NextStop Blog

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A Metro transit fare increase approved last month by the Bi-State Development Agency Board of Commissioners will go into effect on July 1, which is the beginning of the agency’s new fiscal year.

The cost of a MetroLink one-ride trip, as well as the weekly, monthly, and university semester passes will change. The cost of the one-ride MetroLink fare will increase from $2.25 to $2.50–making it $5 for a round trip. Weekly passes will increase from $25 to $27; monthly passes from $72 to $78; and the semester transit pass will go from $150 to $175. Reduced fare prices for these tickets and passes will increase as well. (See fare chart.)

The fare increase will not impact the $2 base MetroBus fare or the 2-Hour Pass/Transfer which will remain at $3. Also, there will no change in the price of a $7.50 Day Pass or the $4 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.

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 operating needs.