Metro Transit (St. Louis)

Metro Transit

Company type	Public transit agency
Industry	Public transportation
Predecessor	15 private transit companies merged by Bi-State Development Agency
Founded	1963
Headquarters	St. Louis , United States
Area served	Greater St. Louis (Missouri and Illinois)
Products	Bus, light rail, streetcar, microtransit, paratransit services
Owner	Bi-State Development Agency

Metro Transit serves as the leading public transportation provider in the Greater St. Louis region, spanning areas within both Missouri and Illinois. Its offerings encompass bus, light rail, streetcar, microtransit, and paratransit services.

Operating across St. Louis city, St. Louis County (Missouri), and St. Clair County (Illinois), Metro Transit functions under the jurisdiction of the Bi-State Development Agency, an interstate compact established in 1949. In , annual ridership reached , with an average weekday usage of approximately passengers as of .

History

The origins of Metro Transit date back to 1963 when the Bi-State Development Agency merged 15 private transit companies, utilizing a $22.5 million bond to sustain effective public transportation. The system operated under Bi-State until 2003, at which point the agency adopted the Metro brand. In 2015, the parent entity reinstated the Bi-State Development name and rebranded the transit division as Metro Transit.

Following the acquisition of private operators in the 1960s, Bi-State unified bus services and discontinued St. Louis’s last streetcar line—the Hodiamont route—in 1966, substituting it with bus operations. Plans initiated by Great Rivers Greenway in 2018 aimed to transform the 3.5-mile former transit corridor into a greenway.

During the 1970s, Metro was among the pioneering U.S. transit systems to introduce buses equipped with wheelchair lifts. Facing financial difficulties in 1973, Bi-State threatened service reductions until Missouri enacted the Transportation Sales Tax Act, which allowed for a half-cent sales tax dedicated to transit funding in St. Louis and St. Louis County. This revenue enabled Bi-State to lower fares from 40 cents to 25 cents.

The 1980s ushered in Metro Call-A-Ride, a demand-response service designed to assist passengers with disabilities. Additionally, Arts in Transit, Inc., a nonprofit established in 1986, integrated local artwork into the transit environment. A study conducted in 1987 recommended a combination of light rail and bus services as the optimal future transit framework for the area. Construction commenced in 1990 on St. Louis’s inaugural light rail line, repurposing existing railroad rights-of-way including downtown tunnels and the Eads Bridge. The first segment, spanning 13.9 miles between North Hanley and 5th & Missouri stations, opened on July 31, 1993; an extension reaching Lambert Airport Main was completed by June 1994. Additional stations were added later: East Riverfront (1994), Lambert Airport East (1998), and Cortex (2018).

MetroLink experienced considerable growth with a 17.4-mile extension to Southwestern Illinois College opening in 2001, followed by a further 3.5-mile expansion to Shiloh, Illinois in 2003. In 2006, an eight-mile Cross County extension linked Forest Park-DeBaliviere to Shrewsbury.

After voters rejected Proposition M in 2008, Metro eliminated 24 Missouri bus routes and postponed expansion initiatives. However, a half-cent sales tax increase passed in 2010 through Proposition A restored service levels and financed expansion efforts under Moving Transit Forward. In 2013, St. Louis County provided a $400 million loan from Proposition A funds to retire debt associated with the Cross County extension. Subsequently, Proposition 1 passed by city voters in 2017 generated $12 million annually earmarked for MetroLink expansion.

In Illinois, a $96 million state grant was allocated in 2019 to extend MetroLink from Shiloh-Scott station to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport; construction began in 2023 with operations anticipated by spring 2026.

Metro introduced its first electric articulated buses—available in both 40- and 60-foot lengths—in 2021. Early in 2022, Bi-State assumed operational control of the financially struggling Loop Trolley; it reopened later that year supported by a $1.26 million grant facilitating seasonal service. By November 2024’s season end, the trolley operated within budget and saw ridership increase by 44%.

A severe flash flood in July 2022 suspended MetroLink service for nearly three days and inflicted approximately $40 million worth of damage impacting track beds, elevators, signal houses, vehicles, and communication facilities.
By September of that year, full Red Line service resumed while Blue Line operated under constraints until all repairs concluded by March 2024.

