Traffic report service to trim Spokane operations

The nation’s top provider of local traffic reports is tapping the breaks on its Spokane operations.

Metro Networks delivers traffic reports and news content to a dozen area radio stations.

But effective September 1st, the company will cut 75 percent of its fulltime reporting staff in Spokane.

Last week, parent company, Westwood One announced it would be closing some of its traffic centers in smaller markets, and reducing staff in others.

In a memo to all affiliates, President/CEO Peter Kosann said, “The advertising marketplace has proven to be both challenging and ever-evolving.”

The effects are already being felt here locally.

Bob Lutz, Director of Operations for Metro Spokane, told employees this week that he would be cutting three full time positions.

“We’re facing some challenges down the road,” said Lutz. “We’re going to be working with all the (stations) to come up with a game plan, and try to provide the same service with less people.”

Metro’s two biggest clients in this market are Morgan Murphy, owners of KXLY AM/FM, and Citadel Broadcastings KGA-AM, KDRK FM and Oldies 101. The area’s other main radio group, Clear Channel , operates its own in house traffic service.

Both Citadel and Morgan Murphy rely on Metro’s traffic reporters to deliver updates to their listeners several times an hour during the morning and afternoon commutes.

Because of the reduction in staff, Metro’s operation will have fewer traffic reporters out on the street, sending updated information back to its anchors.

Since it opened its operation here in 1998, Metro has gone from 21 affiliates to 12.

The company’s revenue has gone down as it’s lost a bigger share of the market. A cost-cutting move last year included grounding the airplane that Metro used to cover traffic across the county and in North Idaho.

While the companies traffic operation in Spokane has reportedly been profitable this year, Westwood One’s stock has taken a beating, falling from a 52-week high of nearly $21 to a low of $6.55.

Lutz has been with Metro since it launched traffic coverage in Spokane. He calls these hard times for the industry and admits, “We’ve been hit (with cuts) a lot harder in Spokane than I expected.”

Even though rumors persist that Westwood One is considering closing down its Spokane bureau, Lutz remains optimistic. He says he’s taking it a day at a time and is committed to keeping traffic information on the air in Spokane “at least on a limited basis