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Metro Launches New On-Demand Service: Via Metro STL
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Metro Transit is partnering with Via to launch a new on-demand transit service for the St. Louis region on Monday, June 29. 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.
This new service allows you to hail a vehicle directly from your smartphone using the Via app, and travel to any location within the service area during operating hours.
You will not be restricted to having trips connect to Metro Transit — you can use the Via Metro STL service to get from your home directly to the grocery store, or anywhere else in the service areas shown below.
Via Metro STL is a shared-ride service, and Via’s advanced technology seamlessly matches passengers headed in the same direction to provide quick and efficient trips, without lengthy detours or inconvenient schedules.
Try it FREE for a limited time!
- Rides are free through the end of August
- Only $2 per ride starting in September
- Book a ride with the Via app or call 636.251.3328
How to Ride
- Create an account. Download Via from the App Store or Google Play store and follow the simple sign-up steps. If you don’t have a smartphone, call 636.251.3328 to set up your ride.
- Request a ride. Enter your pickup and drop-off addresses and choose the ride option that works for you.
- Meet your driver. Check the app and walk a short distance to your pick up spot.
- Get where you need to go.
As part of our commitment to providing safe transit services during the COVID-19 crisis, you will be required to wear a face covering during your entire trip. All drivers are also required to wear masks. You can learn about the safety measures being taken by Via here: ridewithvia.com/safety
South St. Louis County – Fenton/Valley Park Area
Service is offered in this area seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 MetroLink Station is included in this area for easy access to the Metro system.
North St. Louis County
Service will be available in this area seven days a week from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Via Metro STL service is being offered in North St. Louis County at these times to provide convenient options during off-peak hours when bus service is limited or has ended. The Riverview Transit Center is included in this service area.
Via Metro STL is a 12-month pilot program to explore on-demand transportation options as part of Metro Transit’s services.
Download Via now to get started
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This service is a great idea but consider expanding it to St Charles County as those without cars will have access to bus stops in STL county. Also looks like the zone goes into Jefferson County so it would be nice to have service expanded to Arnold.
Hi – thank you for the feedback. Via Metro STL is a pilot program to explore on-demand transportation options as part of Metro Transit’s services. We will share your comments with our Planning team.
Are those the correct times for north county?
Yes, those times are correct. The overnight service hours for North St. Louis County are being offered to provide convenient options during off-peak hours when bus service is limited or has ended.
Could you extend the Via option to Manchester Road and 141 from Big Bend and 141 so 57 riders have that option as well?
Thank you for your suggestion. Via Metro STL is a pilot program. We will share your comments with our Planning team as they evaluate the service over the next several months.
Why is it daytime hours for South County and evening/overnight for North County?
Via Metro STL is being offered in North St. Louis County during overnight hours to provide convenient options during off-peak hours when bus service is limited or has ended.
I like the idea of a flat rate service like Lyft, hopefully the South County segment of it can be expanded to as late as Midnight and spread out to include all of South St. Louis County and maybe have stretches into the Arnold area of Jefferson County.
This is a great feature, but it does not address transportation issues for people traveling from South county into Fenton and Valley Park, especially since there is no regular bus or Call A Ride into those areas. Hopefully Metro will consider this at a later time. We did try to utilize this new service unfortunately our pick up point, even though it was in South County was outside the area serviced.
I am Currently a Driver for Via put of Chicago but I am from St Louis….Would I be able to Drive for Via in St Louis Via my Personal Vehicle.
Via Metro STL uses co-branded VIA/Metro Chrysler Pacificas – so I don’t believe personal vehicles are able to be used for this service. But, you should check with Via for more information.
I agree with Karen: “This service is a great idea but consider expanding it to St Charles County as those without cars will have access to bus stops in STL county. Also looks like the zone goes into Jefferson County so it would be nice to have service expanded to Arnold.” This service is desperately needed for people who have jobs who work in St. Charles county and Jefferson county.
Can we get service to Jefferson and St. Charles Counties? There are so many employers in these areas (FedEx etc) that many people can not access without Metro
Thanks for the feedback, Lauren. Right now, Metro provides transit service to St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Clair County in Illinois – and we have funding and service agreements in place with these areas. In order to provide service to St. Charles or Jefferson County, we would need to establish new partnerships.
I think it’s grand. The businesses really should advertise it so that we can expand to other areas like to Eureka, and to Arnold. The vans that are used in this service are the perfect size due to that sometimes you have to go on super narrow streets and even the larger Call-a-Ride vehicles are too big to fit on them.
Yes I agree it would by nice if this service could include St. Charles County and Jefferson County.
I would love to see this service expanded to St. Charles and Jefferson counties, as well as Eureka, Wildwood and Arnold in St. Louis county. I can’t wait to refer my clients to this service! As a part of my job, I assist clients with obtaining entry-level employment. There are many opportunities in manufacturing, manual labor, restaurant and warehouse jobs in those areas.
This “service” is a joke. Undependable. Unsafe. How do we get to/from classes at Webster? Hard to set up meetings with professors etc. with such haphazard transport. Bring back the #56 bus at least!!!
Sorry to hear you have had a bad experience – the majority of the feedback we are receiving has been very positive. Feel free to email us directly with your concerns at nextstop@metrostlouis.org. Also, we expect the #56 to return to service later this month. More information will be available soon.
I used this service before. I enjoyed it. I had Kevin as a driver the first few times. Great person and very knowledgeable of the company. Then I had Curtis very professional and direct. My last driver was Lisa she is a sweetheart.
Thank you for the feedback! We love to hear the positive experiences you have had.
Glad this work for some…still no service available for those in the I70 Bermuda area…just a couple of minutes from Hanley Station and having to pay $12 or more to get home…bring back #38 or something to service this area…seeing people walking up and down the highway ramps are scary!!!
Our Planning team regularly evaluates service and determines what changes they can make to best serve riders – I will forward your comments to them for review. But, you may also consider taking advantage of our Lyft program – it serves the I-70, Bermuda area. More information is available here: https://www.metrostlouis.org/lyft/lyft-north-st-louis-county/ – you can also contact us at 314-231-2345 for more details.
The North County hours are extremely non accessible.
Hi – Thank you for sharing that feedback with us. Are there specific hours you would like to see made available? This program is still a pilot program, and the current hours were established to supplement MetroBus service in the area. But we will share your feedback with our team as they look at expanding this program in the future.