News
Public Meeting Dates Announced for Proposed Metro Fare Increase
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro is announcing the dates, times and locations of three public information sessions and a public hearing about a proposed fare increase that would go into effect in July 2014. In addition, the agency is also announcing details about how the public can participate online and provide feedback about this important topic as well.
Public Meeting
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Thursday, March 27, 2014
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
St. Louis City Hall St. Louis County Government Center
1200 Market Street Second Floor
St. Louis, MO 63103 41 South Central
Clayton, MO 63105
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
East St. Louis City Hall
301 River Park Drive
East St. Louis, Illinois 62201
Public Hearing
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. — Formal presentation at 6 p.m.
Metro Headquarters
Board Room
707 North First Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
The general public is invited to attend one of these meetings to learn more about three fare increase options under consideration and to provide feedback. A fare increase is necessary to meet Metro transit’s fiscal year 2015 budgeted goal of a five percent increase in passenger revenue. All of these options would generate an additional $2.25 million in annual revenue. Based on public feedback, Metro will adopt one of the fare increase options or a modified version of the three options.
Option 1 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25); weekly pass from $25 to $26 (+$1); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $165 (+$15).
Option 2 increases MetroLink one-ride fare from $2.25 to $2.50 (+$0.25): weekly pass from $25 to $27 (+$2); monthly pass from $72 to $78 (+$6) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
Option 3 would not change the MetroLink one-ride fare; weekly pass from $25 to $28 (+$3); monthly pass from $72 to $80 (+$8) and semester pass from $150 to $175 (+$25).
The public meetings will be offered in an open house format with no formal presentations made. Metro staff will be available to discuss the fare increase options. The public hearing will include a formal presentation that will begin at 6 p.m., with the remaining time available for public comment. Residents who are not able to attend one of the public meetings are urged to participant and provide feedback online at www.metrostlouis.org/FaresPasses/FareIncrease2014.aspx
They may also comment on the proposed fare increase options by calling 314-982-1422, by email to FareIncrease2014@metrostlouis.org, or by mail to:
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro
Attn: Planning – Fare Increase 2014
707 North 1st Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014.
Bi-State Development Agency/Metro’s fiscal year 2015 operating budget is 3.6 % higher than it was in
2014 because of increases in the price of services and products like diesel fuel. All of Metro transit’s
revenue sources, including local sales taxes and passenger revenue, must grow to continue to sustain
the current service level.
Regular and modest fare increases are important to the long-term health of the transit system. Fare increases of about five percent approximately every two years are essential to continue the implementation of Moving Transit Forward, the region’s long-range plan for transit service operations, enhancement and capital investment.
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; 372 MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 75 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call‑A‑Ride, a paratransit fleet of 120 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.