It's actually really common in other cities.dtgwvc wrote: ↑Nov 04, 2023To be fair, I don’t know if other cities do this. It just seems like it would cost almost nothing and it’s so obvious. I wish I knew someone who worked there so I could ask.
Maybe there should be a neighborhood map of all the bus routes that go through each neighborhood, and where they go, and it could be put on a poster somewhere prominent in the neighborhood that people can look at while they past. Like a PSA for the transportation options you have in your neighborhood.
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Metro to increase bus runs on 17 routes as driver ranks increase
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https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/business/metro-to-increase-bus-runs-on-17-routes-as-driver-ranks-increase/article_f70b21e4-ac05-11ee-8b7e-0becc41999bd.htmlMetro Transit will increase runs on 17 bus routes in St. Louis and St. Louis County beginning Jan. 15, a move made possible by the agency's recent success in hiring drivers.
Among the most significant changes will be on the #8 Shaw-Cherokee, #78 Bellefontaine and #91 Olive routes.
The frequency of buses on those routes during the day on weekdays will increase to once every 30 minutes. Now they come by once an hour.
The agency has said it has gotten more applicants in recent months partly because of pay hikes in a new contract ratified last summer with Metro's main employee union.
Another factor is a $5,000 signing bonus Metro began offering new hires last June. That recently has been extended to the end of March.
It's not enough, but I'm pleasantly surprised, at this point my expectations are so low for Metro.
I recently realized that the 31 Chouteau bus is only 1 hour frequency. That surprised me as I was expecting 30-40 for that line. What really gets me is that the 57 Manchester bus gets the same frequency despite being in a more suburban area that you'd think would make it a worse line than the 31. 31 connects Downtown-Steelcote/SLU Medical-The Grove-Maplewood yet only runs once per hour. Is there a particular reason why there's not that much demand for this line that I'm missing? Only thing I can think of (beyond people scared of the bus) is that it mirrors MetroLink, just further south.
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I know the bus system has had an issue with a driver shortage, though it has gotten better in the past year with improved frequencies on a number of routes. These just haven't had the improvements yet. I think Metro will release an updated schedule soon.Auggie wrote: ↑Aug 26, 2024I recently realized that the 31 Chouteau bus is only 1 hour frequency. That surprised me as I was expecting 30-40 for that line. What really gets me is that the 57 Manchester bus gets the same frequency despite being in a more suburban area that you'd think would make it a worse line than the 31. 31 connects Downtown-Steelcote/SLU Medical-The Grove-Maplewood yet only runs once per hour. Is there a particular reason why there's not that much demand for this line that I'm missing? Only thing I can think of (beyond people scared of the bus) is that it mirrors MetroLink, just further south.
When did Metro start running buses with "FARE REQUIRED" alternating on the headboard with the line # and name? I know I've seen that in Baltimore before, but that's because that city runs like 2 or 3 circulator lines where fares aren't collected.
No clue. I just realized it this week. I was taken aback, didn't think there was a fare evasion issue on the buses.
I guess there's no reason to alternate line # and name with "Go Cards". Plus hockey season is like 6 weeks away so it's too early to do "Go Blues"Auggie wrote: ↑Aug 28, 2025No clue. I just realized it this week. I was taken aback, didn't think there was a fare evasion issue on the buses.
"Go City SC"dweebe wrote: ↑Aug 28, 2025I guess there's no reason to alternate line # and name with "Go Cards". Plus hockey season is like 6 weeks away so it's too early to do "Go Blues"Auggie wrote: ↑Aug 28, 2025No clue. I just realized it this week. I was taken aback, didn't think there was a fare evasion issue on the buses.
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Just noticed that myself this morning and was wondering what it was about.
And yes, I've seen some. The trick seems to be to get on first and then act like you can't find your fare card or money. So the people behind and driver get impatient and the driver just waves them on.Auggie wrote: ↑Aug 28, 2025I was taken aback, didn't think there was a fare evasion issue on the buses.
The stupid thing about this is in my estimation about 90% of fare evasion on buses is Metro's fault. Countless times I've boarded the bus and the little machine was broken so I didn't have to pay.
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I was in Philadelphia in July before all the service cuts SEPTA did. I noticed so much fare evasion there during my week and time using public transit. So many people jumping the fare gates on the L and bus drivers just letting on riders, especially those bringing 2-3 kids onboard. My estimate is half of the people didn't pay from my observation on the buses. No wonder they have the budget shortfall!
I bought the SEPTA Key card for the day pass, but you to use credit cards to tap and pay the fare as well. So there is really no excuse for fare evasion, but the "usual" folk seem to think they don't have to pay.
I bought the SEPTA Key card for the day pass, but you to use credit cards to tap and pay the fare as well. So there is really no excuse for fare evasion, but the "usual" folk seem to think they don't have to pay.
I will admit I don't always look at the machine as I use the Transit app and show the drive the QR code like thing on my phone.PeterXCV wrote: ↑Aug 29, 2025The stupid thing about this is in my estimation about 90% of fare evasion on buses is Metro's fault. Countless times I've boarded the bus and the little machine was broken so I didn't have to pay.
Not excusing fare evasion by any means but SEPTA has been in a near-constant funding crisis with regards to funding from Pennsylvania since the 1980s, they finally got unlucky this year.10-intuition wrote: ↑Aug 29, 2025I was in Philadelphia in July before all the service cuts SEPTA did. I noticed so much fare evasion there during my week and time using public transit. So many people jumping the fare gates on the L and bus drivers just letting on riders, especially those bringing 2-3 kids onboard. My estimate is half of the people didn't pay from my observation on the buses. No wonder they have the budget shortfall!
I bought the SEPTA Key card for the day pass, but you to use credit cards to tap and pay the fare as well. So there is really no excuse for fare evasion, but the "usual" folk seem to think they don't have to pay.