So if you’re stuck on the wrong side of a malfunctioning gate in a Park and Pillage, Mary Sit advises you to have METRO’s maintenance phone number on speed dial:
If you’re a regular commuter, it’s a good idea to enter this number and e-mail in your cell phone directory. The phone number is staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. And of course, there’s voice mail after hours.
METRO’s service area extends beyond Houston and spans some 1,285 square miles. That includes more than 30 million square feet of properties.
“Due to the size of the service area, and the large portfolio of properties, it is almost impossible for us to be completely on top of all the day-to-day issues that come up on our sites,” explains Rocky Marrero, vice president of facilities maintenance. “For this reason, we rely heavily on the reports of bus operators, and more importantly, our patrons, who help us by reporting their observations directly to our work request line. “
Remember, METRO also admits it can’t handle security because its service area is too large. Patrons are advised to manage their own security. By contrast, METRO’s bloated PR department is fully staffed and at the ready to handle any PR emergency.
Since METRO admits its service area is too big, maybe the taxpayer-funded, quasi-governmental transportation monopoly should be broken up.
