That just goes to show you that the media hinders rather than helps in any way, form, or fashion and that they should get their facts straight about anybody---not just METRO.  I wonder are they doing this to any other type of city services.......

Cedric:

Remember, the media is after ratings.

Ratings:media::boardings:METRO.

Here is an excerpt from a news report on METRO and the question of funding.  FTA is stopping funding

To those who think that news reporters are simply trying to create news,  this is true with some sensational tweaking but KHOU has been excellent on looking into things that no other news source does here in Houston.  Otherwise, why the heck is there all the news everywhere on redoing METRO's board?

Unfortunately, our new mayor has replaced those board members with some who will continue the exact same agenda (since she is for it also) and the new board will try to simply dust off METRO's image.

I for one, and part of many others, think that solid investigative news is essential to protect the people against corruption and deception in any governmental areas.  Always remember that these people work for us and are not private enterprise.

Feds scold Metro and take action to protect taxpayers on rail lines

by Mark Greenblatt / 11 News Defenders

khou.com

Posted on April 22, 2010 at 12:42 AM

Updated today at 12:49 AM

HOUSTON -- The Federal Transit Administration said it "won’t approve" federal funding right now on two light rail extensions proposed by Metro; until it can become confident the transit authority can afford to finish the jobs while still maintaining current service.

"In the interest of protecting the taxpayer, the FTA will not approve full funding grant agreements for the north and southeast corridor light rail projects until we are confident that Houston Metro can afford to build and operate these two new lines while maintaining its existing system," said Paul Griffo of the FTA.

The statement came in response to continued questions from KHOU-TV in Houston about irregularities the station discovered in financial forecasts that Metro provided to the FTA as part of an application for $900 million in federal tax money. Metro intends to use the money to help it begin work on two new light rail extensions in Houston.

http://www.khou.com/news/Feds_Scold_Mero_and_Take_Action_To_Protect_Taxpayers-91788899.html

There's a big difference between following the FTA guidelines and doing the right thing.  Somebody at Metro knew what the right thing to do was, even if the FTA guidelines did not require using the later numbers.

Of course every media outlet is trying to increase their ratings - but don't use that as an excuse for getting caught doing the wrong thing.

Well, if the station wants to investigate is why METRO went from planning LRT for the lines, then to convertable BRT, then back to LRT.

Actually, I could live with some sort of BRT corridors, like the Canal Street lanes in New Orleans.

Question:

Why did the FTA start to "do" something when the Allen Parkway station aired its concerns?  Do they have "SEC disorder", aka, sleeping at the switch.

And I do have a beef with Channel 11.  They had the METRO story before the 6 PM news, but waited until ten to show it.  I don't mind people digging, but:

1.  Many people go to bed in this city BEFORE 9 PM BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO WORK EARLY THE NEXT AM!

2.  Houston has a lower percentage of people with net access, I think.

In the public's interest, show the thing AT SIX O"CLOCK!  It is stuff like this which leads people people AWAY from network news, no matter how truthful or important the story is.  News needs to get back to Joe Friday's, "Just the facts, ma'm." (DRAGNET)

Drinking the Anti-Metro Kool-Aid

http://thedotsconnector.blogspot.com/