News
Formal Public Hearing To Be Held for Proposed Metro Fare Increase
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro will hold a public hearing Tuesday, April 1, about the proposed fare increase that would go into effect in July 2014. In addition, the agency is sharing details about how the public can participate online and provide feedback about this important topic.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. –Formal presentation at 6 p.m.
Metro Headquarters
Board Room
707 North First Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
The general public is invited to attend this hearing to learn more about three fare increase options under consideration and to provide feedback. Metro staff will be available to discuss the fare increase options. The public hearing will include a formal presentation that will begin at 6 p.m., with the remaining time available for public comment. Residents who are not able to attend the public hearing are urged to participant by taking part in an online survey this week at www.metrostlouis.org/FaresPasses/FareIncrease2014.aspx
They may also comment on the proposed fare increase options by calling 314-982-1422, by email to FareIncrease2014@metrostlouis.org, or by mail to:
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro
Attn: Planning – Fare Increase 2014
707 North 1st Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014.
A fare increase is necessary to meet Metro transit’s fiscal year 2015 budgeted goal of a five percent increase in passenger revenue. All of these options would generate an additional $2.25 million in annual revenue. Based on public feedback, Metro will adopt one of the fare increase options or a modified version of the three options.
Option 1 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25); weekly pass from $25 to $26 (+$1); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $165 (+$15).
Option 2 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25): weekly pass from $25 to $27 (+$2); monthly pass from $72 to $78 (+$6) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
Option 3 would not change the MetroLink one-ride fare; weekly pass from $25 to $28 (+$3); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
The agency held three public meetings last week and spoke one-on-one with customers and received their feedback regarding the three fare increase options. The meetings were held in St. Louis, East St. Louis and St. Louis County.
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro’s fiscal year 2015 operating budget is 3.6 % higher than it was in 2014 because of increases in the price of services and products like diesel fuel. All of Metro transit’s revenue sources, including local sales taxes and passenger revenue, must grow to continue to sustain the current service level.
Regular and modest fare increases are important to the long-term health of the transit system. Fare increases of about five percent approximately every two years are essential to continue the implementation of Moving Transit Forward, the region’s long-range plan for transit service operations, enhancement and capital investment.
The Bi-State Development Agency/Metro (BSDA/Metro) is the operator of the Metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; 372 MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 75 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call‑A‑Ride, a paratransit fleet of 120 vans. BSDA/Metro also owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport and its surrounding industrial business park, and the Gateway Arch Riverboats, as well as operates the Gateway Arch Revenue Collections Center, the Gateway Arch Transportation System, and the Gateway Arch Parking Facility.