In March 2023, Bi-State authorized collaboration with St. Louis city officials to plan and develop the Green Line MetroLink expansion.
That September saw an $18.9 million design consulting contract awarded for this project. In February 2024, East-West Gateway endorsed an updated locally preferred alternative along Jefferson Avenue. In May 2023, Metro secured a federal grant totaling $196.2 million aimed at replacing aging SD-400 light rail vehicles. Six months later, Bi-State contracted Siemens Mobility for up to $390.4 million to deliver as many as 55 battery-hybrid S200 light rail cars beginning early 2027.

September 2024 marked the commencement of initial turnstile operations at four Illinois stations as part of Metro’s Secure Platform Plan. Seven Missouri stations are targeted for completion by early 2025, with comprehensive station upgrades and new fare collection systems expected by early 2026.

MetroBus

Metro Transit has been delivering bus transportation throughout the Greater St. Louis region since 1963, currently managing 44 fixed routes in Missouri and 14 in Illinois. In September 2019, the agency implemented the Metro Reimagined initiative, which restructured routes in Missouri to boost service frequency on high-demand corridors while eliminating six routes with low ridership. That same year, more than 360 bus stops were either removed or repositioned out of the system’s total of 5,400 stops. In June 2021, Metro introduced the area's inaugural electric buses, including both 40-foot and 60-foot articulated models; the larger vehicles operate on the #70 Grand route, recognized as the system’s busiest line.

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant drop in passenger numbers and contributed to a labor shortage that constrained service availability. To counter these challenges, Bi-State’s board ratified a new agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 788 in August 2023, which included wage increases and signing bonuses. By late 2024, the number of operators increased from 556 to 673, allowing for enhanced frequency or additional service on 42 routes across both Missouri and Illinois, along with the introduction of four new routes.

MetroLink

Since its inception in 1993, Metro Transit has operated the light rail network serving Greater St. Louis. The system comprises two lines—the Red and Blue—with a total of 38 stations spanning of track. The Red Line extends from St. Louis Lambert International Airport in northwest St. Louis County to Shiloh, Illinois, near Scott Air Force Base. The Blue Line, launched in 2006, runs from Shrewsbury, Missouri, connecting to the Red Line at Forest Park-DeBaliviere station. Construction began in 2023 on an extension of the Red Line from Shiloh-Scott station to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, with an anticipated opening by 2026. Additionally, plans exist for a Green Line expansion within Missouri that would link North and South St. Louis.

Although classified as light rail, MetroLink operates with characteristics typical of a light metro or rapid transit system, including exclusive right-of-way segments, higher operating speeds, and level boarding at every platform.

Metro Call-A-Ride

Since 1987, Metro Transit’s Call-A-Ride service has provided demand-responsive transportation options for residents lacking convenient access to MetroBus or MetroLink services. This includes individuals with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route transit. In April 2023, due to shortages of drivers, Metro scaled back the Call-A-Ride coverage area—primarily impacting southwest and far northern parts of St. Louis County—a move that attracted public criticism.

Via Metro STL

Via Metro STL is an app-driven microtransit service operated by Via Transportation in collaboration with Metro Transit. Launched in June 2020, it focuses on serving exurban zones within St. Louis County where bus stops and MetroLink connections are sparse. The service operates within three designated areas: North, South, and West zones. In 2024 alone, Via Metro STL completed a total of 277,623 trips.

Loop Trolley

The Loop Trolley is a heritage streetcar service that runs between City Hall in University City and the Missouri History Museum as well as Forest Park in St. Louis. This 10-stop line follows Delmar Boulevard through the Delmar Loop and along DeBaliviere Avenue, providing connections to MetroLink at both the Delmar Loop and Forest Park–DeBaliviere stations.

Following financial difficulties and suspensions, Bi-State's board authorized Metro Transit to assume operational control on February 18, 2022. The trolley resumed service in August 2022 after Metro secured a $1.26 million grant from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, enabling seasonal operations for multiple years. By November 2024, Metro announced that the trolley had completed its season within budget, achieving a 44% increase in ridership, which suggested no additional funding would be necessary at current service levels.

Fares

Metro Transit utilizes a proof-of-payment system where passengers must carry valid passes for verification. On MetroBus routes, riders with valid passes present them to drivers, while those without must pay exact fare onboard. Starting in 2024, MetroLink will introduce a paid access system as part of its Secure Platform Plan.

