NextStop Blog
MetroLink and MetroBus Schedule Changes Begin August 22
Return to BlogUpdated to reflect additional trips on the #57X Clayton Road Express and NOT modifying the #33 Dorsett-Lackland MetroBus route.
New schedules will go into effect on August 22 for MetroLink trains and for 59 MetroBus routes as part of Metro’s quarterly transit service change.
These scheduling changes will improve connections for passengers who transfer between Red Line and Blue Line trains at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Station. MetroLink schedules were last adjusted in 2012 to accommodate work on the historic Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River.
Link: Details about August 22 service change, including new schedules and maps.
Major rehabilitation work has been completed on the bridge superstructure and the new light rail deck. Both the eastbound and westbound MetroLink tracks on the Eads Bridge were reopened for normal service earlier this summer. Eastbound and westbound trains shared the same track during the four-year bridge project so MetroLink could continue to operate across the Mississippi River while the massive rehabilitation project was underway.
To ensure MetroBus maintains timely and efficient connections with MetroLink and the new train schedules, nearly all MetroBus routes in Missouri will have minor schedule changes on August 22. In addition, five MetroBus routes will experience minor routing changes. Metro transit riders can check online to find updated schedule and route information. They can also call Metro Customer Service at 314-982-1406 or 618-271-7879, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The quarterly service changes are part of Metro’s commitment to build a better transit experience for its riders. Metro constantly monitors and reviews feedback from passengers and operators, and every quarter, Metro uses this feedback and other data to improve MetroLink connections and MetroBus route performance.
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I was really disappointed to hear this morning–along with a busload of other disappointed commuters–that the 57X route is being slashed. I had already given up my parking pass at Wash U but may have to go back to driving because of this.
Andrew, we’re working to make some adjustments to this route schedule for August 22. I would like to know the specifics of your scheduling needs so we may reflect your feedback in any changes made. Please reach out to me at your convenience so we may include your input in any changes — [email protected].
Andrew, I wanted to let you know that due to customer feedback like yours, we’ve gone ahead and added additional eastbound morning trips, and will now operate trips from Ozark Trail & Clayton to Central West End beginning at 4:43 a.m.; 5:10 a.m.; 5:37 a.m.; 6:15 a.m.; 6:37 a.m.; 7 a.m.; and 7:40 a.m. We have also included an additional westbound evening trip departing Brentwood I-64 MetroLink Station at 6:33 p.m.
My general take on some feedback is that changes are being made without a public comment session. I have seen complaints about the 33 and understand Metro’s reasoning but at the same time, I have seen most other transit systems give advance notice of proposed changes prior to implementing to understand public feedback. I also understand there is some level of legal requirement for this as well. Last service change, the 99 Downtown Trolley was changed significantly with no comment session. I strongly urge Metro to have public comment sessions prior to changes other than if changes are for less than 6 minutes or 0.2 miles.
Shannon, generally, we do not host public comment sessions before our four Quarterly Service Changes each year. For the most part, public comment sessions are scheduled in anticipation of large-scale projects such as the North County Transit Center and the expansion project near the Civic Center MetroLink Station. That being said, you’re more than welcome to email us at [email protected] or give us a call (314-982-1406 | 618-271-7879). The feedback we receive via Customer Service is among the many factors that go into each service change. Notification of a Quarterly Service Change occurs about two weeks prior to implementation. Thank you Shannon for providing your thoughts.
u make major changes to the metrolin and all the buses but u cant find a new schedule and its only a week away? this is at the metro store in downtown st Louis that has no new schedule she said at least until Friday. and the train was early today on Monday aug 15th so what is up with this?
Shelia, we’ve been producing new schedules for MetroLink and MetroBus and their delivery to every MetroBus and the MetroStore may differ. I’d recommend downloading and/or printing out the schedules you need online until a physical copy becomes available. You can do so by visiting the Service Updates page, here: https://www.metrostlouis.org/PlanYourTrip/ServiceUpdates.aspx
I will say that I was at the Metro Store recently and they are out of a lot of the old schedules and I think some they had up are not even the latest schedule! I would expect all routes to be available at the Metro Store and there should be a rack at the North County Transit Center. STL Metro is stingy on paper schedules, I don’t see this changing anytime based on me bringing the issue up in the past.
Shannon, to receive the latest MetroBus schedule we recommend that you visit Metro’s website and download the schedule you need. If you need the most recent hard copy schedule, go ahead and give us a call and we’ll mail one to you – call us at 314-982-1406 or 618-271-7879.
I was excited when I saw the announcement that MetroLink schedules would line up better at Forest Park. That way, I could ride the blue line there, then take the red line to Delmar to get on the 91 bus every morning.
But then I looked at the schedule.
Blue line arrives at Forest Park at 5:50. Red line departs at 5:48. Next red line doesn’t arrive at Delmar until 6:06, just 1 minute after the 91 leaves.
Guess I’ll have to continue getting off at Skinker and running to Delmar.
Kevin, in the upcoming service change on Monday, we tried to maintain the existing rush hour MetroLink service as much as possible since these trips are tied to shift times. In your case, this did not work for your particular commute. I’ve gone ahead and sent this to our Planning Department. Your feedback, as well as other factors, will be filed and may be addressed in the next Quarterly Service Change in November. In the meantime, you’re more than welcome to reach out to us at 314-982-1406 or 618-271-7879.
is the 98 still going to come to the hanley stration. and is the 37 bus schedule still going to be the same or is it changing again. and The 91 also.
