News
Power Problem Expected to Cause MetroLink Delays Through the End of Next Week
Patti Beck
Director of Communications
314-982-1440
Metro Transit is continuing to ask its MetroLink and MetroBus customers to plan ahead, arrive early and allow extra time for their commutes through the end of next week due to a power issue near Emerson Park MetroLink Station.
MetroLink has been running 5 to 10 minutes behind schedule since a power outage occurred on June 11. Customers who transfer from MetroLink trains to MetroBus vehicles are advised to catch earlier trains than the ones they normally take so they can make their usual bus connections. That means boarding MetroLink 15 to 20 minutes earlier than normal for the morning commuters. During the afternoon rush hour, customers should allow an extra half hour to make their normal connections between MetroLink and MetroBus.
Customers at the Emerson Park MetroLink Station can still purchase passes and tickets but only with cash. The Ticket Vending Machines cannot accept debit or credit cards until the power issue is resolved next week.
Various equipment enclosures housing MetroLink signal and communication equipment sustained damage at the Emerson Park MetroLink Station on June 11 when an electric pole holding high voltage power lines was knocked down. Power was restored within a few hours but signal and communications equipment was either damaged or destroyed during the power surge. New equipment has been ordered and will be delivered and installed next week. Until then, MetroLink trains operating between the 5th & Missouri and the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center Stations are running at reduced speeds and must stop at some crossings where MetroLink intersects with vehicle traffic. This stop and proceed operation is required to protect the safety of MetroLink and vehicle passengers.
The Bi-State Development Agency/Metro (BSDA/Metro) is the operator of the Metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; 374 MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 75 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call‑A‑Ride, a paratransit fleet of 121 vans.
BSDA/Metro also owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport and its surrounding industrial business park, and the Gateway Arch Riverboats, as well as operates the Gateway Arch Revenue Collections Center, the Gateway Arch Transportation System, and the Gateway Arch Parking Facility.