I've never ridden a bus in St. Louis, so this is a review of a day's worth of experience using MetroLink, St. Louis's rather limited light-rail system. For my dad and my purposes, MetroLink was perfect. We were staying near the airport and had free shuttle access through our hotel, and we were in town to see a Dodger-Cardinal game. We rode the Red Line from Lambert Airport Terminal 2 Station to Stadium Station and back. I had no idea what to expect, but knowing that the system comprised only two lines (and that these two lines were the same for basically half the system), I thought it might be bad. In fact, I thought it might be really bad. The trains themselves are fairly clean, and although the seating could be a little bit more efficient, the huge windows really do make the experience more relaxing, especially in a crowded car like the one we rode back from the ballpark. But MetroLink has a secret that it keeps, and I have no idea why. When we came to St. Louis, the temperature was in the 90s, with humidity near 97 percent. (Yes, the baseball game was hot, but thankfully, we had covered seating.) Soon after finding seats in the train, we realized it was cooler inside than it had been outside. How was that possible? Then, two stops along, we heard a mechanical sound, and delicious freezing air came rushing into the car. This wasn't a fluke, as we experienced it on the ride back as well. MetroLink has the finest, most heat-destroying air conditioning that I have ever experienced on public transit, and I've spent a lot of time on public transit. So those two rides on the Red Line were blissfully comfortable, at least in terms of ambient temperature. Both trains had lots of really loud, obnoxious, doing-too-much teenagers; but I've grown to expect most of that on public transit. I never felt personally in danger, although there was a train-car argument that included six or seven teens of both sexes and on all parts of the train car yelling and cursing at and calling one another out. That beef eventually spilled out onto a platform at one of the stations, where a fistfight ensued, but once the beefants were off the train, everything was quiet and relaxed, and riders started making jokes about how random and sudden the argument had been. read more

The train is always on time and reliable. The buses however are terribly inconsistent and riddled with unannounced cancellations while also somehow sending out false cancellations. Tldr: Buses are unreliable, Trains are good. read more

Unsafe, flithy, poor to non existent customer service. Homeless and junkies ride for free per drivers causing unhealthy and unsafe rides. Prices are high for buses that dont show and trains that are constantkt delayed over construction or cardinal games to which you can barely fit inside. Supervisors, namemt, Crystal are just as bad as the drivers conxerning attitude and service. Ive made several complaints through Crystal to no avail due to her having a terrible , hard breathing tone and "who cares" attitude. No wonder service sucks on a daily, there's no consequence for actions of drivers/instructors. Metro STL is getting worse and more unsafe by th second, its why riders are being shot to death!!!! read more

Our ride on the Metro was good. We were greeted by very kind and friendly staff at our first station, which was a great intro to our journey. The cars were pretty clean, and the system was easy to use. The trains ran on time for our trips. Security was present and visible. read more

I love cities with easy public transportation that includes the airport and downtown. The Saint Louis MetroLink does exactly that. The MetroLink is the 11th largest light rail system in the United States with 38 stations and 46 miles of track. It is the only light rail system to cross state lines as the rail crosses the Mississippi River between Missouri and Illinois. Construction began in 1990 and was expanded to include the airport in 1988. There are two separate lines that overlap for the majority of their track length. The Red Line includes the airport where the Blue Line goes more south and terminates at Shrewsbury. They operate together from Forest Park through Fairview Heights (in Illinois) where the Blue Line terminates and the Red Line continues for a few more stations to terminate at Shiloh-Scott. I rode three times and there was security present for at least a few stops each time. I've heard stories, so it was nice that there was security present. That said, if you're concerned, you will want to sit in the front car closes to the driver. The cars were clean and free of litter. No eating, drinking or smoking is permitted on board. MetroLink uses a proof-of-payment system. Tickets can be purchased at ticket vending machines at the entrance to all stations and must be validated before boarding the train. Single ride tickets are good for up to two hours in the direction that a passenger initially boards. Each of the stations I visited is handicapped accessible but I don't know if they are all such. Enjoy your ride! [Review 14435 overall, 1761 of 2020, number 69 in Missouri.] read more

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I haven't met you but I've met this metro, and it was a nice meeting for sure. I definitely prefer Kansas City mass transit to St. Louis. It feels more extensive and safer even, though they don't have the trains, which are a great addition to STL. It's still a good service to get around in a city, which means three stars, but it's a very sprawling city with a hell of a lot of crime, so that doesn't help its transit at all, honestly. And it doesn't cover all the areas that I go to, and as I said it doesn't always feel safe. But at least they have a train. Did I mention they have a train? So come on ride the train. And ride it. read more

