Metro Call-A-Ride Explained

Metro Call-A-Ride
Parent:Bi-State Development Agency
Founded:1987
Service Area:City of St. Louis
St. Louis County
Service Type:Paratransit
Fleet:123 vans
Fuel Type:Diesel
Operator:Metro Transit
Ridership:1,400
Annual Ridership:278,900

Metro Call-A-Ride is a paratransit service operated by Metro Transit that serves parts of Greater St. Louis. In, the service had an annual ridership of 278,900, or about 1,400 per weekday as of .

Service

Metro Call-A-Ride serves passengers in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County who have limited access to MetroBus or MetroLink and/or disabled residents who are unable to use those services.[1] Call-A-Ride does not travel on fixed routes like MetroBus and provides service within 3/4 mile of a MetroBus or MetroLink station only when buses and trains are in service.[2]

In April 2023, in response to ongoing operator shortages, Metro announced that it would reduce its service area for Call-A-Ride, primarily in southwest and far north St. Louis County. These reductions in service have led to significant criticism for the transit agency.[3] [4]

During a January 15th, 2024 service adjustment, Metro announced it had increased Call-A-Ride driver ranks to 124, up from 102 in November 2023 but still below the 201 budgeted. Despite the increase in ranks, Metro must reduce missed trips due to the lack of drivers before increasing the Call-A-Ride service area.[5]

Fleet

Metro's Call-A-Ride fleet is made up of 123 vans equipped with an accessible lift or ramp and priority seating.[6] [7]

Roster

Call-A-Ride roster as of fiscal year 2022:[8]

Fleet Number(s)QuantityYear BuiltManufacturerModelEngineSeatingNotesSource
4330-4379212009ElDoradoAerotechGMC Duramax 6.6L14
4401-44251720084418 retired; listed for auction in July 2023[9]
4430-44531920084430, 4434 retired; listed for auction in July 2023
4501-4537372015ChampionDefenderCummins ISB6.7
4601-4617172016
4701-4722222019ArbocSOIFord 3.7L
4801-4820202020

References

  1. Web site: Metro Call-A-Ride . 2023-09-15 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  2. Web site: New Service Area for Metro Call-A-Ride April 2023 . 2023-09-25 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  3. Web site: Schrappen . Colleen . 2023-09-17 . Call-A-Ride's struggles leave disabled St. Louis-area passengers in the lurch . 2023-09-18 . STLtoday.com . en.
  4. Web site: Stefanescu . Victor . 2023-06-22 . Call-A-Ride riders say service cuts hurt, ask Metro to rethink St. Louis-area’s plan . 2023-09-18 . STLtoday.com . en.
  5. Web site: Schlinkmann . Mark . 2024-01-05 . Metro to increase bus runs on 17 routes as driver ranks increase . 2024-02-06 . STLtoday.com . en.
  6. Web site: Accessibility . 2024-02-12 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  7. Web site: System Profile . 2024-07-14 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  8. Web site: September 21, 2022 . Transit Asset Management Plan FY2022 . live . July 14, 2024 . East-West Gateway Council of Governments . 52.
  9. Web site: 2023-07-24 . Public Surplus: Auction #3319010 . 2024-07-14 . web.archive.org.

External links