a “Complete Streets” policy, but no requirement for adjacent properties to connect. The ADA requires minimal connection but a building can be built and occupied without it, leaving enforcement up to those who complain. If we take McKee, and his consultants, at their word the area will be pedestrian-friendly. My preference, of course, would be a requirement by ordinance. Former 5th Ward Alderman April Ford-Griffin never would initiate such a requirement and I don’t expect any of the three woman running to fill the vacant seat to do so either. The election is December 20th. Good or bad, McKee has the Tucker & Cass area under control. But what about south of Biddle St? The 1986 McDonald’s was just razed and replaced. The new one does have an ADA access route from one of the four streets bordering the property, but it’s still a prototype  best suited for a suburban/rural highway exit.

The west side of Tucker needs urban buildings up to the sidewalk, like they are on the east side.

This is one of those opportunities that doesn’t come along often. Will we step up and take the necessary actions to ensure Tucker develops right over the next 20-30 years?

– Steve Patterson

Readers Supportive of MoDOT Tolling I-70 Between St. Louis & Kansas City

In the poll last week readers supported having drivers pay tolls on I-70:

Q: Should MoDOT toll I-70?

1. Yes, tolls are a great way to make only users pay for the road 38 [36.19%]
2. Yes, but Missouri should also increase the state gas tax 31 [29.52%]
3. No, once tolls start they will never end 13 [12.38%]
4. Perhaps, need more information 10 [9.52%]
5. Other: 8 [7.62%]
6. No, will lead to more toll roads in MO 5 [4.76%]
7. Unsure/No Opinion 0 [0%]

As is often the case the other answers also provide additional viewpoints:

1. MoDot should consider more than just I-70 for tolls
2. yes if the toll pays for removing I-70 from Downtown
3. increase gas tax first
4. No, we should increase the gas tax instead
5. no, new leadership needed
6. I like the free road, but toll roads are probably better for the environment.
7. We need a comprehensive transportation plan that pays for transit too.
8. Add as a poll answer
9. OK if no new lanes

What I failed to distinguish between is who manages the tolls — MoDOT vs a private corporation.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Should MoDOT Make I-70 A Toll Road To Raise Funds?

Missouri doesn’t allow toll roads but MoDOT wants to change that.

Under the scenario, MoDOT would contract with a private firm to rebuild I-70 and collect tolls as specified in the contract. In the existing model, no tolls would be collected in the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas.

State lawmakers briefed about the concept estimate about 50 percent of Missourians would support a toll project. (Source)

Another option is increasing the state fuel tax 0.15¢ per gallon.

In the 21+ years I’ve lived in St. Louis I’ve made 15-20 round trip drives to Oklahoma City, paying tolls to drive on I-44. My trip two weeks ago cost me $16 in tolls. I bought gas twice in Oklahoma on this trip but paid nowhere near $16 in Oklahoma gas taxes. I used the road and, over the years, have paid for said use to the tune of about $200.

From a 2002 MoDOT study on tolls:

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) was established in 1947 to construct, operate and maintain the Turner Turnpike. In 1954, OTA’s responsibility was expanded to include the construction of additional turnpikes. In 1999, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority changed its name to the Oklahoma Transportation Authority. Today there are 566 miles of toll roads in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Transportation Authority board consists of seven members including the Governor and one from each of the six congressional districts. They are appointed by the Governor and approved by the State Senate.

Operation of the Oklahoma turnpike system is financed by toll and concessionaire rentals. The average toll rate for passenger cars is 4.1 cents per mile and 10.6 cents per mile for commercial vehicles. The revenues generated by tolls and concessionaire rentals pays for all of the operation, maintenance, and construction costs of the Turnpike. The Operating Revenues in 2000 were $132.8 million of which $14.2 went to toll collections and $35.6 million went to debt service. PIKEPASS is the electronic toll system for the turnpike. PIKEPASS users comprise 49 percent of the total vehicle traffic.

The Oklahoma system of toll collection has changed since I first moved to St. Louis in 1990. At that time you took a ticket to show where you entered the toll road and paid when you exited. Now they have two big toll plazas along I-44, one between the Missouri state line and Tulsa and the second between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

If you enter from Missouri but exit before the toll plaza then you pay at the exit. These are unmanned booth with bill changers so drivers can get coin to deposit into the bin. If you exit after the toll plaza but before the end of that section you present your receipt to the person who refunds you the difference. An electronic device (PIKEPASS) is available so you don’t have to stop, you just keep on driving and it debits and credits your pre-paid account.

Since I only do the drive once a year I’ve never bothered getting the device, even though I’d save money each trip (PIKEPASS users get a discount on tolls). A round trip in a semi-truck costs $80 ($20 per stop). I noticed many trucks in the toll plaza during my four stops to pay. MoDOT seems to think everyone will use an electronic device, which just isn’t true based on my experience.MoDOT’s 2002 report indicates 49% pay electronically. Obviously this may be different nine years later.

On the positive side, I-44 in Oklahoma is very well maintained and self sufficient when you include federal transportation funds. The toll booths also create jobs in rural areas.

Right now Missouri is in the bottom group of states when it comes to gas taxes. MoDOT’s 15¢ per gallon alternative would put us near the top — paid by everyone in the state. Clearly they are trying to get the Missouri legislature to allow them to toll I-70. Regardless of tolls on I-70 I think our gas taxes should be increased 3-5 cents per gallon to put us into the average for the surrounding states.

The question of tolling I-70 is the poll topic this week. You can vote in the right sidebar and add comments below.

– Steve Patterson

Outdated Info At MetroBus Shelter

One thing my friends and I want to accomplish with the Transit Riders Union of St. Louis is to get Metro to keep information provided to bus riders updated at least as well as info for MetroLink light rail riders, we’ve all noticed a separate and unequal treatment.

Another friend, a regular MetroBus user, posted the above pic on Facebook Tuesday and I asked if I could use it. He called Metro to report the information was way out of date.

Really? Information from five years ago still up at a bus shelter!

The current fare is $2.00 so there has only been one fare increase since August 2006. It’s possible my friend just happened upon the only shelter that didn’t get updated but it’s also possible others are also outdated. I know I’m going to pay more attention to the information at shelters. Hat tip to S.A. for noticing!

– Steve Patterson