Metro - When I phone barbie it's basically calling a ride - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

2 stars only because it costs a dollar to ride and most of the time the drivers are polite and safe. I'm very disappointed at the fact there's a 95 bus stop at Kingshighway and Oakland going toward Tower Grove, but the bus never comes, so learning that today: I had to walk home, miles away, in the storm. read more

There are problems but it's not metro, it's the riders. Honestly Metro is amazing considering how little money they have and how big a task they work. The city was designed for 3x the current population, and it highly impoverished. This leads to lots of petty and even violent crime. And you as a rider are not always the chosen victim. I've seen a bus driver just a couple weeks ago have a gun pulled on him, get spit on, then continued the bus ride. Amazing dedication. All for $15/hr, which is minimum wage basically (as Walmart and McDonald's seem to think so). Sure there are benefits, but a job that puts you in poverty, while getting spit on, robbed, shot at, or actually murdered (one victim was murdered weeks before retirement after decades of service). The people working here are good. Yes they are tired. Tired of the pay, the criminals, the just general lack of respect. The drivers and operators do a service for the community, a needed one, and should be highly praised. And highly paid. They are neither. They don't do the job for the money. No sane person would choose such a job solely on money. There's a factor of being a decent person who wants to serve the community that is needed to do such a job. So before you criticize anyone who works here (some do deserve it) remember they are understaffed, overworked, and probably had a gun pulled on them recently. So if they aren't super polite try to understand where they are coming from. In my experience they are usually very polite, but everyone has their limits. I'm riding the bus now and I'm listening to a passenger talk about how he is going to kill this woman who just got off the bus the next time he sees her. There are shootouts on the bus, kinda frequently. What did the woman do? Not sure, but the man said "she pointed at me" to someone in the phone, while he continued "I could of kill her right now and no one would do sh1t". Which is true. I think she may have asked the guy for money, as he was complaining about how it's not his responsibility to feed her 5 kids and she needs to get her own "bag". So yeah that happened right as I ended the review. I actually could of witnessed a shooting on the bus as I'm writing this review, but again, it's not the bus drivers fault they are the ones doing an underlaid, underappreciated job Update : as I got off the bus I thanked the driver (many do) and said "have a safe day" (not unusual for me) and the man who claimed to have a gun said to me "watchoo talkin bout have a safe day whatchoo mean. I'll smoke yo azz too". Yeah, it's not the workers, it's the public. I feel like 20% of the city population should just be banned from riding the bus. So the other 80% can ride in safety and without fear. Sounds rough, but so is getting spit on at 9am on a Sunday and having to continue driving the bus. Oh, and a gun pulled. It's to the point I would totally be for armed officers in all busses, but that's too expensive. read more

Metro - amazing bus driver up front, some guy behind me threatening to kill passengers as they get off the bus. It's only $1 though - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Good rides. On time, what else can you say? Maybe this thing is making me say this. I did add stuff.

I'm in a wheelchair and I use the Saint Louis metro link and the drivers drive extremely too fas. I developed neck and back pain during and after the rides and they just started going that fast because I have been using metro link for the past six years. My leg got stuck between my wheelchair and the wall one time because the driver was going so fast my chair slid into the wall when the train slowed down for a stop. I have started recording my rides and I do plan on suing for physical damages. read more

I used the metro for the whole week , day and night while visiting here. It was on time and saved me a ton on money. I went from the airport across the river into Illinois. Bring cash as their machines don't see to work with credit card. They do have people that check your pass every now and then. read more

2. No 95s ???? Wait for hour then wrong 95 shows up ,no time to ask a question,you are taking your possessions to a storage shed that you have to be there before 10pm ,what do i do with 800$ worth of clothes that were supposed to be at the storage unit before 10 pm??????. read more

The light rail has quite a bit of value. It goes straight from the airport through the park, Wash U, and downtown before crossing the river to fairly remote suburbs. It's not a streetcar; it has its own space and runs quickly and regularly. It's quite cheap, either for a ride or a day pass, and it wasn't hard to pay with credit. Of course, being aboveground raises some weather-related concerns; there are some heaters at some of the exposed areas in the stations. There are two train lines, but most of the city remains without a train; it's not an extensive network. The cars didn't have a ton of free space for luggage. The crowd is very mixed. I didn't see some of the really bad behavior that others commented on, and indeed it was the chattiest public transit I've ever been on, with a lot of people either seemingly running into acquaintances or trying to make new ones. Maybe it's a Midwestern thing; it's very rare in my experience to see anyone try to start a conversation on transit, but someone asked me about the game I was playing on my iPad, and there was a lot of other conversation going around at times. I could see people's concerns though; there wasn't a ton of security and it seemed like some more order was needed. read more

