Metro passes $189.2M transport budget

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Metro passes $189.2M transport budget
By Ken Leiser
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/17/2009

ST. LOUIS - Metro commissioners today passed a $189.2 million public transportation budget for the upcoming year, reflecting significant service cutbacks that were rolled out in March.

But Metro officials warned that bus, MetroLink and Call-A-Ride service could suffer further erosion in the future without a permanent, new source of funding.

"The problem has essentially been the lack of stable funding," said Metro Controller Kathy Klevorn. "For more than 20 years, Metro has struggled with a lack of stable, committed resources to meet the operating needs of the system."

The ongoing recession has eaten into sales taxes dedicated to Metro's transit services, Metro officials said.

St. Louis County voters defeated a half-cent increase to the transit sales tax in November, which would have generated about $40 million a year for transit operations. Following its defeat, Metro slashed transit service to hold off major budget shortfalls.

The cuts took effect March 30.

Earlier this week, Missouri lawmakers said they would consider a one-time, $20 million emergency appropriation for the upcoming budget year beginning July 1. If it is approved, Metro staff will return to the board of commissioners with an amended budget.