Funny, I just looked at the updated pics about 5 minutes ago. It's really coming along.

I don't remember if I posted this yet or not...but, it has to be repeated, in that case.



At the place of my employment, which any regular knows I despise (and that it's located in Clayton), one of the attorneys had this to say about Metrolink expansion.



"I think it's great. Now people can park their cars safely in Clayton, eat in Clayton's restaurants and go to the game and come back on the Metrolink." He was totally serious.



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I need a new job.

Thanks for another good laugh. You should take me out there to visit them sometime.

The reaction of the Clayton resident should be added momentum to further expand Metrolink maybe with Clayton as a subhub with a line running north to Florissant, another to Chesterfield, but let's not forget that a line from dowtown needs to head for Jennings, Furgeson, and Florissant too! And while we're at it, expand the line from the airport to northwest plaza to finally bring progress to that current decaying mall where I buy only my formal wear from (Sears, Men's Wharehouse, Famous should stay). The Clayton perspective should have appeared when the St. Charles people voted Metro down, maybe they would have reconsidered. No prozac for me, but wow that man's comment surprised me but then again it's snooty Clayton!

I am relocating to St. Louis from Memphis in March and am getting more excited everytime I look at the pictures of the metrorail. I can honestly see myself keeping my car parked at my downtown condo. Taking metro to clayton to see clients and catching a workout at Bally's before heading back home to Wash Ave.



As far as the comment the guy made about clayton...hmmmm. I love Clayton (i wish memphis had a clayton) but it will never take anything from downtown. Suburban folk don't want to accept the fact that St. Louis is back and its going to kick a whole in some of their amenities like restaraunts, shopping options and hopefully some of the companies will consider relocating downtown.

<A HREF="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... C8">Delays on MetroLink extension aggravate neighbors</A>

By Shane Graber

Of the Post-Dispatch

02/05/2005



It was supposed to open this spring. But the entire project is said now to be only 50 percent complete. It could take another year or even longer. One estimate puts the completion date at January 2007.



The price tag is in question too. Officials are certain of one thing: it will be more than the last estimate of $550 million. The original estimate in 1999 was for $404 million.



<A HREF="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... 9F00226BC8">>>> read more</A>

In my mind this could be really bad for the region. I dont see voters bucking up for any more tax increases to build more light rail and politicians wont fight for it (if they ever did). I've already heard rumers that the south extension is dead. And how can they possible afford the north extension either?



what are your thoughts?

par wrote:In my mind this could be really bad for the region. I dont see voters bucking up for any more tax increases to build more light rail and politicians wont fight for it (if they ever did). I've already heard rumers that the south extension is dead. And how can they possible afford the north extension either?



what are your thoughts?

I have to agree unfortunately, IMO St.Louisians enjoy their cars to much and see metrolink as a convenience for events downtown i.e Cardinal games, VP Fair etc....Most are not willing to use the public transportation on regular basis to make metro profitable. Years ago my car died and for about a month I was fortunate enough to use Metrolink to get me to my job it was great. However I had to bum a ride from a friend to the North Hanley station. It was nice but not convenient, had metrolink gone to Flo Valley like some propose I would have been able to use it regularly when I lived in Spanish Lake(N. County). I think the first expansion should have been to N.County I feel it would have been utilized daily by a vast majority of the residents there.

It was supposed to open this spring. But the entire project is said now to be only 50 percent complete. It could take another year or even longer. One estimate puts the completion date at January 2007.



The price tag is in question too. Officials are certain of one thing: it will be more than the last estimate of $550 million. The original estimate in 1999 was for $404 million.

OK, the neighbors complaining about this are the same ones who fought having it built in the first place thus delaying the project. Many additions to the project since the original estimate in 1999(to appease said neighbors) drove the cost up and delayed the opening further. They complain now, but when there house values go up in 2008-09 they'll say they wanted it all along.



Hopefully, more lines are built, but that probably won't happen for at least 10 years. On the other hand, I don't think the voters will go for another tax increase to speed it up.

It is true that a lot of people don't use it for daily needs, and that many see it only as a toy to further enhance their day/night out in the city, but I think that's the case because it isn't particularly extensive yet. The cross-county extension will help a lot, as will further expansions. Even in car-hungry, "suburban" St. Louis Hills, a lot of people are bully over the prospect of parking-and-riding at the new Shrewsbury stop. Give it time.

It is true that a lot of people don't use it for daily needs, and that many see it only as a toy to further enhance their day/night out in the city

Actually, this is a completely incorrect statement.











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How is it "completely" incorrect? Your pie charts do not indicate the percentage of people who live in the metro area who use it daily. According to Metro, only 43,728 people use Metrolink on a daily basis. I couldn't find figures for Metrobus, but there's no way that the number could boost the figures to constitute the majority of the 2.5 million people (estimate) who live in Metro's service area.

That Lawyer from Clayton is clueless- the Clayton restaurant scene is played out. The most exciting new restaurants in the region are probably Red Moon, An American Place, and Mosaic (all downtown).



That's ok because downtown's going to continue to boom, and in a few years he'll probably jump on the bandwagon.



Concerning metrolink-I can't wait for that expansion to be completed, but am pissed about those incompetent Metro people who are screwing this up.

^

Good to have you here, Shoes - it's about time you joined the forum!