Bi-State Development Agency

Metro Transit has installed the locked gates at 11 light rail stations, but the agency hasn't yet put automatic ticket validators or vending machines in place.

The Bi-State Development Agency will be able to finish ongoing engineering work and an environmental review on an expansion of MetroLink in St. Louis, but will delay applying for any grants until Mayor Cara Spencer gives the OK.

The agency that oversees mass transit in the St. Louis region agreed to operate the trolley for at least 32 hours per week until 2028. The Loop Trolley Transportation Development District will cover the costs.

Metro Transit has hired 100 new bus drivers in the past year as it works to expand service and restore routes that were cut after the pandemic.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Alliance for Reliable Transit, a disability advocacy group, released its June report card that assesses Metro Transit. The group gave poor scores in customer service and engagement with people with disabilities and failed Metro on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

The public meetings this week are meant to kick off the yearlong environmental review process and come after some of the initial design and engineering work that’s already been completed.

The STL Metropolitan Alliance for Reliable Transit report card gave near-failing scores in customer service and engagement with people with disabilities, and failed Metro for not being ADA compliant.

Transit officials say a $1 billion expansion of the MetroLink that would connect north and south St. Louis along Jefferson Avenue will rely on federal transit grants.

Riders have said Metro Transit's paratransit service is outdated and doesn’t meet their needs.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttiegieg said $196 million will go toward replacing 48 MetroLink light rail cars. The funding is one of the biggest grants MetroLink has received.