I strongly advise to NEVER use public transportation they are NEVER on time from the buses to the trains. You'll be waiting and sometimes they don't even show up and u don't get no heads up are nothing and I mean EVERYDAY. I think they should sell this company to somebody that can do better. With no explanation you'll end up on a dangerous corner for hours waiting. No updates on the app r website just rude customer service reps and unprofessional drivers . I advise you to walk , uber, catch a cab are hitch hike DONT depend on the bus read more

I have lived here since 2017 and honestly these last 3 days with these buses are just absolutely unacceptable. Metro Reps give excuses why majority of their buses are 30 mins late. I have never seen anything like this. Today we called and Mark even said that their is absolutely NO legitimately reason for why these buses are running so late and not on time. There is no mechanical issues with the buses, the buses do not have nobody on them acting a fool, the busses are not involved in any wrecks, so what the hell is going on? You all day it is because you all are short handed, but that is a lie!!!! Honestly y'all need definitely need way better leadership and management on these buses. Families, Kids, YOUNG kids below the age 10 standing waiting for their buses to come and they be standing for 30 mins or a hour and these kids have school their parents have jobs and all you all are doing is making these kids go without a bath and food before school and probably sleep. Having elder stand and wait for 30 mins to and hour, making people late for work and important doctors appointment and court hearing!!!?? Every single one of you should really be ashamed of this. People has called and texted numerous times in the last 3 days and y'all still are NOT improving... I can definitely do a way better job at making sure the buses are on time and employees are on point with their attitude, their communication skills, safety procedures etc!!!!!! Really it is a damn shame people spend their money on these buses and you all cannot even have them on time!!!! Next time y'all did to think about it like this. It is YOU AND YOUR KIDS, OR YOU AND YOU MOM OR GRANDPA OR GRANDMA and all of you are standing for an hour!!!! Waiting on a bus that is supposed to be at the stop at 6:10pm and don't show up till 7:45pm imagine your kids crying is because they're hungry and they're cold and they're tired and they want to take a back imagine your grandma or Grandpa your mama having medical issues and they can't be standing or sent for a long period of time imagine you all in this position next time the buses are late even by ten minutes. read more

This review focuses mostly on Metrolink light rail system because a bus is a bus is a bus. The St. Louis metro area has had a light rail system for slightly over 2 decades. If you are not from there, or are not familiar with the area, there is at least one thing that might cause you to take note - it crosses the Mississippi River! Come to think of it, so do the Metro system trains in the Twin Cities in order to service both Minneapolis and St. Paul. The representation of the layout encountered on brochures or on the trains is, in a way, inaccurate. The routes appear to be very linear. In reality, they are not. The rail system has 2 lines, known as the Red and the Blue lines. For a large extent of the route, they overlap and use the same right of way. It is above ground, and visible, in virtually all instances and only functions as a subway in the downtown core. It's easier to discuss what the system does on the Illinois side of the river, which also has bedroom communities for St. Louis. Both the Red and the Blue lines cross the Mississippi River into Illinois, with the only difference being that the Red line continues farther along the right of way than does the Blue line. And, again, the trajectory is not linear and seems to sweep in a southeasterly direction toward Belleville, IL and towns in that area. On the more populous Missouri side, both lines cover all the major stops in the city of St. Louis's downtown core so it doesn't matter if you use the Red or the Blue line ... but only as far inland from the river as Forest Park. That station is actually named Forest Park - De Baliviere and the announcements really botch the French pronunciation of that surname to the tune of "Da-bah-luh-vehr" or something like that. Just bad. From there, the Red line goes northwesterly to the airport and to the UMSL campus. However, from Forest Park, the Blue line continues due west toward Clayton, sort of a corporate edge city for St. Louis, and then makes a broad southwesterly sweep to the southwest suburbs. Note that, to the west of Clayton is the Richmond Heights station, from which it is only a few easy blocks to the St. Louis Galleria, a fine commercial center. For regular commuters, there are all sorts of pass combinations available and, needless to say, they work on the extensive bus network under the same purview. For tourists, a day pass is $7.50 and a weekly pass is $27. At 4 or more days, you come out ahead with the weekly pass. The rail system was really needed here because there are many area freeways with only 3 lanes in each direction, including cross-country I-70. Not only that, every key area of downtown is covered by the train system - the main downtown area, the convention center, Laclede's Landing (think Gateway Arch), the stadium, the transportation hub (train and bus stations), and restored Union Station. The ridership on the Metrolink is more animated and vocal than on the light rail trains in, say, more stoic and reserved Portland and Seattle. Now, while I may not be a contributor to the decibel level, I certainly do enjoy observing the humorous banter. And, for this, the Red line seems to be a better bet than is the Blue line. Let's just get right to it ... characters gravitate toward public transit rail ridership more than they do to buses, taxis, or even their own cars. So, take a deep breath, climb aboard, sit down, read something, listen to music, look out the window, do some people watching, and it'll all be good. Or, it should be! Because the system thoughtfully goes to or within walking distance of all the major places a resident or a visitor would need to go, Metrolink gets 4 stars from me. read more

