Metro Transit (St. Louis)

Metro Transit is an enterprise of the Bi-State Development Agency and operates public transportation services in the St. Louis region. In, the system had an annual ridership of , or about per weekday as of.

History
The enterprise now known as Metro Transit was founded in 1963 when the Bi-State Development Agency, using a $26.5 million bond issue, purchased and consolidated 15 privately owned transit operators to sustain efficient and reliable public transportation in the region. These services would operate under the Bi-State name until 2003, when the agency would begin operating as Metro. In 2015, the Bi-State Development name would be resurrected for the parent organization and the public transit enterprise renamed Metro Transit.

In the 1960s, after taking over the private operators, Bi-State consolidated bus lines and in 1966 shut down the St. Louis region's last streetcar service, the Hodiamont line. Its right-of-way was paved over and replaced with buses.

In the 1970s, the system became one of the first in the United States to use buses equipped with wheelchair lifts. In the 1980s, Metro Call-A-Ride began demand response service to help people whose physical or cognitive disabilities prevented them from independently using regular fixed-route bus or light rail service. In 1986, Arts in Transit, Inc. was founded, which is a 501(c)(3) organization that ensures the integration of local art and design in the transit system. In 1987, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments completed a study that recommended light rail with an integrated bus network as the next step forward for the St. Louis region’s public transit system. Construction on the region's first light rail line began in 1990 by reusing former railroad rights-of-way including downtown subway tunnels and the Eads Bridge. The first 13.9 mi segment opened on July 31, 1993, between the North Hanley and 5th & Missouri stations. The remainder of this initial alignment was completed on June 25, 1994, when the extension to Lambert Airport Main opened. Three infill stations have been added to this original alignment. East Riverfront in 1994, Lambert Airport East in 1998, and Cortex in 2018. In 2001, MetroLink doubled in length with a 17.4 mi extension to Southwestern Illinois College in St. Clair County. Two years later, a 3.5 mi extension brought service to Shiloh, Illinois. In 2006, Metro opened the 8 mi Cross County extension that runs from the Forest Park-DeBaliviere station to Shrewsbury, Missouri.

After St. Louis County voters defeated Proposition M in 2008, Metro shelved all expansion plans and was forced to cut 24 Missouri bus routes. Metro returned to voters in 2010 with Proposition A and was successful in raising funds to restore service cuts. In 2019, the State of Illinois provided the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) $96 million in funding to extend MetroLink from Shiloh-Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. SCCTD began construction on the extension in 2023; Metro is expected to begin operating it in spring 2026. In 2021, Metro introduced the region's first electric buses: 40-foot and 60-foot articulated models.

In February 2022, Bi-State's board voted in favor of Metro taking over operation of the troubled Loop Trolley. Metro reopened the trolley for operation on August 4, 2022. On August 21, East-West Gateway voted to award Metro a $1.26 million grant to operate the trolley on a seasonal schedule for the next several years.

On July 26, 2022, a flash flood shut down MetroLink for nearly 72 hours and caused roughly $40 million in damage. The flood damaged nearly 5 mi of track bed, two elevators, two communications rooms, and three signal houses and destroyed two MetroLink vehicles and a Call-A-Ride van. By that September, normal Red Line service had resumed while restricted service continued on the Blue Line. On July 31, 2023, Metro received $27.7 million in federal emergency disaster relief funding to help cover the cost of restoration. In March 2024, Blue Line platform and speed restrictions were lifted after repairs on the last signal house were completed.

In March 2023, Bi-State's board approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing the Metro team to plan and develop the Green Line MetroLink expansion with the City of St. Louis. That September, Bi-State's board approved a 4-year, $18.9 million contract with the joint venture Northside-Southside Transit Partners to provide consulting services for the design phase of the project. In February 2024, East-West Gateway approved the updated locally preferred alternative along Jefferson.

In May 2023, Metro received a $196.2 million federal grant to purchase new light rail vehicles to replace the remaining SD-400 cars. Six months later, Bi-State's board approved a contract with Siemens Mobility worth up to $390.4 million for as many as 55 battery-hybrid S200 light rail vehicles with delivery expected to begin in 2026.

