Bi-State is considering increasing how often buses run on certain routes, including the route Bellevue Avenue through Maplewood and Richmond Heights (Route #16). The program is called Metro Reimagined.
Bellevue would become an ‘Enhanced Frequent’ route, with a MetroBus running every 15 minutes or more from morning to evening hours.
Gary Skolnick, a resident on Bellevue, and a bus commuter, said in an email to 40 South that Bellevue between Manchester and Clayton would turn into a major bus artery with twice as many buses and extended hours.
“I can tell you four buses rumbling by every hour is enough. Metro’s draft calls for buses running from 4 in the morning till way past midnight — imagine how that might affect your sleep,” he said.
“I’m spreading the word to help protect our peace and quiet, and our property values,” he said. “Adding more buses will also add to the congestion around the MRH Elementary school as children (and school buses) arrive in the morning. It will disturb the atmosphere during the day and keep people up at night.”
He says workable alternatives exist, including having some buses take McCausland instead of Bellevue.
Update: Maplewood Councilman Ray Crader said at the city council meeting on Tuesday that some residents on Bellevue are circulating an online petition against the enhanced bus service.
Metro is still accepting feedback on their plan – fill out a survey here.
See the Metro Reimagined program here.
Doug, is there any update to this story? Just read in the proposed notes from the prior council meeting that “Councilmember Dunn stated he received information about the Metro bus route being changed on Bellevue increasing the frequency of buses and lines. He asked the council to visit a link to an online petition residents are circulating to stop this plan.” Does Mr Dunn oppose the changes? or is he just suggesting it for members to read?
I’ve ridden the 16 line a lot myself. I think a good way to reduce noise and increase service would be to run smaller, quieter buses more often. Larger buses really are only full from about 6 to 8 am and 3 to 7 pm. During off-peak hours, smaller buses would do the job!
Wow. Imagine that, someone with a different opinion than others is told, “if you don’t like it, move”. Nice attitude.
It does help to acknowledge reality. Maplewood is an inner-ring suburb, a logical and crucial hub for public transportation in the Metro area connected with Metrolink and straddling the borders of St. Louis city, South County, and West County. Very close to major employment centers in Clayton and the CWE. Maplewood’s convenience is a major part of its appeal and is a big part why we moved here.
As long as the STL metro area has public transit at all, there are obviously going to be buses in Maplewood. Gary’s “concerns” about moderately increased bus traffic on Bellevue are classic NIMBY-ism. Other municipalities farther out to the west and south don’t have nearly as many buses; they’re also not as convenient for most residents, entailing longer commutes in most cases. Life is full of trade-offs like this, and this situation is no different.
Diversity is a beautiful thing, and moving is always an option.
Frankly, I have no idea whether this particular bus route on Bellevue needs more frequent buses or extended hours. If that change doesn’t make sense with the needs of the ridership, then of course that proposition can be debated and it can be scaled back in the new transit plan. What I’m saying is that parochial concerns from certain homeowners about their property values should play little or no part in the overall decision. Indeed, more connectedness can be a huge value, particularly for people attracted to what Maplewood has to offer.
You still have no right to tell someone to move because they have a different opinion than you.
I don’t particularly care whether Gary shares my opinion, but it sure does sound like he would be happier in Wildwood.
The First Amendment protects this statement.
Jesse,
Gary here. You are right on many counts, and I certainly don’t take umbrage at reading your opinion. If the bus was crowded at rush hour and if Bellevue was constructed as a major throughway I would feel differently.
As for Wildwood, that’d be too far out for me. I love that I can commute via the bus and train – not to mention all the other benefits of living in Maplewood-Richmond Heights.
I think Maplewood should work with Bi-State to increase frequency of the #16. Better mass transit benefits all of us.
As a resident who lives on Bellevue I have mixed feelings about this. Let’s not forget that Yale was a former streetcar line and that’s why it is split with a center island where they used to run.
https://www.metrostlouis.org/nextstop/flashback-friday-155/
https://stltransitdreams.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/1945-saint-louis-streetcar-routes/
Maybe an option is to have southbound buses run down Bellevue and have northbound buses come up Yale?
Buses seem to often have a hard time turning on and making turns off of Yale, a large part due to the dividers there. I’ve seen quite a few times when they reroute to yale, they have to make a multiple point turn.
I know what you’re saying: but what about some permanent changes in parking/no parking spots so they wouldn’t have such a hard time turning?
Just offering thoughts.
Hello Gary, welcome to Maplewood, an inner-ring suburb with two Metrolink stops and an important bus transit center located at Manchester Ave. and Hanley Rd.
You may have to deal with buses from time to time.
If you don’t like buses, move out to Ballwin or Wildwood.
Why is there an article published about some random resident’s opinion of the bus line? It’s not even well thought out which is the worst part. There is plenty of story to write about without including this hum-drum take.
Glad to see Metro is increasing route frequency and transit accessibility in our area!
“Metro’s draft calls for buses running from 4 in the morning till way past midnight — imagine how that might affect your sleep,”
Hrm, I dunno. I’m sure we can ask the billion or so people who live in places with good public transit throughout western Europe and Asia how they deal with it.
I’m gonna guess that 8 vehicles an hour – with the highest frequency during standard commuter times where vehicle traffic is already “rumbling” by – isn’t exactly a major issue.
If you live along Bellevue you’d understand. If anything slowing the buses down a bit would be a big help. I’ve followed behind the buses at the same pace and I can guarantee they are not observing the posted speed limit.
In the end I doubt the 16 bus would get 15 minute headways. If they’re going to increase frequencies, it first needs to occur along major roads. They also need to fix Manchester and Choteau so it’s not all piecemeal routes that require multiple changes just to go east/west along there.