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For just $2.50 you can take the light rail between the airport and downtown. There's no possible way you can beat that price in an Uber/Lyft or a taxi. I took the Metro several times on my recent trip, the trains were clean, and I never felt unsafe. With the exception of one guy telling a sob story and begging for money for bus fare to Texas, the passengers were all quiet and well-mannered. Try finding that in NYC, DC, or Chicago. read more

Metro - View from track level at Delmar Loop station - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

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Zero stars is not an option! The app is one thing it is still a machine! But I have asked several ppl at metro" who takes responsibility when YOUR transit system consistently leaves people stranded, incorrect times (etas and drop offs) then connecting buses are not in sync and the riders are the ones loosing out....Response: Dial tone. Just sad. read more

the metro buses especially the 49 going to the North Hanley and going to South County mall is always late or super early to the stops to when you come to the stop you're either already passed up because the bus is early or the bus is super late to where you're waiting 30 or 45 minutes for it to come this has occurred to me multiple times and these buses are unreliable for a source of transportation to the consumer most of us use the metro bus as our only way of transportation because most of us don't have a car our cars are in the shop and we're trying to get to a destination at a proper time and we make enough time to get there by riding the metro bus and picking a time to where we will make it to our destination on time or a little bit early, but when the buses are so unreliable, this cannot happen, especially people who work and if they're late, they get fired because of the bus transportation read more

So I didn't think I was going to be using public transportation, since I was visiting a friend with a car. However, he had to run some errands and I wanted to explore the city, so I told him I would just check out what this city has to offer as far as mass transit. I must admit, I like it, especially the metrolink. Coming from Houston, we have awful mass transit. Their metrolink resembles a mini version of chicago's rail system. This one is only west and east. There is a red and a blue line. It even takes you across the river. The pricing could be a bit better, they offer a one way, two way, a couple of hours, a day and a week rate. I know chicago offers a 3? and 5? day pass? It's good because especially if you're on vacation a whole week might be too much but 1 day is too little. I went with the one day pass for $7.50. The people who rode the rail was very helpful to a tourist like myself. It was on time and travels fast. read more

Hailing from Cincinnati, where light rail transit is merely a dream, I was ecstatic to discover St. Louis's MetroLink. I stayed at the Sheraton, which is conveniently located right across the street from the Civic Center Station. MetroLink was quick and efficient, and while being thoroughly used, it was never uncomfortably crowded. I opted for a day pass for $7.50, as I frequently hopped on and off exploring the city. Unlike the traditional rapid transit system, MetroLink does not have a turnstyle to check tickets, like you may find in New York City. Instead, patrons hold onto their tickets, and security guards will get on at random stops to make sure no one is hopping a free ride. Out of the dozen rides I took on MetroLink, security only boarded once. However, I did see them arresting two teenagers who were free riding. Compared to larger cities, MetroLink is a simple light rail system to use: it only has two lines. My only complaint is that I did get lost a few times because the maps at the stations were backwards: Illinois was left of Missouri. See:http://s3-media1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/t2vBZtfq4keMIn5qEu-G2g/l.jpg I have no idea why the map is printed this way in some locations, particularly since these were all at Missouri stations, not on the Illinois side. Cincinnati desperately needs a light rail system, however residents are slow to get on board. St. Louis, being a city of comparable size to Cincinnati, is a wonderful example as how light rail can help both commuters and tourists travel with ease. Notes for tourists: - Purchase a day pass for $7.50. It's good the entire date of purchase for infinite rides. - Pick up a map of the routes - Pay attention to the map at the stations, as some have Illinois on the left side of Missouri, not on the right. - If you need to transfer trains, pay attention to the color-coded destination signs located on the front and side of the train cars. This will help you know which line you are getting on. - There is also a MetroLink stop that will drop you off at Gateway Arch, and another near Citygarden. Most high-traveled areas Downtown are accessible through the Metro. read more