Lauren, the #98 Ballas-North Hanley will still serve the North Hanley MetroLink Station; however the bus will enter differently into the station using Metro Transit Way and park next to the MetroLink platform. As for the the #37 Hanley-Graham, there will be modifications to its schedule as will be the case for the #91 Olive. For more specifics regarding the #98, #37 and #91, visit the Service Updates page on our website: https://www.metrostlouis.org/PlanYourTrip/ServiceUpdates.aspx
I am still puzzled how a bus goes and does not return.
Betty, are you referring to a particular MetroBus route? Feel free to leave a follow-up comment here, or send us an email at [email protected], and we’ll try to clear up any confusion.
I’m somewhat disappointed that the rush hour train out of Clayton is still at 5:01. Even a one or two minute push to 5:02 or 5:03 would have let me get to the train station from my desk in the government center. I know it’s somewhat ridiculous to ask for a change to a multi-state system just to accommodate me, but it would be nice to not have to wait for the next train. Is this a possibility in the future? It would help me get to my classes at UM-St Louis at 5:30 if it could be managed.
Tim, the beauty of our transit system is that we can tinker with schedules to improve efficiency. That being said, MetroLink schedules are harder to modify than MetroBus schedules. What I’ll do is forward your information to our transit planners. There is a possibility that they may be able to adjust the schedule in time for the next quarterly service change.
I do appreciate that the Metrolink is harder to change than the buses. I thank you for bringing it to the planner’s attention. 🙂
One Question.
Why did you change the connection at Forest Park Station to whereas the Blue and Red line timely connection service there. (a.k. Blue Line to Fairview meets the Red Line to Lambert).. Now the Red and Blue lines arrive at Forest Park together. Does not make any type of rationale sense. The old scheduled allowed timely transfer between trains by allowing the Red and Blue lines to arrive together in opposite directions. Now since your fix Red and Blue Line trains arrive in both directions (same train). Now you have to wait 10 minutes to make connections. Moving Metro Forward, I think NOT. I am totally unimpressed, but very much so interested in the reasoning and whether or not Metro intends to correct this problem. You need a citizen review board desperately these type of mistakes seem to be the norm for Metro.
Thank you, hope you are listening.
Thank you.
Kelly, thank you for reaching out to us about the August 22 Metro Quarterly Service Change. We understand the modification to the MetroLink schedule won’t please everyone, but we try our best to make the system as efficient as possible. There are a lot of variables that go into creating an efficient schedule (i.e. MetroLink transfers, MetroBus transfers), but you also have to realize that parts of our MetroLink system are nearing 23 years of age and that requires ongoing maintenance. To make sure this regional investment stays in tip-top shape, the present schedule also accommodates single track operations that we plan to operate due to construction activity (i.e. the construction of a new MetroLink Station near Boyle Avenue, extending the Central West End MetroLink platform and maintenance activity in the University City-Big Bend tunnel). This schedule will also us to do this necessary work. That being said, the beauty of our system is that some things can be modified and adopted to meet the needs of the region. While we do not have a citizens review board at this time, we urge passengers to email us ([email protected]) or call us (314-982-1406 | 618-271-7879) with service suggestions. These suggestions, along with other supporting data, go into crafting future service changes. Thanks again Kelly for your feedback.
Thanks for your prompt response. However, your reply does not address the specific issue. The connection at Forest Park (Eastbound to Westbound connections). Although I am well aware that the system require maintenance (and Metrolink does a great job of that), what does that have to due with the connection? As I said before a Citizens Review Board is necessary, I don’t think we (the patrons) and Metro are on the same page (right hand unaware of what the left hand is doing), and from your current scheduling it would appear to be obvious. You have just added 10 minutes transfer times to passengers (approximately 15% of patronage) transferring at the Forest Park Station and from your reply is “reasoning is maintenance and modifications”. With that said, you mentioned modification to the Central West End Station, adding a new station on Boyle, could you please provide more details about these changes, such as architects drawing of these changes (not unclear sketches such as the ones you provide for the Civic Central Station). Surely the builders have renderings on what they are building and as customers why can’t we see those rather than sketches that show no dimensions or specific details. Take a look at some of the other transit systems future renderings (such as CTA, MARTA, BART, etc,). We await your response, thank you.
Kelly, here’s what I can tell you. At this time, it is unlikely we will modify MetroLink schedules. With the present trip times, there is a three minute window at Forest Park to transfer between a Blue Line trip and the westbound Red Line trip. We have no plans at this time to enact a Citizens Review Board. Instead, we welcome all feedback and use all of our communication outlets (as well as ridership trends and related data) to gauge public demand and feedback. As far as specifics regarding the new MetroLink station near Boyle Avenue, that project is currently in the design phase. Since it’s in the design phase, we do not have renderings nor do we have dimensions to provide at this time. Once renderings and more detailed information become available, we’ll make sure to share on the blog.
Understood.
However, your statement about a three minute interval was true prior to March 22. Today you are in error, unless the Metrolink has changed scheduling since yesterday. Red . Line trains arrive eastbound and westbound at the same time at Forest Park (transfer point), as do the Blue line. Therefore, passengers have to wait ten minutes to make a connection to the other line. I was there four times this week at different times making the connection same scenario each time. Maybe someone from Metro should go and see for themselves it’s apparent that no one has.
Please review! ! !
Kelly, we appreciate your feedback and have informed our planning department of your suggestions.
Greatly appreciated.