News

MetroLink Reaches a Major Milestone and Call-A-Ride Operator Recognized for Heroism

ST. LOUIS: Two special achievements will be recognized during the Bi-State Development Agency (BSDA) Board of Commissioners meeting on Friday, November 21 at 8:00 a.m. in the Board Room of Metro Headquarters located at 707 North First Street in St. Louis. The Commissioners, along with President and CEO John Nations and Chief Operating Officer for Transit Services Ray Friem, will celebrate the MetroLink fleet reaching 100 million miles traveled. Metro Call‑A‑Ride operator Lamont Moore, who helped rescue two people from an apartment fire in October, also will be recognized for his heroism.

MetroLink Milestone

MetroLink opened for service on July 31, 1993, and now 21 years later, it has surpassed the 100 million mile mark on its fleet. The light-rail system has grown from 16 stations and 13.9 miles of track to 37 stations and 46 miles of track spanning the bi-state region. MetroLink boards passengers nearly 54,000 times each weekday, and recorded more than 17 million boardings during the last fiscal year.

“To be able to reach 100 million miles is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees who helped us open MetroLink in 1993, and of those who have kept it running smoothly for more than two decades,” said Friem. “And I’m happy to say, we’re still going strong and are on track to reach 200 million miles in 2030.”

Life-Saving Operator

On October 26, 2014, Metro Call‑A‑Ride operator Lamont Moore helped rescue a woman and a toddler trapped in an apartment fire on Hodiamont Avenue. During his lunch break, Lamont saw smoke in the distance. When he investigated, he found an apartment building on fire. He helped rescue one of the adults trapped in the apartment and then caught a young child who was dropped out of a second-story window to escape the flames.

About Bi-State Development Agency

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; 379 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.