Certain fares from Madison County Transit (MCT) are accepted by Metro; MCT’s regional two-hour pass is honored as full fare on both MetroBus and MetroLink services, while senior and ADA passes qualify for reduced fares. Conversely, Metro’s two-hour pass or transfer is valid for one MCT bus trip without extra charge.

Individuals called for jury duty within Metro’s coverage area are entitled to complimentary travel on both MetroBus and MetroLink.

Metro Transit Fare Structure
Fare Category	Service Type	Price
Cash Base Fare	Bus	$1.00
Cash Base Fare	Rail	$2.50
Reduced Cash Fare*	Bus	$0.50
Reduced Cash Fare*	Rail	$1.25
2-Hour Pass/Transfer†	Bus/Rail	$3.00
2-Hour Pass/Transfer (Reduced Fare)*†	Bus/Rail	$1.50
2-Hour Pass (Lambert Airport)†	Bus/Rail	$4.00
(10) 2-Hour Passes†	Bus/Rail	$30.00
One-Day Adventure Pass	Bus/Rail	$5.00
Weekly Pass	Bus/Rail	$27.00
Monthly Pass	Bus/Rail	$78.00
Monthly Pass (Reduced Fare)*	Bus/Rail	$39.00
Combo Pass	Bus/Rail	$98.00
University Semester Pass	Bus/Rail	$175.00
Metro Call-A-Ride Service	Call-A-Ride	$2.00

• Reduced fares require an approved Metro reduced fare permit

† Two-hour passes can only be purchased via the Transit mobile app

Buses

Metro Transit operates a fleet of 308 vehicles dedicated to MetroBus service, consisting of 276 low-emission diesel buses by Gillig, available in 35- and 40-foot low-floor models; 10 electric Gillig buses measuring 40 feet; and 14 electric 60-foot articulated buses from New Flyer, specifically the XE60 model. Electric buses receive overnight charging at Brentwood and DeBaliviere garages, with additional in-route charging provided at North Broadway Transit Center. Every MetroBus vehicle is equipped with a two-bike rack accessible on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, Metro operates a fleet of 123 Call-A-Ride vans. All vehicles within both the MetroBus and Call-A-Ride services feature accessible lifts or ramps along with designated priority seating areas.

Trains

At its height, Metro Transit operated a total of 87 Siemens light rail vehicles on the MetroLink system, comprising 31 SD-400 units and 56 SD-460 units. By 2024, the fleet was composed of 22 SD-400s alongside 50 SD-460s, with two SD-460 vehicles lost during flooding in July 2022. Routine maintenance is conducted at the Ewing and 29th Street rail yards. All trains comply with the ADA, featuring designated priority seating and areas for mobility devices; bicycles are permitted in designated sections of certain train cars.

In May 2023, Metro secured a federal grant totaling $196.2 million to purchase new Siemens S200 light rail vehicles intended to replace the remaining SD-400 fleet. Half a year later, Bi-State authorized a contract with Siemens Mobility valued up to $390.4 million for as many as 55 battery-hybrid LRVs equipped with onboard traction batteries, allowing operation for extended distances without reliance on overhead wires. These new vehicles are scheduled for delivery starting in 2027, while the existing SD-460 cars will undergo refurbishment.

Additionally, Metro operates two ADA-compliant replica streetcars of Portland’s Council Crest model, constructed by Gomaco, for use on the Loop Trolley. Formerly, Metro owned three ex-Melbourne, Australia W2-type streetcars that had previously run on Seattle’s Waterfront Streetcar; these were returned to Gomaco in 2024.

Liveries

Metro Transit applies a largely uniform livery across its services, with exceptions for battery-electric buses and the Loop Trolley. Beginning in 2019, a refreshed vehicle paint scheme was introduced. Previously, MetroLink vehicles featured a white base color with a red stripe below the windows that transitioned into a dashed blue stripe near each operator cab, accompanied by the "M" logo prominently displayed on the front. MetroBus and Metro Call-A-Ride vehicles shared similar styling, with the red stripe extending around the rear.

