urbanSTL

My favorite Metrolink memory was riding from Shrewbury to downtown one day. A member of the "riff-raff" was engaging some college-aged ladies in a game of three-card monty. He was still in the phase of letting them win and build their confidence (he was down $10 or $20) when we got to the Grand stop and the girls said, "This is where we get off" and walked away. This was a very entertaining turn of events to me and the other assembled "riff-raff". 

Reminds me about riding metrolink as a wide eyed youth going to Mardi Gras (not even 21 yet)

We played a bit of 3 Card Monty and got straight HUSTLED. In retrospect I'm pretty sure the $100 bills he was flashing were bad counterfeits anyways. Live and learn 

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑

Sep 10, 2021

Reminds me about riding metrolink as a wide eyed youth going to Mardi Gras (not even 21 yet)

We played a bit of 3 Card Monty and got straight HUSTLED. In retrospect I'm pretty sure the $100 bills he was flashing were bad counterfeits anyways. Live and learn 

Getting hustled as a drunk college student on the metro was a great way to learn alot of things.  Whatever money I lost was more than worth the knowledge gained.  Especially because it never seemed our safety was at risk, just our cash 

The three card monty hustle is a classic, hard to believe anyone falls for it.

symphonicpoet wrote:^I'm honestly surprised Metrolink compares that favorably. It's a pretty good system, but we could use a lot more of it.

I took the Metro-link to get back to Illinois and not one but two people were kicked out for not having tickets. One been a woman that said she had no pass or money.

I know people don’t like talking about turnstiles but we need them. There’s a few stations that doesn’t really need expensive upgrades to install them like CWE, Union Station, Convention, Lacledes and the Casino one. Maybe some other ones but can’t speak for those.

At the station at Convention found human feces let Metro-link know through twitter and they cleaned it the next day. There’s way to many mental health or drugs addicts coming down to the stations to ask for money or just act crazy I guess. Turnstiles will stop them from coming down. Saw some Reds fan kind of scared on the train and that’s very sad.

I take the train at least 4 times a week because I believe Downtowns should be free car zones but the fix is very simple. Is not rocket science.


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Turnstiles don’t keep crazy, public masturbating addicts off the Chicago L, NY subways or the BART. Why would they work here?

The FACT is that you are much safer on the metro link than you are on one of our local freeways, and it’s not close. Metrolink doesn’t need the change, St Louisans need thicker skin

Let’s avoid turning this thread into a conversation on turnstiles. I’ve sat near puddles of urine in both Chicago and St. Louis. Transit is transit.

BellaVilla wrote:Turnstiles don’t keep crazy, public masturbating addicts off the Chicago L, NY subways or the BART. Why would they work here?

The FACT is that you are much safer on the metro link than you are on one of our local freeways, and it’s not close. Metrolink doesn’t need the change, St Louisans need thicker skin

Not my guy! Chicago L doesn’t have that problem or NYC. An even when they do have a problem because no system is perfect when you compare their ridership vs incidents its a null percentage less than 1%!! If you don’t pay you’re not in…. Turnstiles do work.

Saint Louisians might need a tougher skin I agree and I a grew in Chicago’s Westside and still think Metro Link is not even close to be as safe as Chicago’s CTA or NYC subway system. Sometimes opinions hurt but people talking about the problems is how you fix them not by hiding them! One thing I have noticed in STL is people hear a different opinion than theirs they either racist or you haven’t been here long enough! STL needs to grow out of that small town mentality and be willing to talk about what’s wrong to fix our problems as I live here now.

If STL was so perfect population growth would’ve been in the positives! We need to fix all these problems so more people would want to move in.


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I don’t believe you, and frankly, I question, your bona fides as a poster here.

BellaVilla wrote:I don’t believe you, and frankly, I question, your bona fides as a poster here.

I speak what I see from a transplant perspective. A person that is not accustomed to the way STL has worked I guess for years! I try to give my opinion as a super mega minority as there’s not that many of us Caribbean folks in this region. Does my comments or opinions bother you? Well guess what I will always be entitled to my mine. We can agree to disagree but will never bend to the core just to fit it. That what makes NYC, LA, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta so great! Open minds create great things! Soooo get used to it.


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^^Typical STL parochial gatekeeping behavior. JJ: they've done that with me too, don't mind them.

kipfilet wrote:^^Typical STL parochial gatekeeping behavior. JJ: they've done that with me too, don't mind them.

Will do. Thanks!


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“Chicago doesn’t have a problem or NYC subway system” yeah I doubt you’ve ever ridden either

BellaVilla wrote:“Chicago doesn’t have a problem or NYC subway system” yeah I doubt you’ve ever ridden either

Learn how to read! Geez! I’m not here for kids discussions on who’s has traveled the most even though my travel portfolio is probably more diverse. You need to be open about others opinions doesn’t cost a thing you know!


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https://www.chicagotribune.com/investig ... story.html


https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/bre ... story.html

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/08/19 ... -shooting/


https://www.9news.com/amp/article/news/ ... 1d8933f99a

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/08/25 ... ker-rally/

https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/loc ... -blue-line

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/ ... signs.html

I’m just a little ole transportation expert that’s been involved in dozens of studies in the region and turnstiles will do as much as concrete barriers have to speeding in downtown.

JJ Rivera wrote: ↑

Sep 13, 2021

kipfilet wrote:^^Typical STL parochial gatekeeping behavior. JJ: they've done that with me too, don't mind them.

Will do. Thanks!


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Just for the record, I appreciate both of you guys sharing your opinions here.  Those with experiences living in different cities, coming to the STL and sharing their thoughts on it with a set of fresh eyes is always informative and enlightening.

Additionally, transplants who care are very possibly the city and region's best bet for becoming a healthier place.  Thank you.

OnTheEdge wrote:

JJ Rivera wrote: ↑

Sep 13, 2021

kipfilet wrote:^^Typical STL parochial gatekeeping behavior. JJ: they've done that with me too, don't mind them.

Will do. Thanks!


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Just for the record, I appreciate both of you guys sharing your opinions here.  Those with experiences living in different cities, coming to the STL and sharing their thoughts on it with a set of fresh eyes is always informative and enlightening.

Additionally, transplants who care are very possibly the city and region's best bet for becoming a healthier place.  Thank you.

Np! Just want a better place to live!


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For the record, I’m not from StL

I’m not even from this country

dbInSouthCity wrote:I’m not even from this country

Me neither lol…


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dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

Sep 13, 2021

I’m just a little ole transportation expert that’s been involved in dozens of studies in the region and turnstiles will do as much as concrete barriers have to speeding in downtown.

Is that an argument in favor of or against turnstiles? I thought the concrete barriers had made at least some difference. (And even if they haven't done much at least they're pretty cheap and low maintenance.)