Metro - Backwards map. Why is Illinois is left of Missouri? - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Fantastic job of people moving after Rams/Bears game. Lots of extra staff all over. Hand validating tickets was a good move. As an outsider I'm very impressed. Metro anticipated. read more

This review is for the Metrolink train system only. Coming up on its 20th birthday, Metrolink provides a clean, safe, inexpensive and efficient way to travel around metropolitan St. Louis. During a recent visit to the city, I took six lengthy trips on Metrolink and was impressed. The Red Line to Lambert St. Louis International Airport was particularly handy. $2.25 to travel all of the way to Lambert? A virtual steal. Two thumbs up for Metrolink! read more

Metro - The Metrolink station at Delmar Loop. Security at each station makes travel that much safer and efficient. - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Slick and smooth from airport, to the Arch, to hotels, and to the ballpark. This is an easy to use system, safe, clean, and convenient from the burbs, downtown, and all around St Louis. read more

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The more comfortable I am with a city's geography, the more comfortable I am using its public transportation. And so, on my first visit back to the Lou as a non-resident, I finally got on Metrolink. This thing goes everywhere important and at $7.50 for a day pass or $2.50 for a one-way trip, you can't beat the price vs. a rental car with a stick! Sure, you might need connecting cabs here and there - but call Laclede Cab (314 652 3456) and tell them what Metrolink station you are at. Now, I say "where you are at" because technically you're not supposed to call them until you are at the station. But let my experience be your benefit: when you are two stations away from your stop, call and tell them that you are "already there" and "at the platform." Then, when you step off the train a few minutes later, you'll only wait a few more minutes for the cab instead of 10-15. Easy and cheap way for locals and visitors to get around. Oh, and clean too. read more

Extremely easy transportation. You don't need cabs in St. Louis, for the most part. A little piss smell and f-bomb-spewing rednecks are part of the deal. Just another reminder that you're using mass-transit instead of expensive auto fuel. read more

Metro - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Being dropped off in the middle of downtown St. Louis this past weekend--I wanted to get my exploration on! Oh yeah! [I love traveling, ask any of my friends] With being from Chicago, reading the downtown metro map was easy. Their trains only run in two directions. East & West. So the simple structure was easy to figure out. The St. Louis Metro was easy, clean & fast. They even have a posted schedule!?! What?!?! A train that runs on schedule? Get outta town! There were plenty of seats, and they were wider than the Chicago L train. My only complaint is the price of the Metro. I thought Chicago was expensive, but for a 2 hour ride/pass it is for $5.75! That is the same price for a Chicago ALL day pass. For the all day pass it was $7.50. Whew--pretty pricey. However, what I also liked is that you take the ticket with you, you don't put it in terminal, it is based on the "honor" system. Which is awesome, but I doubt it would fly in Chicago. When I come visit this awesome city again, I will for sure use this public transportation. Who needs a car? Not this girl! read more

Metro - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

The Metrolink is St. Louis' mass transportation system. The fare is $2 for one ride, but you can get deals such as purchasing a month ticket for $60. The Metrolink is reliable and safe, but there are some very strange people on here. Usually when I use it, there is at least one semi-crazy person who is barking about this or that, although they never seem to do anything. It will be nice when the Link is expanded to even more places, but currently is great for the downtown and surrounding areas. Try going on off hours if you can, because otherwise there will be lines. read more

