St. Louis Metro's unprecedented long-range plan for public-transit development over the next 30 years has placed second in a global awards competition recognizing the involvement of the public in innovative projects throughout the world. Metro was honored by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) for the level of participation by the public in the development of Moving Transit Forward, the plan that offers a menu of transit solutions to meet the St. Louis region's needs over the next three decades.

"Metro is pleased by the recognition of our dedicated effort to engage the people of the region in development of this important plan to shape the future of public-transit services for the St. Louis region," said John Nations, Metro President and CEO. "We provided approximately 200 opportunities for area residents to get involved and to contribute to the plan to continue to build transit service that not only connects people throughout the region, but also fuels economic development and quality jobs."

 At an awards presentation in Scarborough, England, IAP2 honored projects from New South Wales and Logan City, Australia; Vancouver, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Phoenix, AR. For IAP2's Innovation Award, Metro placed second behind TransLink, the transit agency for Vancouver.

Working with the East-West Gateway Council of Governments to develop the region's first long-range transit plan, Metro provided more opportunities for the public to contribute than ever in its 60-year history. They included: 22 public meetings
; more than 150 presentations to business, civic, advocacy, and neighborhood groups
; an advisory group of regional elected officials, business leaders, representatives of community organizations and other regional agencies
; an executive committee that engaged local elected leaders and other regional leaders from Missouri and Illinois
; an interactive Website
; its first blog; Webinars
; a Facebook page
; and Twitter.

The result was a plan that provides practical, realistic, and financially feasible options for expanding transit services and introducing new services. Details of Moving Transit Forward are available at www.metrostlouis.org.