Single-Car Pilot | Second Phase Update
Metro Transit thanks everyone who provided feedback during the first phase of our Single-Car Pilot. What you shared, along with what the Metro team observed throughout the initial period, provided us with valuable information as we determined our next steps.
The second phase of the Single-Car Pilot begins on Saturday, October 17, which will have two important changes.
1) Testing a Special “Rush Hour Connector” Train to Increase Frequency to Busiest Stations
The pilot’s initial findings show that single-car trains do not always have enough capacity during peak commuting hours within MetroLink’s busiest corridor, which runs from Grand Station to the Red Line’s Delmar Loop Station and the Blue Line’s University City-Big Bend Station. Many riders shared that single-car service could be more valuable if it was joined with increased frequency. That’s what Metro will test next.
During the pilot’s second phase, Metro will study increasing frequency to the busiest MetroLink stations by adding a Rush Hour Connector Train during peak service hours from approximately 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the mornings and approximately 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Riders traveling within this area will see trains every 5-10 minutes during times with extra service. The goal is to determine if a Rush Hour Connector train can improve the experience for customers while also improving operational efficiency.
From Saturday, October 17, to Friday, October 23, the Rush Hour Connector train will only operate between the Delmar Loop and Grand MetroLink Stations.
From Saturday, October 24, to Friday, October 30, the Rush Hour Connector train will operate between the University City-Big Bend and Grand MetroLink Stations.
2) Adding Additional Single-Car Trains to Service
With the successful use of two single-car trains outside of the busiest times of the priority corridor in the first phase, Metro will expand the pilot to include more single-car trains on each line.
Following the same two-part schedule as the added frequency testing, Metro will first operate two single-car trains (in addition to the Rush Hour Connector Train) on the Red Line from Saturday, October 17, to Friday, October 23. Then, Metro will operate two single-car trains (in addition to the Rush Hour Connector Train) on the Blue Line from Saturday, October 24, to Friday, October 30.
During the second phase, single-car trains will only be in operation on one line at a time.
What Metro Has Observed So Far
The Metro Transit team recorded over 1,000 observations throughout the first 10 days of the Single-Car Pilot. Here’s what we have observed so far:
– Metro often found that customers waiting to board at the rear of a platform were unprepared and had to rush to board a single-car train. As a result, the back half of single-car trains became overcrowded even when room was available in the front half.
– Metro advises riders to prepare to board at the front of the platform when waiting for a train so that single-car trains are filled by passengers evenly.
– Metro also advises riders to check whether there is more room in the front half of the train when the rear half is crowded.
– As expected, single-car trains were most full on weekdays during morning and evening peaks, occasionally reaching capacity. Passenger counts were highest in the priority corridor.
– However, many other hours of MetroLink service had plenty of available seating on single-car trains. Of all of Metro’s single-car observations, roughly two-thirds reported plenty of open seats.
What Metro Has Heard From You
Metro Transit has received hundreds of pieces of feedback from riders through everything from social media comments to on-train rider experience surveys. We thank everyone who has participated in helping us shape the future of our transit service. Here’s what we’ve heard so far:
– Riders during peak service hours often said single-car trains felt too crowded.
– Many riders shared concerns about their health and the health of fellow passengers when they’re in closer proximity on a single-car train during cold and flu season.
– Multiple riders said their experience with single-car trains was comfortable, particularly outside peak service hours.
How to Continue Sharing Feedback
Your feedback and our observations drove Metro’s decisions for the next stage of the Single-Car Pilot. Now, with the Pilot’s second phase changing what riders will experience, we need to hear more from you. Metro has placed QR codes on every single-car train so riders can share feedback on their experience. Please look for window decals with a link to our Single-Car Pilot experience survey. You can also share your thoughts on the pilot at https://bsdstl.org/singlecarsurvey.
About the Single-Car Pilot
Metro Transit is operating single-car MetroLink trains in select situations, instead of the usual two-car trains, to learn whether it can improve efficiency and reduce operating costs while maintaining customer satisfaction, service reliability, and safety. The Single-Car Pilot will be conducted in phases and end in Spring 2027.
“We know many riders remember trial periods with single-car trains in the past and have concerns,” said Ron Forrest, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Transit. “But we are taking a very deliberate approach with this pilot so that we can thoroughly study the impact to operations, customer experience, and possible savings to make the best decision for long-term service.”
During the pilot, Metro will conduct a detailed analysis using operational performance data, customer feedback, and ridership numbers to evaluate the efficacy of one-car trains for long-term use and in specific areas and conditions. Initial analysis indicates single-car operations have the potential to generate annual maintenance cost savings between $800,000 to $4.8 million. As stewards of public tax dollars, Metro works to maximize its resources to operate as efficiently as possible while maintaining quality customer service. Once the pilot begins, Metro will ask riders to provide feedback on their experience to inform any long-term decisions on using single-car operations.
The pilot does not involve a service reduction, as MetroLink will maintain its expected frequency and schedule throughout the pilot. MetroLink will suspend the single-car pilot during special events when peak ridership is expected and during planned track maintenance requiring single-track operations when trains in both directions must share a single track at affected stations during daytime weekday service.