MetroBus
Since 1963, Metro Transit has continuously provided bus service in the Greater St. Louis region. Metro currently operates 46 fixed bus routes in Missouri and 13 fixed bus routes in Illinois. In September 2019, Metro launched Metro Reimagined, a restructuring of Missouri bus routes that increased frequency on busy routes and discontinued six low-ridership routes. That same year, Metro also removed or relocated more than 360 of the system's 5,400 bus stops. In June 2021, Metro introduced the region's first electric buses including 40-foot and 60-foot articulated models. The 60-foot articulated buses are used exclusively on the #70 Grand bus line, the region's busiest.

In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in MetroBus ridership and initiated a labor shortage that has reduced Metro's ability to offer comprehensive service to passengers. In an effort to recruit more drivers, Bi-State's board signed a contract in August 2023 with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 788, which approved salary increases and a signing bonus. In January 2024, Metro increased frequency on 17 Missouri bus routes after increasing its driver ranks from 556 to 618. In June, Metro increased frequency on an additional 15 MetroBus routes and relaunched evening service on four routes.

MetroLink
Since 1993, Metro Transit has operated light rail service in the Greater St. Louis region. Today, the system consists of two lines, the Red and Blue lines, with 38 stations and 46 mi of track. It runs from St. Louis Lambert International Airport in northwest St. Louis County to Shiloh, Illinois near Scott Air Force Base in southeast St. Clair County. The Cross County extension opened in 2006 and introduced MetroLink service between Forest Park and Shrewsbury, Missouri. A 5.2 mi extension of the Red Line from Shiloh-Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah broke ground in 2023 and is expected to be operational by 2026. In Missouri, Metro and local leaders are planning a line that would run between North and South St. Louis with a potential extension into North St. Louis County.

While officially light rail, MetroLink features many characteristics of a light metro or rapid transit service, including a completely independent right of way, a higher top speed, and level boarding at all platforms.

Metro Call-A-Ride
Since 1987, Metro Transit's Call-A-Ride demand response service has provided alternative transportation to residents who have limited access to MetroBus or MetroLink and/or disabled residents who are unable to use those services. In April 2023, in response to operator shortages, Metro announced that it would reduce its service area for Call-A-Ride, primarily in southwest and far north St. Louis County. These reductions in service have led to significant criticism for the transit agency.

Via Metro STL
Via Metro STL is an app-based, on-demand microtransit service provided by Via Transportation with Metro Transit. The service launched in June 2020 to serve exurban areas of St. Louis County with few bus stops and limited MetroLink service. It provides rides in three service zones; North, South and West. In 2023, the service completed 271,402 rides.

Loop Trolley
The Loop Trolley is a 2.2 mi, 10-station heritage streetcar line that runs from City Hall in University City to the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis' Forest Park. The line travels along Delmar Boulevard through the popular Delmar Loop district and DeBaliviere Avenue between Delmar and Forest Park. The trolley has stops at both the Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Delmar Loop MetroLink stations.

On February 18, 2022, Bi-State Development's board voted in favor of Metro Transit taking over trolley operations after several financial setbacks and closures. Metro reopened the Loop Trolley for operation on August 4, 2022. On August 21, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments voted to award Metro a $1.26 million grant to operate the trolley on a seasonal schedule for the next several years.

Fares
Metro Transit uses a proof-of-payment system, requiring riders to carry passes at all times. When boarding MetroBus, riders with valid passes present them to the operator and those without passes are able to pay exact change into the onboard farebox. MetroLink passengers must have a validated pass and present it when asked by security personnel. Beginning in 2024, MetroLink will convert to a paid access system as part of its Secure Platform Plan.

Metro also accepts some fares from Madison County Transit (MCT) on its services. MCT's 2-hour regional pass is accepted as full fare on MetroBus and MetroLink and its senior/ADA passes qualify as reduced fare on Metro services. In addition, Metro's 2-hour pass/transfer is valid for a single bus trip on MCT with no additional charge.

Residents called to jury duty in Metro's service area may travel on MetroBus and MetroLink free of charge.

Security
Security for the Metro system is provided by contracted uniformed police and Metro's own security guards. Known as "bumblebees" for their neon-yellow and black uniforms, Metro security guards enforce fare collection and other rules, patrol trains, and help passengers. The system also has contracts for officers with the St. Louis County Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and the St. Louis City Sheriff’s Department.