Metro - From Their Website - Public Transportation Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Ahhh the MetroLink, aka the Crime Train. St. Louis' "bustling" mode of light rail transit. Fun fact: my brother had a birthday party on the newly opened Crime Train when he was like 8. We've come a long way since then. Regressed, if you will. The only reason why I'm not giving the Crime Train two stars or even one is because I haven't been robbed or beat to shit while on board. I've only been asked for money and harassed a couple of times. That's nothing. The Crime Train has plenty of positives. It runs on time. It's affordable to ride. It doesn't derail. It gets you to some of the top places you want to go in STL: Airport, Busch Stadium, and East St. Louis. Also, it is growing! We had just one route from 1993 to 2006(that was extended further into Illinois in 2003). Now it has exploded into two routes! And guess what? The city government is working on getting a third line approved!!! I'm a little worried about this third line, though. I've seen so many air travelers with luggage confusedly get on the non-airport route and head for Shrewsbury. I'm not sure this city is ready for the proposed third line just yet. The Crime Train map is an intricate web of lines that only the genius can navigate. It's one long line that splits off into a shorter line part way through. It gives me a headache just thinking about it. The big downside is clearly the troublemakers. We're not talking vandals and people not paying for tickets. I mean bad dudes that'll knock you down and out and take your money. Related: When I google search "MetroLink", I get a mix of links about LA's and STL's Metrolink. When I google search "Metrolink attack", I get nothing but STL stories. Take that, LA! As everyone else has mentioned, the simple fix is A) far more security, B) some kind of turnstile system at the stations, C) both A and B. I imagine the turnstile system is far off because most stations are out in the open at ground level. It'd be far easier to get around the turnstiles here than at the elevated/underground stations in Chicago and New York. But hey, how about some more security?? I will continue to take the Crime Train when necessary. I live in Soulard and it's nice to uber to the Busch Stadium station and ride to the airport for a total of less than $10 rather than take a $50+ cab ride. However, I won't go out of my way to ride it. I'm back in school at UMSL and we are given a free ride pass for MetroLink each year. I didn't pick mine up until a few weeks ago. I probably should have gotten it sooner but the emails I would get from the school discussing the latest attack at the UMSL station made me hesitant. read more

MetroBus cut off bus routes, more waiting time , today 8/31/22 bus 59 from Saint Louis Community College at 5.02 pm did not show up at all , called customer service , representative told me , they don't have bus driver for this route. 59 bus comes only every hour. horrible , awful service. read more

I don't understand how we're supposed to believe Metro cares for anyone but it self. CONSTANTLY, I'm late for work or stranded or have to cancel plans because Google NOR the transit app gives the right time, or even warn riders that a route's late or been canceled. Literally, up to the minute it should arrive, it shows as being on time and by the time you realize you need an alternative route, it's too late. Today's (June 18th) example: the #10 Gravois-Lindell 8:15pm didn't show at all, nor the #95 Kingshighway at 8:50pm, 9:20pm, OR 9:48pm, and that's just what I should have taken to get home. Who knows, who else got screwed because of y'all's business practices. Meanwhile ALL "route information outlets" (Google, the Transit app AND the Metro automated phone line) had these buses down as running normal. To me it's obvious you don't care about your clients enough to give an accurate and update schedule. Shame on y'all. read more

Dont even think of trying it. Me and my wife took the Metrolink.from Lambert to.civic centre with total 13 stops. I work for transit in vancouver and work at Downtown east side which im not scared. Middle of the trip around 15-18 young youths high on drugs and crack smoking inside the cabin obnoxious and vulgar. Trying to touch my wife and me and intimidating me . I saw 2 guards at every station but they dont come in coz i think they themselves are scared shit. I have never felt so scarec in my life and i expected the worst for me n the wife. Shame on the people who manage this.. i can still go on. I took uber after that but the fear is still there. Give me a first class ticket and accomodation to go back. Hell no! read more

Hmmmmm....I don't really know how I am really feeling about the Metrolink....hence the three stars...I'm just...undecided....(but I am a loyal every day rider so I'm clearly not THAT disgruntled) I mean....it's so much better than what we had here a few years ago (which was nothing) and it is probably the cleanest public transportation I have ever been on. It is pretty on time...which is excellent. You can always find a seat, also great. I love that you can take your bike on it, and there's always room to prop it up somewhere near the front of the car, and honestly, the price isn't bad ($60 for a monthly pass that you can use on the bus and the light rail...I mean, that's standard American public transportation prices...so I'll take it) Also, free parking at many of the stations....awesome.... However.....(and here comes my rant) I just don't get what Metro is doing here? I mean, there are two lines that go through, well, not the most logical parts of town. It's great that they expanded to Shrewsbury, but seriously?? Where are they planning on expanding from there exactly?? Down River Des Peres...well THAT's logical...I mean so many people live next to the sewage river...great planning Metro! I mean, while you are tearing up 40, why aren't you laying down tracks and making a line out to Chesterfield?? Wouldn't THAT eleviate that traffic problem you facing? How about instead of planning more lines to North County you shoot something out to South County (down 55 or Gravois??) or out to West County who doesn't have the public transit?? (say 44 or Manchester???) And sure, your trains run on time, but they only run every 20 MINUTES!!! I mean, come on!!!! 20 minutes to wait for a train??? I lived on arguably the worst line in Boston and I'm telling you, it was NEVER that bad...(ok it was...but not on a regular basis...at least it was scheduled to come every 7 minutes) And finally...WHAT is with your honor system??? You claim you are bankrupt...well...how about a train system that actually requires you to have a ticket instead of being the most easily snuck onto light rail in the country??? That might generate some more revenue. Long story short....it's a great effort Metro. I know you are trying and I know you are young. You have made great strides in the short time since you expanded....but my checking account can't take $4/gallon gas. Get cracking on more lines and more frequent trips, I'd even take better bus lines near parking....I think we can all see the benefit of a public transit system now...oh....and stay open past when the bars close....I beg you.... read more

