St. Louis aldermen look to direct MetroLink funding to bus rapid transit instead – STLPR

St. Louis Proposes Reallocation of Funds to Advance Sustainable Urban Transit

Background: A Strategic Pivot in Urban Mobility Planning

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen is considering a proposal to ask voters to repurpose sales tax revenue originally designated for a MetroLink expansion. In 2017, a half-cent sales tax was approved by voters, with 60% of the funds specifically allocated for a north-south MetroLink project. To date, this tax has generated approximately $96 million. However, the MetroLink expansion was canceled in September by Mayor Cara Spencer, citing rising costs and challenges in securing federal funding. This has prompted a strategic pivot towards alternative sustainable transit solutions.

The Proposed Shift to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): A Focus on SDG 11

In response to the project cancellation, the city’s mass transit agency has shifted its focus to studying a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along the same proposed alignment. This move directly supports the objectives of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly Target 11.2, which aims to provide universal access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems.

• BRT systems utilize dedicated bus lanes to improve efficiency and reliability.
• The model incorporates limited stops, significantly reducing travel times compared to conventional bus routes.
• This project is designed to enhance public transit accessibility and create a more sustainable urban transportation network.

Legislative Action and Financial Framework for Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 9)

Legislation introduced by Board President Megan Green would place a measure on the ballot to authorize the use of the collected funds for a BRT system. This legislative step is crucial for developing the “quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure” called for in SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Voter approval is necessary because the original law specifically named MetroLink expansion. Securing this public mandate would allow the city to use the $96 million fund as the required local match to obtain federal grants, thereby financing this critical infrastructure project.

Broader Impacts on Sustainable Development Goals

The implementation of a BRT system in St. Louis would have a positive impact on several interconnected Sustainable Development Goals.

1. SDG 13 (Climate Action): By offering an efficient and attractive alternative to private automobiles, the BRT system will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The project promotes equity by providing reliable and affordable transportation, connecting diverse neighborhoods and ensuring all residents can access essential services and economic opportunities.
3. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Enhanced public transit infrastructure is a key driver of economic growth, linking the workforce to employment centers and fostering a more productive and inclusive local economy.

Conclusion and Path Forward

For the measure to appear on the April ballot, the legislation must be approved by the Board of Aldermen by January 27. A successful public vote would formally align the city’s transit strategy with global sustainability targets, marking a decisive step toward a more equitable, environmentally responsible, and accessible transportation future for St. Louis.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses the planning and funding of public transportation infrastructure in St. Louis, which directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals focused on urban development, infrastructure, and partnerships.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  This goal is relevant because the article focuses on the development of public infrastructure, specifically a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. The debate over reallocating funds from a MetroLink expansion to a BRT project is a core issue of developing “quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.”

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is the most directly related SDG. The entire article is about a city’s effort to provide and improve its public transit system. The goal of creating a BRT system along the Jefferson Avenue corridor is aimed at making the city’s transport system more accessible and sustainable for its residents.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  This goal is addressed through the funding mechanism described in the article. The city is using locally raised sales tax revenue as a “required local match for federal grants.” This represents a partnership between different levels of government (local and federal) to achieve a common development goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific actions and goals described in the article, the following targets can be identified:

• Target 9.1 (under SDG 9)

  “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.” The article’s discussion of canceling the costly MetroLink project in favor of a bus rapid transit system reflects a strategic decision on how to best develop sustainable and financially viable public transport infrastructure to serve the city’s residents.

• Target 11.2 (under SDG 11)

  “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport…” The proposal to use $96 million in tax revenue to fund a bus rapid transit system is a direct effort to expand public transport. A BRT system, with dedicated lanes and limited stops, is designed to provide a more accessible and efficient transportation option for the population along that route.

• Target 17.17 (under SDG 17)

  “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article explicitly states that the locally raised funds would “help the city meet the required local match for federal grants.” This demonstrates a public-public partnership between the city of St. Louis and the federal government to finance a major infrastructure project.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides specific figures and project details that can serve as or imply indicators for measuring progress.

• Indicator for Target 9.1 & 11.2

  A key indicator is the amount of financial investment in sustainable transport infrastructure. The article explicitly mentions that “the city has raised about $96 million” from a half-cent sales tax specifically for this purpose. This figure serves as a direct measure of the financial resources being mobilized for the development of the public transport system.

• Indicator for Target 11.2

  While not providing a direct measurement for Indicator 11.2.1 (“Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport”), the article implies it. The project’s focus on a specific “north-south… alignment along Jefferson Avenue” indicates that the expansion and improvement of the public transit network’s coverage is the intended outcome. The successful implementation of the BRT project would increase the proportion of the population with convenient access to public transport in that corridor.

• Indicator for Target 17.17

  An indicator for this target is the mobilization of financial resources through multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article points to this by describing the city’s plan to use its $96 million in local tax revenue to secure federal grants. The successful acquisition of these federal funds would be a clear measure of the effectiveness of this city-federal partnership.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: stlpr.org