Security features in vehicles, stations and transit centers include lights, closed-circuit television monitoring, emergency telephones, police and security patrols, and radio communication between operators and MetroBus and MetroLink control centers.

Kevin Scott is the General Manager of Security for Metro Transit.

Secure Platform Plan
In 2024, Metro Transit will begin adding turnstiles at all MetroLink stations as part of its $52 million Secure Platform Plan (SPP). Stations will also receive a new fare collection system, more fences, passenger-assist telephones, and live cameras to be monitored at a center opened in November 2022 at Metro's Central Garage.

The SPP will be implemented in six phases of four to eight stations apiece. The first phase, which covers four Illinois stations, is slated for completion in spring 2024 under a $6.4 million contract awarded to Millstone Weber LLC on September 26, 2023. The second phase covers seven Missouri stations and is also slated for completion in 2024. The other four phases are slated for completion in 2025.

Buses
Metro Transit operates 261 vehicles for MetroBus, including 237 35- and 40-foot low-emission, low-floor diesel buses made by Gillig; 10 electric 40-foot Gillig buses; and 14 electric 60-foot articulated New Flyer XE60 buses. Electric buses are charged overnight at the Brentwood and DeBaliviere garages, while in-service charging is at the North Broadway Transit Center. Each MetroBus vehicle has a two-bike bike rack, available first-come, first-served.

Metro also operates 123 Call-A-Ride vans.

All MetroBus and Call-A-Ride vehicles have an accessible lift or ramp and include priority seating.

Trains
At its largest, Metro Transit operated a fleet of 87 Siemens light rail vehicles for MetroLink, including 31 SD-400 cars and 56 SD-460 cars. As of 2023, Metro operated 25 SD-400s and 50 SD-460s. Two SD-460s were destroyed in a July 2022 flash flood. Metro services trains at its Ewing and 29th Street rail yards. All light rail vehicles are accessible and include priority seating and spaces for those using mobility devices. Riders may walk bicycles onto the rear of the first train car and the front and rear of the second car.

In May 2023, Metro received a $196.2 million federal grant to purchase a fleet of new Siemens S200 light rail vehicles to replace the remaining 25 SD-400 cars. Six months later, Bi-State's board approved a contract with Siemens Mobility worth up to $390.4 million for as many as 55 battery-hybrid light rail vehicles to replace aging rolling stock. The onboard traction batteries would allow a train to travel 5 mi without overhead catenary wire. Delivery of the new vehicles is expected to begin in 2026. Meanwhile, Metro is refurbishing many of the remaining SD-460 cars for continued use.

Metro currently operates three vehicles for the Loop Trolley: two Gomaco-built Brill-replica streetcars that came from Portland, Oregon, and one W2-type streetcar used in Melbourne, Australia, and Seattle. All three vehicles were modified for wheelchair accessibility to meet ADA regulations before entering service.

Liveries
Metro Transit has a similar livery across all of its services except its battery-electric buses and the Loop Trolley. In 2019, Metro began phasing in a new livery for its vehicles. Previously, MetroLink vehicles had a white base with a red stripe running horizontally beneath the windows that turned into a dashed blue stripe near each operator cab. The front included Metro's "M" logo centered between vertical blue, red, and white lines. MetroBus and Metro Call-A-Ride were similar, except the red stripe continued around the rear of the vehicles. The new livery is made up of a blue base with white accents. On MetroLink, the stripe was moved further below the windows so the word "metro" could be inlaid within it and the tops of the cars were painted black. Metro Call-A-Ride uses this same design. MetroBus includes two large white circles on either side of the bus. The horizontal stripe has been eliminated, save for a small portion on either side of the word "metro." All three services retained Metro's "M" logo on the front of their vehicles.

Metro's battery-electric buses are a shade of lime green on the front and rear with shades of blue in the center accented by a green leaf pattern. A white stripe runs horizontally near the base with the word "metro" and an image of a power plug inlaid within it. This livery is part of a partnership with Ameren Missouri.

In January 2024, the agency announced that it would cease to sell advertising that covers the exterior of buses and trains, citing aesthetic reasons. The 144 exterior advertisement spaces had generated up to $1.5 million annually through contractor Vector Media but had also drawn complaints.

