Bi-State Development announced significant November 2021 service changes during their Operations Committee meeting held virtually on Friday, October 15, 2021. These changes come as a response to Metro’s operator shortage. Metro sited measures that are currently in place to mitigate issues caused by the shortage including assistance of operators volunteering to work additional hours and assigning managers to drive whenever possible. Metro will reduce service hours by approximately 10% in November and a roughly 15% decrease since June 2021. Metro aims to increase service hours again as soon as operator availability permits. MetroBus service in St. Clair County, IL will remain stable in November 2021.
In addition to reducing fixed route service hours, Metro plans to expand the Via Metro STL Program to fill gaps where bus reductions have occurred and offset the immense demand for Call-A-Ride. In late October, Metro will begin a customer outreach campaign to inform customers about the November 29 service change, and ensure they are aware of alternatives including Via and Lyft.
Metro plans to temporarily suspend six routes, while reducing either frequency or span of service on another 21 routes. Further details on these temporary service reductions are as follows:
- 14 Local routes will adjust weekday daytime service from 30-minute to either 40- or 60-minute frequency
- 4 Frequent routes will adjust weekday daytime service (3 routes moving from 15-minute to 20- minute frequency, and one route moving from 20- to 30-minute frequency)
- 2 routes will have evening service reduced from 30- to 60-minutes
- 4 routes will shorten the evening span of service due to low nighttime demand; 3 of those routes, located in North County, have a replacement microtransit service after 8PM
- 6 routes temporarily suspended
- Includes all 4 Express routes
- Includes 2 local routes in South and West County — #46-Tesson Ferry and #65-Outer Forties – which will be fully covered by microtransit service
Via Metro STL pilot expansion details are as follows:
- A third “West Zone” will be established in November, to cover employment and healthcare destinations along Outer Forty Road (such as medical facilities and senior/assisted living centers).
- The current South Zone will expand north to Manchester Road, so that the Via service area encompasses some common Call-A-Ride booking request locations.
Find the most up-to-date information regarding this service change on Metro Transit’s website. New schedules and route maps for the affected MetroBus routes will be available on Metro’s Upcoming Schedule Change page and in the Transit app beginning Monday, November 15.
Details for November 29 Service Change
Temporarily Suspended MetroBus Routes
- #46 Tesson Ferry
- #65 Outer Forty
- #57X Clayton Road
- #58X Twin Oaks Express
- #73X I-55 Express
- #410X Eureka Express
Service on these routes will be temporarily suspended beginning on November 29. Via Metro STL will be available for riders of the #46 Tesson Ferry and riders who use the #65 Outer Forty west of I-270, and it may be an option for express route riders. Via Metro STL is an on-demand transit service that allows you to hail a ride using the Via app – no schedules or advance booking required. With Via Metro STL, riders can travel between any two locations in the service zone for $2, or with a valid Metro Transit pass, can transfer from MetroBus or MetroLink to Via Metro STL for free.
MetroBus Service Ending at 8 p.m.
- #60 Shepley-Lilac
- #78 Bellefontaine
- #79 Ferguson
Evening service in North St. Louis County will be available through Via Metro STL from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week.
Service Frequency Adjustments
- #4 Natural Bridge
- #10 Gravois-Lindell
- #32 Dr. ML King
- #35 Rock Road
- #40 N. Broadway
- #41 Lee
- #49 Lindbergh
- #57 Manchester
- #60 Shepley-Lilac
- #61 Chambers Rd.
- #64 Lucas-Hunt
- #73 Carondelet
- #76 McDonnell-Waterford
- #77 Village Square
- #78 Bellefontaine
- #91 Olive
- #94 Page
- #97 Delmar
- #98 Ballas-North Hanley
- #174X Halls Ferry Express
The November 29 Service Change also includes adjustments for other Missouri MetroBus routes.
What can I do if my bus is canceled?
- If a rider has a wait of 30 minutes or more due to a bus not showing up for its scheduled trip, Metro can help set up a ride on Lyft for them. Contact the Metro Transit Information team at 314.231.2345 and let them know the situation. They will do their best to make sure that rider gets to their destination on time. Find out more here.
All Metro Transit customers are encouraged to check metrostlouis.org, Transit app or contact Metro Transit Information for updated schedule and route information. Metro Transit Information is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 314.207.9786 (text) or 314.231.2345 (phone).