By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis – Cuts to Metro bus, train, and van service took effect Monday.
Last week the St. Louis transit agency sought a last-minute solution to fill its $50 million deficit, but none arrived.
Instead bus service west of I-270 has been largely curtailed and Metrolink trains will run less frequently.
Metro CEO Bob Baer said some of the service could be restored if state lawmakers agree to a $35 million emergency appropriation. But Baer said state legislators need to hear from the public.
"People don't realize that they have power to help by writing a letter, sending an email, calling their legislator," Baer said. "Because when I go up to Jefferson City, these people say 'you know, Bob, you have a compelling story, but I'm not hearing from anyone else.'"
If that fails, Baer said the only other option is to ask voters again in St. Louis for a sales tax increase. But that's not likely to go on the ballot until next year.