Learn more on Metro’s website here.

Beginning July 6, riders at 13 MetroLink stations across Missouri and Illinois can expect to independently access platforms using the new fare collection technology and automated security gates. Riders will be able to purchase and manage their fares through both the Metro RideOn! and Transit apps and will be able to scan their mobile device OR fare media at validators by the platform gates.

Once all three phases are complete (expected August 17), riders throughout the MetroLink system can expect a variety of improvements, including:

• Automated security gates controlling platform access
• New fare validators throughout MetroLink stations
• Modernized Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs)
• Mobile-first fare purchasing through RideOn! and Transit apps
• Updated station signage and customer information resources
• Enhanced security infrastructure designed to improve the overall rider experience

Metro Transit plans to staff newly activated stations with Metro Transit ambassadors, Customer Engagement personnel, and security officers to assist riders with questions, fare purchasing, access to gates, mobile applications, and more.

To learn more about the new fare collection system and Secure Platform Plan, including a short instructional video demonstrating how to purchase fare and access MetroLink platforms, visit www.metrostlouis.org/nextgenfare/.

Have questions about the new fare system and Secure Platform Plan?  Join Citizens for Modern Transit for its next Candid Conversation with Commuters on Monday, June 29 at 12:00 pm.  Hear the latest updates directly from Metro Staff, learn what riders can expect during the rollout, and get your questions answered.  Registration is free and open to the public.  Register today: https://cmt-stl.org/cmt-to-host-candid-conversation-with-commuters-on-june-29/

Questions can also be submitted to CMT at info@cmt-stl.org.

Metro Transit’s Secure Platform Plan enhancements are nearing completion at all 38 transit stations, and the agency is preparing to roll out a new fare collection system. To support this next phase, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is offering transit riders and other stakeholders an opportunity  to ask questions about security gating, fencing, surveillance cameras and the fare technology timeline tied to the $62 million, multi-tiered strategy to create a more secure transit environment. The virtual “Candid Conversation with Commuters” forum is set for Monday, June 29, 2026, at noon via Zoom. It is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be completed here.

The discussion will feature Ron Forrest, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Metro Transit; Kevin Scott, executive vice president of public affairs and security at Metro Transit; and Tom Curran, executive vice president of administration at Bi-State Development. The conversation will be moderated by Kimberly Cella, CEO of Citizens for Modern Transit.

Those interested in submitting a question in advance of the forum can do so via Citizens for Modern Transit’s social media channels or by emailing the transit advocacy organization directly at info@cmt-stl.org. Questions will also be taken through the “chat” feature on Zoom during the forum.

“This virtual forum provides a platform for transit riders and other stakeholders to engage directly with local transit officials, ask questions and address any concerns,” said Cella. “It also helps ensure the public knows how to access updates, educational videos and other key information related to the project.”

CMT’s “Candid Conversation with Commuters,” targeting the general public, is a spin-off of its quarterly “Talking Transit” events designed to keep members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others in the loop on issues and efforts influencing the local transit system. These educational gatherings feature guest speakers and panel discussions that address a wide range of topics, including transit-oriented development, safety and security, best practices, service changes and more.

The June Service Change includes minor changes to weekday and/or weekend schedules for the MetroBus routes listed below. New schedules are available on the Upcoming Schedule Changes page of the Metro Transit website at MetroStLouis.org/ServiceChange.

Transit riders who have questions or need assistance are encouraged to contact Metro Transit Information at 314.231.2345 (phone) or 314.207.9786 (text), available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, June 15 | Affected MetroBus Routes

MISSOURI

• #8 Shaw-Cherokee
• #18 Taylor
• #33 Midland
• #35 Rock Road
• #42 Sarah
• #49 Lindbergh
• #58 Chesterfield Valley
• #73 Carondelet
• #77 Village Square
• #78 Bellefontaine
• #91 Olive
• #95 Kingshighway
• #98 Ballas-North Hanley

ILLINOIS

• #1 Main Street-State Street
• #3 Sauget-Water Street
• #12 O’Fallon-Fairview Heights
• #14 Memorial Hospital-Westfield Plaza
• #15 Belleville-O’Fallon

Visit AARP’s website here for a breakdown of the survey data and methodology.

Come celebrate the opening of the 3.7-mile extension of the MetroBikeLink Trail from the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. There will be formal remarks followed by a ribbon cutting and an inaugural ride along the new bike pathway, which features scenic views, rolling inclines and no stops, making it ideal for cyclists looking to build speed and endurance. The MetroBikeLink Trail is the spine of the MetroBikeLink System—consisting of 39 miles of interconnecting trails throughout St. Clair County. It runs adjacent to the MetroLink alignment for 18.3 miles between the Fairview Heights Transit Center to close to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, providing direct access to seven MetroLink Stations across five different communities. Together, these connections offer seamless integration of biking and transit use via the MetroLink and MetroBus, as well as microtransit options like the SCCTD Flyer.

MetroBikeLink Trail Extension Ribbon Cutting and Inaugural Bike Ride Event Details

Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m.