I...did not like it. The Metrolink was cheap, clean, and efficient. I was able to take the train from the airport to my stop at Union Station in 20 minutes. However, some of its passengers were extremely loud and...SCARY. I did not feel safe at all on the train OR at the train stops (especially the one at Union Station). I definitely had this uneasy feeling that I was going to get robbed, and I saw no security guards at the Union Station. The worst part is, no one checked our tickets, which meant the train ran on an Honor System. This allowed a lot of people to ride the train for free, so you can get the worst of the worst bunch. The guy sitting next to me was definitely on crack. He had bloodshot eyes and fell asleep within seconds after he laughed at a raunchy joke his friends made. The whole ride to my stop, the guys acted lewd and voiced out degrading jokes about women. I was very disgusted and couldn't wait to get off my stop and get a rental car. The extra $$$ was worth it for my peace of mind. It was a terrible first experience on a public train. I have used mass transit before, but in a smaller, college city, so take my review for what you will. I would NOT advise any Washu students to take the train from airport to the university, especially if you have your luggage with you. Take the cab, or even the shuttle. You might have to pay more, but it's worth not getting robbed. If you absolutely HAVE to take the train, make sure you have a friend with you and DON'T use the train at night. read more

Okay, I'm writing from the perspective of someone who regularly frequents other "Metro" transportation, primarily Chicago and Washington D.C. (I'm only reviewing the light rail. I have never used the buses or shuttles). By those standards, Metrolink is a sad and ailing relative. I agree 100% with the comment about the "honor" system. Why not put in turnstyles and guarantee 100% payment by all riders. The first time I rode Metro trains I was not aware of the "validation" requirement. WTF? How ridiculous is this system that doesn't allow you to purchase a fare card and use it over a span of time or add value? Additionally, the 1 line (with a spur) is a joke. Metrolink would be truly useful if a train went up to Alton, down to South County Mall to Arnold, out to West County. With the ineptitude, graft and overall mismanagement by the City and Metro board, you can't expect much more than we have though, so I guess it is as good as it will ever be. It will never make a profit, so it will never expand without massive Federal investment, which would be flushing more national treasure. All you need is one visit to D.C. or the Bay Area or Boston or Chicago or even Philly and you'll see how very narrow the Metrolink has set up their routes to prohibit large-scale ridership. It really does serve only a small fraction of St Louis City or County's residents and is almost simply a way to get airport folks to the downtown or out to Scott AFB. To complete my rant, I'll add--lack of public restrooms, security bordering on stoogery and recently reduced service, causing even longer waits. No thanks...I'll drive. read more

I have to say that it is by far the cheapest way from downtown to the airport. That being said, it is understandable why it is so cheap. If I could rate my safety radar from 1 - 5, 1 being safe and 5 being on super high alert, I would rate the ride at a 4.5. The whole time I felt like someone was going to stick a gun in my face and ask for my belongings. When I got on the metrolink at the airport, a guy kept looking up and down the isle and walking in and out of the metrolink. He was not a security guard 4 sure also. Thank God he didn't stay on when it left.. Then a few stops down a bunch of shady people got on and it didn't stop there. Every stop after was even more. Mind you, there were some normal people that got one but I would say 75% is shady. Tip: When you go to the airport. Don't bring a lot of cash with you. Also if you have a cellphone or precious things, I advise you to make them hidden. read more

