Kinder, Icet support METRO funding

Intro: St. Louisans will board less-crowded METRO buses if a $20 million funding plan in front of the House Budget Committee gains lawmakers' approval.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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Lieutenant Gov. Peter Kinder spoke with House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet and METRO CEO Bob Baer.

Kinder says the plan will make METRO accountable for bad business decisions in the future while providing wheels to those who need transportation now.

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Description: "Those who use the services of METRO are the most vulnerable to losing their jobs because they can't afford transportation without METRO."

Under the plan, METRO would restore nine routes it cut last month, including more buses downtown and on major roads.

The plan is part of a $270 million bill to use some of Missouri's federal stimulus money.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: St. Louis public transit system METRO says $20 million in emergency funding will help it deal with more riders and route cutbacks.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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The funds would restore nine routes cut in March, including downtown and along major roads.

It's part of a larger bill in front of the House Budget Committee that uses some of Missouri's federal stimulus funds.

METRO CEO Bob Baer says the transit system cut routes and raised prices to deal with a budget shortfall.

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Description: "The thing that we're facing right now is that people can't get to work, they can't get to school, the disabled and the elderly can't get Call-A-Ride service, because we've had to raise fares and are simply too expensive."

Baer says METRO needs $35 million to fully restore the old routes.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: Leaders of St. Louis public transit system METRO say $20 million in emergency funds in front of the House Budget Committee are necessary.

Theo Keith has more from Jefferson City.

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METRO officials say they need $35 million to fully restore routes they cut in March.

The money would get METRO through next year, before voters decide on a public transportation tax in 2010.

METRO CEO Bob Baer says St. Louisans should vote for the transit tax.

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Description: "Our demand for services was increasing, and at a time where we should be increasing, we were cutting back. And I think, given the fact that people have felt the pain and fully understand the problems that the cuts have caused, they will be supportive next time."

The money is part of a $270 million bill that uses part of Missouri's federal stimulus money.

The House Budget Committee is scheduled to debate the measure in the next week.

From the State Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.