Planning for the Future: Potential Expansion

More Transit Options

Rising fuel costs, concern for our environment, congestion, and roadway construction are driving people to seek alternative modes of transportation. Metro is meeting some of this growing demand today with MetroLink and MetroBus and has the potential to make an even greater impact on our region. Metro is proposing the following four transit investment strategies to address the diverse and growing transportation needs of the region. Some can be implemented very quickly, and others require major capital investments over several years.

1. Increase frequency on MetroBus express routes and arterial routes nearing capacity.
Many routes would benefit from added capacity, frequency, and park-ride spaces. If funding were available, increased frequency could be added to heavily used routes within one year.

2. Implement high-speed bus service between major residential and employment centers.
In the absence of light rail, enhanced bus corridors can offer high-speed travel at a lower cost. Enhanced bus corridors would initially include expanding service or implementing new routes between multiple destinations in the region. New routes and expanded frequency could be implemented in less than 3 years with the purchase of new vehicles.

3. Develop express bus corridors into Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines.
Enhanced routes carrying very high numbers of customers can be converted into Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines, which would include high capacity vehicles, dedicated stations, and limited stops. BRT development would occur in phases as demand increases. Initial BRT features on key corridors could be developed in 3-5 years.

4. More MetroLink
The region, led by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, has identified the Daniel Boone MetroLink Corridor as the region’s next light rail priority. The Daniel Boone Corridor extends from Clayton and the Shrewsbury I-44 MetroLink Branch to West St. Louis County, initially terminating near Westport. In order to build any MetroLink extension, significant local and federal funds would be needed. To be considered for federal funding, specific guidelines need to be followed, including an analysis of alternatives and environmental impacts. The analysis, design, and construction of this alignment could be completed in 10 years.
 

What is Bus Rapid Transit(BRT)?
 

BRT is an innovative, high capacity, lower cost public transit solution that can significantly improve urban mobility. This system uses high capacity buses or specialized vehicles on existing roadways or dedicated lanes to quickly and efficiently transport passengers to their destinations, while offering the flexibility to meet changing transit demand. BRT systems can easily be customized to community needs and incorporate state-of-the-art, low-cost technologies that result in more passengers and less congestion. BRT is ideally suited for mid-sized cities and corridors where other highspeed service does not exist. Advantages of BRT include lower capital investment than light rail, higher federal funding level, relatively short time frames to implement, and routing flexibility.

Key components of BRT include:
• High frequency service (10-15 minutes)
• Limited stops to improve speed
• Attractive station design with amenities
• Convenient park-ride access
• Low-floor boarding for easy accessibility
• Dedicated lanes, on/off ramps, traffic signal
prioritization
• Unique branding of service including vehicles,
lines, and stations
(Source: National BRT Institute)
 

More Metro in Your Community

North St. Louis County

With new funding, the expanded MetroBus and Metro Call-A-Ride service implemented in North St. Louis County over the past three years would be preserved. Since 2005, Metro added service on nearly every North County route, leading to a 74% increase in ridership. With new funding, Metro would implement the following service enhancements as demand warrants:

• Add service on key North County arterial routes like 61 Chambers, 32 Wellston, 34 Earth City, 36 Spanish Lake
• Enhanced frequency on North County Express routes likes 240X Bissel Hills Express and 174X Halls Ferry Express
• Construction of new North County MetroBusCenter north of I-270
• Construction of enhanced park-ride lots
• Transition to BRT-style service in the corridor including special vehicles if demand warrants

West St. Louis County

The primary benefit of new transit funding to West St. Louis County residents includes the preservation of Metro Call-A-Ride, and local and express service west of I-270 including communities like Chesterfield, Wildwood, Ellisville, Ballwin, and Manchester.
With the approval of new funding, Metro would also implement:

• Construction of a West County MetroBus Center near Chesterfield
• Improved park-ride facilities in the I-64 Corridor
• Improved frequency on new I-64 Express including special vehicles if demand warrants

New St. Louis County funding, when matched with anticipated federal funding, will allow Metro to plan, design, and construct a new MetroLink alignment from Clayton to I-270 near Westport. This would add up to six new stations between Clayton and Maryland Heights in the I-170 – Page Corridor.

Southwest St. Louis County

With the closure of I-64 in 2008, Metro implemented significantly improved downtown express bus service from Pacific, Eureka, Valley Park, and parts of West County north of I-44. New St. Louis County funding, would preserve these services along with Metro Call-A-Ride. With new funding Metro would pursue the following service improvements:

• Improved frequency on the I-44 to downtown express routes
• Expanded and enhanced park-ride lots near key interchanges
• Improved midday frequency on the 210X I-44 Shuttle between Hwy. 141 and Shrewsbury MetroLink Station
• Transition to BRT-style service in the corridor including special vehicles if demand warrants

South St. Louis County

New funding from St. Louis County would preserve service to South County on local and express routes and Metro Call-A-Ride. Expanded transit funding and facilities will permit Metro to make the following improvements:

• Improved frequency on the 40X I-55 Express
• Construction of a South County MetroBus Center near Lindbergh
• New park-ride facilities near key South County I-55 interchanges
• Transition to BRT-style service in the corridor including special vehicles if demand warrants

City of St. Louis

New funding will preserve extensive MetroBus, Metro Call-A-Ride, and MetroLink services, including current frequencies and night service, in the City of St. Louis. New funding in St. Louis will enable Metro to pursue the following service expansion efforts:

• Address overloads on key St. Louis routes like the 70 Grand
• New MetroBus Center on north side of downtown
• Re-construction of Grand MetroLink Station elevators, stairs, and Grand Bridge bus stops
• Transition to BRT-style service in the 70 Grand corridor, including special vehicles, if demand warrants
 

St. Clair County, Illinois

In Fall 2008, Metro, in collaboration with its Illinois funding partner, the St. Clair County Transit District, will enhance MetroLink and MetroBus service at Fairview Heights. Trains will operate every 5 minutes during the rush hour, every 7.5 minutes in midday, and every 10 minutes at night between the Fairview Heights and Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Stations.