News

Metro Transit Prepares for Winter Storm

Metro transit is preparing for and carefully monitoring the winter storm expected to impact the bi-state region with rain, freezing rain and accumulating ice. Metro joins the Missouri Highway Patrol in encouraging bi-state area residents to stay home or work from home on Friday, January 13, if at all possible. Those commuters who do choose to take public transit should plan ahead and allow extra time Friday and this weekend to get back and forth to work, especially during the rush hour Friday evening, all day Saturday and possibly Sunday morning. Metro riders could potentially face significant delays if the winter storm produces the forecasted ice accumulation. The safety of passengers is Metro’s top priority, and if conditions become too hazardous, Metro will modify, limit or even suspend service as a result of the winter storm.

“We expect there will be some challenges due to the ice. We are asking our customers to stay home if they can or if they are not able to do so, to anticipate and plan ahead for delays,” said Ray Friem, Executive Director of Metro Transit. “Please be patient with our operators and know that we will do everything we can to safely get you to where you need to go. MetroBus vehicles and Call‑A‑Ride vans can only travel as fast as the road conditions permit. Snow is rarely an issue for MetroLink, but accumulating ice and power outages around the region can impact MetroLink operations.”    

Delays for MetroBus and Call‑A‑Ride customers are likely. To better assist transit riders, Metro is expanding the hours for Transit Information representatives to help by phone Friday (January 13) from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Metro riders with questions about their transit trips can call them at 314-231-2345 or 618-271-2345 during those times. Metro Call‑A‑Ride customers can check on the status of their trips by calling 314-289-5230.

Metro will update customers about major service delays through the media, on Facebook at St. Louis Metro Transit, on Twitter at @STLMetro, and on Metro’s blog at metrostlouis.org. The latest Rider Alerts will be posted on Metro’s website metrostlouis.org. Passengers are encouraged to call Metro Transit Information or check these online resources for information about transit service before starting their trip.

Walking and driving could become treacherous during the winter storm. MetroLink station platforms, transit centers, bus stops and parking lots could be slick from the freezing rain and ice, so riders are asked to be extra careful. Metro crews have already pre-treated areas where feasible and will have crews dedicated to the Metro parking lots, walkways, transfer areas and platforms.

Updates on Metro operations can be found at metrostlouis.org in the Rider Alert section.

About Metro

Metro is the operator of the St. Louis region’s public transportation system, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; approximately 400 vehicle MetroBus fleet that operates on 79 MetroBus routes in Missouri and Illinois; and Metro Call‑A‑Ride, a paratransit fleet of 122 vans. Metro is an enterprise of Bi-State Development (BSD), which also owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport, the Bi-State Development Research Institute, the Gateway Arch Riverboats, and operates the Gateway Arch Trams and Revenue Collections Center. BSD also operates the St. Louis Regional Freightway.