Shiloh-Scott Transit Center, located at 880 Metro Plaza Lane, Shiloh, IL 62221

Learn more about SCCTD’s MetroBikeLink system here.

“With trails and transit so well connected throughout the region, there’s never been a better time to get out and explore,” said Kimberly Cella, CEO of CMT. “This summerlong initiative makes it simple, affordable and fun for residents to leave the car behind and mix up how they move. Our hope is if St. Louisans try it for fun and see the benefits, they may be willing to try for more trips, including work.”

Great Rivers Greenway has 140 miles of greenways across the St. Louis region, including the St. Vincent, Brickline and River des Peres greenways, which connect to the UMSL North, Rock Road, Wellston, Grand Cortex and Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 Transit Centers. St. Clair County Transit District’s MetroBikeLink System consists of more than 39 miles of interconnecting trails and bike paths in St. Clair County, Ill. The main artery of the MetroBikeLink System is a trail running adjacent to the MetroLink alignment. It begins at the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center and extends 14 miles, connecting the College, Belleville, Swansea, Memorial Hospital and Fairview Heights Transit Centers. A seventh station will soon be added, as a 4.3-mile trail nears completion as part of the MetroLink expansion to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Madison County Transit has 138 miles of scenic interconnected trails in Madison County, Ill., connected to the Madison County Transit fixed-route bus service.

“There are so many great ways to get around the St. Louis region, from greenways and trails to public transit, and we’re excited to encourage community members to get outside and try a new way of getting to their favorite destinations,” said Claire Mueller, communications manager for Great Rivers Greenway.

Visit www.MixUpHowYouMove.com through August 31 to register for a FREE Metro Transit Day Pass and gain access to trail maps.

About St. Clair County Transit District
The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) was founded in 1981 and contracts with Bi-State Development to provide public transportation services in St. Clair County, Ill., by way of 11 MetroLink stations and 14 MetroBus routes and with Southwestern Illinois College to offer paratransit services as well as on-demand, micro transit via the SCCTD Flyer in seven communities. SCCTD has also established and maintains the ever-evolving MetroBikeLink System of interconnecting trails and bike paths that seamlessly connect to six Metro Transit Centers – linking individuals to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, trails and other destinations throughout the bi-state region. To learn more, visit www.SCCTD.org or follow the District on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn. 

About Great Rivers Greenway

Great Rivers Greenway makes the St. Louis region a more vibrant place to live, work and play by developing a network of greenway paths with partners and communities. We are a public agency, created by a vote of the people in 2000 to connect St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County with greenways, enhancing healthy habitats and watersheds along the way. Whether you walk, run, ride a bike, roll a wheelchair or push a stroller, there are 140 miles of greenways and counting for you to explore and enjoy! GreatRiversGreenway.org

About Madison County Transit

Madison County Transit (MCT) provides fixed-route bus, paratransit, microtransit, rideshare and trail services throughout Madison County, IL. The MCT fixed-route bus system connects residents to jobs, education, healthcare, shopping, entertainment and regional transit connections, while the MCT Trails system features 138 miles of scenic Class I bikeways that serve as both a recreational amenity and an active transportation network. MCT also operates the Runabout paratransit service, MCT Micro on-demand service and RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s rideshare program. To learn more, visit www.MCT.org or follow Madison County Transit on Facebook.

A transit stop can serve as a transformational tool to reconnect a community, promote social equality, increase accessibility, position an area for growth, activate and beautify the public space, and enhance neighborhood safety.  CMT, SCCTD and AARP in St. Louis hope to initiate this project by July 1, 2026.

The project seeks qualifications for designers, architects, artists, and inter-disciplinary teams to engage and work collaboratively with the stakeholders around the stop.

Memorial Hospital Transit Transformation RFP

As the St. Louis region explores Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the Northside-Southside corridor, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), in partnership with St. Louis REALTORS® and AARP St. Louis, commissioned a study on transit’s impact on local real estate values. Findings from the Saint Louis Housing Prices Near Transit Study were shared during CMT’s virtual “Talking Transit” event on May 20, drawing dozens of transit advocates, elected officials, real estate professionals, stakeholders and riders interested in how transit access affects property values — and what it could mean for a large-scale BRT investment.

Those in attendance heard from representatives of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, who outlined the methodology and key conclusions of the research examining the relationship between home prices and transit service frequency.  The recording of the discussion can be viewed below or on CMT’s YouTube Channel.

The findings showed that residential properties near higher frequency transit routes in the City of St. Louis experienced significantly stronger price appreciation than those located near less frequent service. Across the city, median home sale prices increased 50% over the six years between 2012 and 2018 and 65% over the 12 years between 2012 and 2024, with the highest gains occurring near the most frequent transit routes. Homes near the city’s most frequent bus route saw price increases of 144% over six years and 167% over 12 years, far outpacing gains for homes located farther from high-frequency service. Properties located near routes with 21–30-minute service experienced stronger appreciation than those near routes with longer wait times, reinforcing the importance of reliable, frequent transit. Overall, the data shows that transit—particularly high-frequency service — and investment in transit function as a valuable neighborhood amenity and contributes to increased property values.

