More Escape Options
By Antonio D. French
Starting November 4, Southwest airlines is increasing the number of daily flights it offers out of St. Louis.
Southwest currently operates 11 daily nonstop flights from Lambert Airport to Chicago Midway; one flight to Columbus; and two daily flights to Las Vegas. Southwest also currently offers five daily flights to Houston, but the Business Journal reports that will reduce to four on Nov. 4.
Southwest operates more than 60 daily nonstop departures from St. Louis and has more than 320 employees locally.Labels: Travel
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Travel Log: Cape Girardeau
By Antonio D. French
BND: 'We won't be taking the bus'
By Antonio D. French
A few weeks ago, we published a commentary on why Metro is its own worst enemy when it comes to getting more people to use public transportation. We suggested 3 easy things Metro could do to improve pubic transportation in the City.
To date, Metro hasn't implemented any of our suggestions. But they have started to invest in helicopters. Go figure.
Well, apparently we are not alone in thinking that something is very wrong at the region's public transportation system operator.
Yesterday, the Belleville News-Democrat published an editorial explaining how Metro has made it very easy for people deciding whether to drive their cars or take the bus or train.
You guessed it -- the car wins again.
Metro's bus and MetroLink services take some resourcefulness, determination and patience. That's in large part because maps, schedules and prices seem to treat passengers as an afterthought...
Frustrated with the Web site? Call the customer service line at 271-2345. Four minutes of Muzak, but the representative seemed pretty knowledgeable and was helpful. Too bad the phones are off after 7 p.m. and on weekends...
Heading to the ballgame? Two gallons of gas plus $5 parking is still cheaper than $14 round trip on the train for four...
The point is, Metro has priced itself out of competition for a large segment of potential riders. Then they narrow the field of folks who need to go where they go when they go, and the mass transit option takes a back seat to the convenience of our cars. It's just not user friendly.
Click here to read the full editorial.Labels: Travel
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