News
Metro Transit Fare Increase to be Implemented on July 1
The Bi-State Development Agency Board of Commissioners this morning authorized a Metro transit fare increase that will go into effect on July 1, 2014, the beginning of the new fiscal year. Metro invited the public to provide feedback online, by phone, by email, by U.S. Mail, or by attending one of three meetings in March and a public hearing in April to learn more about three fare increase options under consideration.
The option most favored by the public was Option 2 which will raise the prices of the MetroLink one-ride fare, as well as the weekly, monthly, and university semester passes. The cost of the one-ride MetroLink fare will increase from $2.25 to $2.50. Weekly passes will increase from $25 to $27; monthly passes from $72 to $78; and the semester pass will go from $150 to $175.
The fare increase will not impact the $2 base MetroBus fare and the 2-Hour Pass/Transfer will remain at $3.00. The cost of the $7.50 Day Pass will not change nor will the current $4.00 Metro Call-A-Ride fare.
Passenger revenue is a critical source of funding for the Metro transit system and supports 22% of the cost to provide transit service. The remaining 78% is paid by the taxpayer. Higher costs for fuel, vehicle parts, and medical benefit expenses continue to add to the cost of operating the Metro Transit system.
“The fare increase will generate approximately $2.25 million dollars in passenger revenue for Fiscal Year 2015, which is money essential to sustain current transit operations,” said John Nations, Bi-State Development Agency President & CEO.
Periodic fare increases were included as a key component of the region’s long range transit plan, Moving Transit Forward. That plan calls for raising fares by a small percentage approximately every two years to address the transit system’s growing capital and operating needs.
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; 375 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.
