Constantine on Metro Transit’s proposed communications and service improvements during major storms

March 10, 2009

Summary

Council Chair praises agency for progress but says more can be done

Story

“After last month’s snow event, I expressed my continuing frustration at the difficulty customers faced in obtaining accurate information from Metro. Today, I want to compliment Metro for moving forward with the use of the new KCNews blog and Twitter feed to better communicate with bus riders during major snowstorms and other events that disrupt transit service.

“I believe that Metro’s 118 million annual riders are an untapped resource in improving Metro’s ability to communicate.

“Yesterday’s announcement that Metro Transit will make better use of new media to improve communication with the public was a positive first step in using new media and communication tools.

“But there is far more that can be done. Metro must improve its Web site to allow for route-by-route information and reporting by riders in the field. An excellent model for this is the schoolreport.org Web site rolled out this year.

“I am encouraged that Metro is opening itself up to change in how it operates and communicates. I will continue to urge the agency to involve riders and be creative in identifying ways to better serve the public both during snowstorms and every day.”