Metro Transit is partnering with Via, a public mobility service company, to launch a new on-demand transit service for the St. Louis region. The new service, called Via Metro STL, will be introduced in two areas – in southwest St. Louis County including Fenton and Valley Park, and in North St. Louis County and rolled out on June 29th.
With Via Metro STL, transit riders in these two parts of the region will be able to hail a vehicle directly from their smartphone using the Via app, and can travel to any location within the service area during operating hours. Via Metro STL is a shared-ride service, and Via’s advanced technology matches multiple passengers headed in the same direction to provide quick and efficient shared trips.
The on-demand service will be available in the Fenton/Valley Park area seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and in North St. Louis County seven days a week from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Transit riders will be able to try Via Metro STL service for free through the end of August. After August, rides on Via Metro STL will cost $2.
Using the Via app, transit riders can book their ride by selecting pickup and drop-off locations within the service area. Once a ride is booked, riders are directed to their exact pickup spot, and they can see the real-time location of their vehicle, the driver’s name and other information to help them spot their ride.
Transit riders without a smartphone or who require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle can book their trips on VIA Metro STL by calling 636-251-3328. For more information about the new on-demand service, visit metrostlouis.org/via.
Via Metro STL is a 12-month pilot program to explore on-demand transportation options as part of Metro Transit’s services. The Via app is available for download on iOS and Android devices.