The study also draws on national BRT case studies, which show similar trends in cities across the country, where properties located near BRT routes consistently outperform those farther from transit access.

Following the presentation, representatives from the Center for Neighborhood Technology, St. Louis REALTORS® and the City of St. Louis shared perspectives on how transit-oriented development and future investments could further enhance property values and economic vitality across the region. The session concluded with a Q&A discussion with attendees.

“Public transit delivers value far beyond the ride,” said Kimberly Cella, CEO of CMT. “It plays a meaningful role in strengthening neighborhoods and supporting long-term economic growth. These findings underscore the opportunity to leverage high-frequency transit investments, including potential Bus Rapid Transit, to drive positive change in St. Louis communities.”

Chief Advocacy Officer and Director of Commercial Services for St. Louis REALTORS® Charlie Hinderliter added, “For REALTORS®, this study reinforces something we increasingly see in today’s marketplace: people value connectivity, convenience and access. High-frequency transit is more than a transportation asset — it is an economic development tool that can strengthen neighborhoods, support housing demand, drive long-term property value growth and help create stronger, more connected communities. If St. Louis wants to compete for residents, talent and investment, we have to think about how transportation, housing and economic development work together.”

CMT hosts quarterly “Talking Transit” events to keep members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others in the loop on issues and efforts influencing the local transit system. These educational gatherings feature guest speakers and panel discussions addressing a wide range of topics, including transit-oriented development, safety and security, best practices, service changes and more.

Goal is to Help Build Better Bus Stops Through the Addition of a Basic Amenity – a Bench

An idea to improve the rider experience at bus stops without seating—often referred to as “forgotten stops”—has quickly become a transformative regional initiative. In just over a year, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) and AARP in St. Louis, together with Metro Transit, St. Clair County Transit District and local government officials, have installed 11 bus benches across the bi-state area, including two unveiled in the City of Maplewood during a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 19. This includes a bench at MetroBus Stop #1850, located at 7170 Manchester Road, and another across the street at MetroBus Stop #1980, located at 7169 Manchester Road.

Project partners and the Mayor of Maplewood Barry Greenberg made formal remarks before the official ribbon cutting took place at 3 p.m. These MetroBus stops now boast a red, all-weather, 6-foot-long bench featuring the slogan “Enjoy the Ride.” Each has a customized sponsor plaque and QR code inviting riders to share how the bench has impacted their transit experience.

This feedback loop, along with narratives collected at these MetroBus stops by program ambassadors, fosters ongoing engagement and helps measure the program’s impact in real time—telling the story of the bench. Rider feedback indicates that the benches are helping ease physical and mental stress after a long day at work or school, when carrying groceries or dealing with mobility challenges or health conditions. The Maplewood bench installations were funded by Citizens for Modern Transit and AARP in St. Louis and installed by the City of Maplewood.

“Public transit connects people to jobs, services, businesses and each other,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Something as simple as a bench can make a meaningful difference for riders, and we are proud to partner with Citizens for Modern Transit and AARP in St. Louis to make Maplewood more accessible, welcoming, and connected.”

To date, benches have been installed at MetroBus Stops #11223 and #11303 along North Illinois Street in Swansea; MetroBus Stop #926 at 4402 Natural Bridge Road and MetroBus Stop #4134 at 1100 S. Grand Avenue in the City of St. Louis; MetroBus Stop #5609 at the southwest corner of South Lindbergh Blvd. and Baptist Church Road in St. Louis County; MetroBus Stop #12961 at 505 S. 8^th Street near the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center in East St. Louis; MetroBus Stop #12985 at 1110 Camp Jackson Road near McDonald’s in Cahokia Heights; MetroBus Stop #15715, located one block from the Belleville Town Square at on Scheel Street near the intersection of N Douglas Avene; and MetroBus Stop #12170, located in the Hexenbukel Neighborhood on Scheel Street.

“This program exemplifies how small, thoughtful interventions can yield profound impacts, making transit stops more than just pass-through points by becoming places of rest, connection and community,” stated Kimberly Cella, CEO of CMT. “It has been among our most impactful programs, and we will be moving full steam ahead.”

These installs have prompted $50,000 in additional enhancements at transit stops and served as a catalyst for continued growth, with six additional bench projects currently in the works. The City of Maplewood plans to install another bench in the near future and add a shelter to MetroBus Stop #1980, located at 7169 Manchester Road.

CMT and AARP in St. Louis are actively seeking additional partners— including businesses, organizations, municipalities, community groups and individuals—willing to support the installation of The Story of a Bench program at bus stops community wide. An investment of between $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the selected location, is needed per bus stop to cover the cost of each bench installation. Sponsor recognition is included on a commemorative plaque at each location.

“The Story of a Bench program grew out of our larger scale Transit Stop Transformation projects,” added Cella. “The MetroBus Stop at the southwest corner of Manchester Road and Marshall Avenue in Maplewood was the site of our very first comprehensive transformation. Partners are grateful to the City of Maplewood for its commitment to public transit.”