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CHARLOTTE -- Call after call, Charlotte-Mecklenburg 311 operators are standing by, but only until 8 p.m. Nearly a month has passed since 311 cut back operating hours from 24 hours a day to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

"We started in October of 2009 when the city manager asked for consideration of reductions that would have a little or no impact to our citizens," said Charlotte-Mecklenburg's 311 Director Kimberly Laney.

Laney said cutting hours didn't impact the customer's service. She said 92 percent of calls fell within 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

"We took the staff that was assigned to the evening hours and we've reallocated them to the day hours in order to meet our highest peak call times,” added Laney. “So we're actually able to have a better response as a result of the reduction of hours during those times."

And just because there isn't a 311 operator standing by 24 hours, it doesn't mean around the clock help can't be found. Laney said many questions can be answered online, anytime.

Vacant positions were eliminated at the call center, instead of lay offs.