The revised livery adopts a blue base complemented by white detailing. On MetroLink trains, the stripe is positioned lower to accommodate the word "metro," while rooftops are painted black. This design is mirrored by Metro Call-A-Ride vehicles, whereas MetroBus displays two prominent white circles on each side and has largely removed the horizontal stripe except near the "metro" branding. The "M" logo remains visible at the front of all vehicles.

Battery-electric buses feature lime green coloring at both front and rear ends, with blue panels in the center highlighted by a green leaf motif. Near the base runs a white stripe containing "metro" alongside a power plug icon, symbolizing collaboration with Ameren Missouri.

In January 2024, Metro announced it would cease allowing exterior advertisements on its buses and trains, removing 144 advertising spaces that had generated up to $1.5 million annually through Vector Media. This decision was driven by concerns over visual appearance despite the revenue benefits.

Leadership

The executive leadership of Metro Transit is headed by President and CEO Taulby Roach along with Chief Operating Officer Charles A. Stewart. As an entity within the Bi-State Development Agency, Metro’s management is accountable to Bi-State's Board of Commissioners. By 2024, the agency employed around 2,000 personnel.

Security

Security operations for Metro Transit are overseen by contracted uniformed police officers alongside dedicated security personnel known colloquially as "bumblebees," named for their eye-catching neon-yellow and black attire. These security staff are responsible for ensuring fare compliance, conducting train patrols, and providing assistance to riders. Additionally, Metro Transit employs law enforcement officers from various agencies, including the St. Louis County Police Department, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, and St. Louis City Sheriff’s Department.

The security system is supported by a range of measures such as enhanced lighting, surveillance cameras, emergency call stations, regular patrols, and coordinated radio communication linking train operators with central control hubs.

Kevin Scott holds the position of General Manager of Security at Metro Transit.

Funding

Metro Transit's operational funding predominantly derives from sales tax revenues collected within the city of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the St. Clair County Transit District. This core financial base is augmented by federal and state grants as well as income generated from passenger fares. For the fiscal year 2025, Metro’s operating budget amounts to $328,980,534, complemented by a capital budget over three years totaling $1,037,311,983. Expected sales tax revenue from the three jurisdictions is approximately $312 million in FY2025; federal grants contribute $4.2 million, Missouri state funds add $750,000, and passenger fare revenue is projected at $21.8 million.

The funding structure traces back to the 1973 Transportation Sales Tax Act enacted by the Missouri General Assembly, which authorized St. Louis City and St. Louis County to levy up to a half-cent sales tax dedicated to public transit. Subsequently, in 1981, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Local Mass Transit District Act permitting counties to impose a sales tax of up to one-quarter cent.

Sales Tax Ballot Initiatives
Ballot measure	Year	County	Sales tax	Outcome
Transportation Sales Tax Act	1973	City of St. Louis	0.5%	Approved
	1973	St. Louis County	0.5%	Approved
Local Mass Transit District Act	1981	St. Clair County	0.25%	Approved
Proposition M	1993	St. Clair County	0.5%	Approved
	1994	City of St. Louis	0.25%	Approved
	1994	St. Louis County	0.25%	Approved
	1996	St. Charles County	0.5%	Rejected
	1996	St. Charles County	0.5%	Rejected
	1997	City of St. Louis	0.25%	Approved†
	1997	St. Louis County	0.25%	Rejected
	1997	Madison County	0.5%	Rejected
	2008	St. Louis County	0.5%	Rejected
Proposition A	2010	St. Louis County	0.5%	Approved
Proposition 1	2017	City of St. Louis	0.5%	Approved

† The passage of the 1997 Proposition M in St. Louis City was contingent upon a similar measure in St. Louis County; actual sales tax collection commenced following the approval of Proposition A in St. Louis County in 2010.

MidAmerica Airport extension

In 2019, the St. Clair County Transit District obtained $96 million from Illinois infrastructure funds to construct an extension of the Red Line running from Shiloh-Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah. This undertaking consists of two portions—a segment with double tracks and another with a single track—and includes a station at the airport itself. Construction kicked off in 2023, with service anticipated to commence in early 2026.

MetroLink system rehabilitation

In 2023, Metro initiated a comprehensive, multi-year rehabilitation program across its entire network. Initial efforts concentrated on refurbishing the downtown subway tunnels and stations such as Laclede's Landing, Convention Center, and 8th & Pine. Further improvements target components like catenary wires, curved track sections, platforms, retaining walls, stairways, and conduit infrastructure.