Leadership
Metro Transit's executive leadership is made up of President and CEO Taulby Roach and Chief Operating Officer Charles A. Stewart. As an enterprise of the Bi-State Development Agency, Metro's leadership answers to Bi-State's Board of Commissioners. As of 2024, the agency had 2,000 employees.

Funding
Metro's operating budget is funded by sales taxes from the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County and the St. Clair County Transit District. Other funds come through federal and state grants and fare-paying passengers. Collectively, St. Louis City and County contribute 1.75% in sales tax to Metro, while St. Clair County, Illinois, contributes 0.75%.

MidAmerica Airport extension
In 2019, the St. Clair County Transit District was awarded $96 million in Illinois infrastructure funding to build a 5.2 mi extension of the Red Line from Shiloh-Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah. This extension will include two 2.6 mi segments, a double-track and a single-track segment, along with a station at the airport. Construction on the extension began in 2023 with Metro expecting to begin operations in early 2026.

MetroLink rehabilitation
In 2023, Metro began a system-wide rehabilitation program that will last up to two years. That spring, Metro began rehabilitating the downtown subway tunnels, including the Laclede's Landing, Convention Center, and 8th & Pine subway stations. Elsewhere, curve tracks, catenary wire, system conduit, staircases, and retaining walls are to be upgraded or replaced. Three stations are to receive platform rehabilitations: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, Rock Road, and Wellston.

Beginning in 2024, Metro will start rehabilitating the Union Station tunnel and the Cross County tunnels and stations between Forsyth and Skinker. The latter will include the construction of a storage siding near the Richmond Heights station. In 2024, Metro expects to complete upgrades to the Supervisory Control Automated Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Public Address/Customer Information (PA/CIS) systems. The upgraded SCADA/PA/CIS will operate as an integrated system that monitors and controls operations and will allow Metro to provide real-time arrival information to passengers, such as live displays at stations.

North-South MetroLink
MetroLink's proposed North-South light rail line would lack the rapid transit-like characteristics of the Red and Blue lines, resembling instead other U.S. on-street light rail lines, such as those in Houston or Phoenix. The new line would be connected to the Red and Blue lines with infill transfer stations. The expansion has been named the Green Line and is envisioned in two sequential phases:


 * 1) Jefferson Alignment. This 5.6 mi expansion would serve about 10 stations between Chippewa Street in South St. Louis and Grand Boulevard in North St. Louis running primarily on Jefferson Avenue. It would provide a fixed rail upgrade to Metro's #11 (Chippewa) and #4 (Natural Bridge) bus routes. In September 2023, Bi-State Development's board approved a 4-year, $18.9 million contract with the joint venture Northside-Southside Transit Partners to provide consulting services for the design phase of the project. In February 2024, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments approved the updated locally preferred alternative along Jefferson. The 2023 design study estimates 5,000 daily boardings, $8-9 million in annual operating costs, and $1.1 billion in capital costs.
 * 2) North St. Louis County Connector. This extension would be a Phase II to Northside/Southside and continue from the Grand/Fairground station along Natural Bridge Avenue toward North St. Louis County. This route would initially continue the fixed rail upgrade to Metro's #4 bus route along Natural Bridge. In February 2023, Metro announced four routes for consideration by area residents.

Previous proposals
Many of these services were proposed in 2010 when Metro Transit released its 30-year plan, Moving Transit Forward. Most are defunct; regional leaders have said their priorities are the proposed MetroLink extensions in the city of St. Louis and North St. Louis County.

MetroLink
Moving Transit Forward identified five potential MetroLink extensions as part of its long-range plan: North-South, Daniel Boone, MetroSouth, MetroNorth, and Madison County. While the first phase of North-South is in design, no others have moved beyond the initial study phase because of uncertainties about funding, ridership potential, community support, and other factors.

Bus Rapid Transit
Moving Transit Forward also identified five potential bus rapid transit lines. Four would have run along highways that connect downtown St. Louis to its suburbs: I-44 to Eureka, I-64 to Chesterfield, I-55 to South County, and I-70 to St. Charles County. A fifth line would have run along Grand Boulevard in St. Louis.

Commuter rail
Initially, two long-distance commuter rail lines were proposed as part of Moving Transit Forward. Both would have run from the Gateway Transportation Center in downtown St. Louis to Alton, Illinois, and the Pacific, Missouri area. Both routes carry existing Amtrak service. Neither has been studied for local commuter rail service.