On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Proposition M failed on the St. Louis County ballot by just 5 percentage points. Though it’s surprising that the initiative failed by so little, resulting cuts in MetroLink service will prove just how integral public transit is in St. Louis.

Since it was moved to the November ballot, Prop. M was an underdog initiative. It had a lot riding against it: It would have raised revenue for MetroLink and MetroBus service through a .5 cent sales tax increase, which is difficult to swallow in light of poor economic conditions. Plus, the ballot vote only happened in the geographically-dispersed county, which relies almost solely on the personal automobile for transportation. And after a botched lawsuit and months of innefective leadership since its last expansion, Metro hardly has a spotless track record.

Weighed down by these challenges, Prop. M failed, with 47 percent of county residents for it, and 52 percent of county residents against it. That’s close for Metro, but not close enough. Metro’s operating deficit will remain, its services will decrease and it will not expand for a number of years more.

County residents’ choice reflects poorly on St. Louis’ status as a modern city. Now, it looks like an industrial city losing its foothold on once-golden greatness. Metro services that Saint Louis University students frequently use, such as the MetroLink train to Lambert International Airport, will likely shut down by 8 p.m., every evening. By April, students will be forced to pay $40 for a cab to and from SLU. This early shut-off time applies to all MetroLink schedules; even extra trains to sporting events downtown may have to be eliminated. Bus services will remain, but service cuts on that path are still unknown.

Cuts will not just affect students. Many SLU employees use public transportation to get to and from campus. What will they do after dark when transit shuts down? Since St. Louis is so spread out and highway-dependent, reliable transportation is a necessity. In this light, it is an issue of social justice.

By Nov. 21, Metro’s leaders will meet with state government officials to discuss proposed service cuts and potential emergency funding. Before they meet, lawmakers must know how important public transportation is to St. Louis residents and workers. Do your part. Make a difference. Influence politics. Call your public officials and let them know.

Here’s how to reach them:

– Mayor Francis Slay – 314-622-3201
– Attorney General (Gov. Elect) Jay Nixon – 314-340-6816
– Governor, Matt Blunt – 573-751-3222
– Sec. of State, Robin Carnahan – 573 – 751-4936