To the Washington University Community:
The St. Louis community is at a tipping point in regard to one of our most successful regional assets. Our public transit system — made up of MetroBus, MetroLink and Call-A-Ride operations — serves many St. Louis workers, patients, students and sports fans. Metro is an integral part of the St. Louis region’s transportation plan, and I am seeking your support for its continued operation and growth.
On Tuesday, April 6, registered voters in St. Louis County will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition A, a one-half cent sales tax increase to support the operation and expansion of the Metro system. The tax will raise approximately $75 million annually, and the passage of the County tax will trigger an already-approved tax in the City of St. Louis. Passing Proposition A will secure needed revenue to restore service cuts, expand both bus and rail routes, and operate Call-A-Ride vans that are used by the disabled and elderly to access health care and other services. Without the additional revenue provided by the tax increase, public transit service will be cut by as much as 50 percent, and many workers will be left without access to their jobs.
In recognition of the importance of public transit to the region, I agreed to serve as chairman of the Advance St. Louis Steering Committee. This Committee is a group of civic, educational, health care, religious, business, labor and disability advocacy leaders who have come together to support Proposition A and have lent not only their names but their time and energy to this issue. I am proud to work on this effort and consider it part of my responsibility both as chancellor of Washington University and as a citizen who cares about the future of the St. Louis region.
Washington University has a longstanding commitment to public transportation. Our community is well-served by MetroBus and MetroLink and is one of the largest users of public transit in the region. In 2006, the university began purchasing transit passes at large-user market rates from Metro and issuing these passes, free of charge, to all qualifying students, faculty and staff through our UPass program.
The UPass program has far exceeded expectations in the number of transit trips taken by members of the university community. During the past year, approximately 2.3 million transit trips were taken by our employees and students. These numbers clearly indicate the commitment of the Washington University community to public transit and reflect the vital importance of Proposition A to our students, faculty and staff as well as the St. Louis region.
Many things contribute to the growth and vitality of great metropolitan areas, but one asset common to all of them is a strong public transit system. Public transportation links workers to employment, patients to health care providers, students to schools and universities, and everyone to cultural and sporting venues.
Whether we are frequent or occasional riders, we all have access to our public transit system, and we all rely on it. I hope you will join me in voting “yes” on April 6. Passage of Proposition A is critical to the overall vitality of the St. Louis area. To find out more about Proposition A or about public transit, visit the Web site moremetrolink.com.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Mark S. Wrighton
Chancellor