I rode from the airport to WashU at 3PM on Thursday and back to the airport at 4PM on Friday. The ride on Thursday felt pretty unsafe. Once you leave the airport, more and more people of the sketchy variety get on. For example, a homeless man got on and started beatboxing. He then proceeded to ask everyone on the train for money. The rail runs on the honor system, which likely adds to the number of sketchy people that get on. It was much better on Friday, and it felt safer because it was busier. Probably because people were using it to commute home after work around 4PM. Remember to watch which line you are on! I got on the blue line instead of the red line on my way back to the airport. The underground section on the blue line didn't look familiar. However, it wasn't till a nice lady who saw me with my luggage told me I was on the wrong line, that I realized my mistake. Take the red line to get to the airport!! The MetroLink also goes pretty slowly in comparison to the Houston MetroRail. It takes about 25 minutes from the airport to WashU. It costs $4 from airport to your destination. I'm not sure why they force you to buy an all day pass at the airport. It only costs $2.50 on the way back to the airport. Overall, a much cheaper option than an Uber/taxi. And it is safe during the day, even though it might not feel like it. read more

The light rail trains were clean and saved me money getting from the airport to downtown. A few things they could work on to make it a much better and less cumbersome experience: 1. Use automated announcements. Other cities do it. Half the time you cannot hear the train driver make announcements because they are tired and rattle off their script. It's like going to an amusement park ride and hearing the safety briefing muddled into a muffled microphone. Not helpful and annoying. 2. When you buy a ticket from a vending machine you must pick up the ticket and take it over to another machine to get it validated. Thankfully another passenger told me about it else I wouldn't have done it. Never have I had to do that in any other city on their public transportation. The ticket should have the time stamped on it when you originally buy the ticket. Cumbersome and not intuitive. read more

I wish all cities had a Metro. Take it from the airport. A cab from the airport to downtown for two people is $60-$70 for $3-$7 you can wait 20 minutes and take the Metro. The Metro will pretty much take you to any tourist stop, but you have to walk and wait awhile, in the end we saved a ton of cash. It was easy to understand the routes, and very affordable. I felt safe 99% of the time. The other 1% However, be careful at UNION STATION stop. We saw some shit go down there, but you probably shouldn't stop at Union Station anyways, what a disappointment. read more

When I came to St. Louis 10 years ago, I didn't use Metro much. I thought public transit was only for big cities like NYC or Chicago, and while I used transit without fail there, it didn't occur to me that St. Louis' "rinky-dink" system could get me around very well. In the last decade, I've converted and am a happy transit rider. Metro is a system of light rail, bus and Call-A-Ride. I've only used the bus and rail, and I've been quite happy with both. Metrolink light rail trains generally are clean and are almost always on time. They hit the downtown highlights very well and are great for going to the airport or commuting from Shrewsbury, Brentwood or the East Side. They also go to active, dense neighborhoods, Forest Park and many of the area's universities. Light rail is pretty to figure out, and the lines are shown at station platforms as well as in the trains themselves. Metrobus is a bit harder to figure out than the train, but it's no less useful. St. Louis buses don't always drive along a parallel route like buses in other cities do; instead, they meander within the denser parts of neighborhoods. It means more planning up front, but as a bonus, you just might see a new restaurant to try. The buses sometimes are within five minutes early or late, depending on the weather and traffic, so you must account for that when you head to a stop. To use the system, you must buy a ticket from vending machines or pay cash fare on the bus. If you haven't ridden before, t's a little confusing knowing which tickets are accepted on which method of transit (People often wonder if a Metrolink ticket can work for the bus as a transfer, and vice versa). The vending machines just got a bump in functionality, though -- credit cards now are accepted at most. No more cash! I find security at the rail platforms adequate. Security often is posted at platforms that have a lot of teens, and most platforms are guarded after dark. Visitors and residents alike complain about Metro's honor system, but it's what we've got right now. I agree that smartcards and turnstiles would be more functional, but money to do that has to come from somewhere, and Missouri as a state is among the lowest in transit funding. I disagree with other people's experiences, though, as I'm asked nearly daily to show my pass. It does depend on time of day, I think. For the uninitiated, Metro didn't decide to expand to Shrewsbury, East-West Gateway did. Metro isn't allowed to make final decisions for expansion. For my current and previous dwelling in St. Louis, I purposefully chose to live along multiple transit lines (rail plus bus) so I could drive less. I purchase a monthly pass and use transit for work, shopping, dining and sporting events. It makes me a MUCH calmer person. St. Louis County dwellers: You have a big vote coming up in April. Please support transit and vote yes for Prop A! Once the county passes this minor tax, the city's tax also will kick in, and the St. Louis region will have that much more to maintain and expand our transit options. St. Louis does need more rail and bus lines to dense neighborhoods that aren't yet represented, but that can't happen without funding. The more we fund now, the better the system will be 10 years from now and beyond. read more