Beginning in 2025, the Union Station tunnel (Union Station tunnel) will undergo rehabilitation, followed by renovations of the Cross County tunnel planned for 2026. These upgrades will encompass enhancements at the Skinker and University City–Big Bend stations as well as construction of a storage siding near Richmond Heights. By 2026, Metro intends to finalize improvements to Supervisory Control Automated Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Public Address/Customer Information (PA/CIS) systems. These integrated technologies will improve operational oversight and deliver real-time arrival updates to passengers through live station displays.

Secure Platform Plan

In 2024, Metro Transit commenced installation of turnstiles across all MetroLink stations as part of its $52 million Secure Platform Plan (SPP). This program also features a new fare collection system, enhanced fencing, passenger-assistance telephones, and over 1,800 surveillance cameras monitored from a control center that opened in November 2022 at Metro’s Central Garage.

The SPP rollout is organized into three phases or "packages," aiming for full implementation by 2026. In September 2023, Bi-State awarded a $6.4 million contract to Millstone Weber LLC for the first phase covering four Illinois stations. Turnstiles at these locations began operation in September 2024; however, initial fare gate usage is manual due to delays with the new fare system. The second phase targets seven Missouri stations with completion expected by early 2025. The final phase will include remaining stations and the upgraded fare system, scheduled for early 2026.

North-South MetroLink

The proposed North-South light rail line for MetroLink—designated as the Green Line—is planned to resemble other American on-street light rail networks such as those in Houston and Phoenix rather than the rapid transit-style Red and Blue lines. It will connect with existing lines via an infill transfer station.

This route would encompass approximately 10 stations stretching from Chippewa Street in South St. Louis to Grand Boulevard in North St. Louis, primarily following Jefferson Avenue and effectively upgrading Metro’s #11 and #4 bus routes into fixed rail service. In September 2023, Bi-State Development approved a four-year $18.9 million contract with Northside-Southside Transit Partners for design consulting services related to the project. By February 2024, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments endorsed the Jefferson Avenue alignment as the locally preferred alternative. The design study conducted in 2023 projects around 5,000 daily boardings alongside estimated annual operating expenses of $8-9 million and capital costs totaling approximately $1.1 billion.

An extension into North St. Louis County was examined with four alternatives proposed in 2023 to continue from the Grand/Fairground station along Natural Bridge Avenue. However, by 2024 local county officials dismissed these options due to an unfunded gap leading to the county boundary and concerns regarding federal funding eligibility, ridership projections, and right-of-way limitations. Instead, other possibilities are being explored including a light rail branch diverging from the Red Line near the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus, enhanced rapid bus service, or hybrid versions combining earlier proposals.

Previous proposals

After the approval of Proposition A in 2010, Metro Transit unveiled its long-term strategy titled Moving Transit Forward, which included a variety of service enhancements. Most of these initiatives have since been discontinued, as regional decision-makers have concentrated efforts on extending MetroLink within St. Louis city and North St. Louis County.

MetroLink

The plan Moving Transit Forward identified five possible MetroLink extension projects: North-South, Daniel Boone, MetroSouth, MetroNorth, and Madison County. Presently, only the initial segment of the North-South extension is under design development; the remaining proposals are still in early feasibility phases due to concerns over funding availability, expected ridership levels, and community backing.

Bus Rapid Transit

Within Moving Transit Forward, five prospective bus rapid transit routes were proposed. Four of these would run along major highways linking downtown St. Louis to suburban areas: I-44 toward Eureka, I-64 toward Chesterfield, I-55 toward South County, and I-70 toward St. Charles County. Additionally, a fifth corridor was planned along Grand Boulevard within St. Louis city limits.

Commuter rail

Initial proposals included two extended commuter rail lines departing from the Gateway Transportation Center in downtown St. Louis to destinations in Alton, Illinois, and Pacific, Missouri. Although these corridors currently host Amtrak services, no formal studies have been conducted to assess their suitability for local commuter rail operations.

External links

• Metro – Official site for Metro Transit
• Bi-State Development – Official Bi-State Development website
• St. Clair County Transit District – Official site for St. Clair County Transit District
• Citizens for Modern Transit – Advocacy group for transit in St. Louis
• Arts in Transit Website