Niki,
At this time MetroLink trains are not equipped with the same automated vehicle location (AVL) technology as MetroBus vehicles; it is this technology that drives the availability of real-time MetroBus information. At this time, we use a different system which tracks the location of MetroLink vehicles by track segment, rather than latitude / longitude. There are some barriers to using AVL (which requires satellite availability) on the MetroLink system, however we are actively exploring its potential application with the same vendor that supports this technology on MetroBus. In the meantime, “Metro on the Go” does combine scheduled and real-time MetroBus information with MetroLink schedule information, and you can feel confident in your trip planning because MetroLink is on time more than 95% of the time.
Hello Chris, Laura NH, hoipeloy and Aligo,
You’ve all made valid suggestions and comments regarding safety and security aboard the Metro system, which I’ll address here:
1. Metro has a “See Something Say Something” campaign that includes signage on the system inviting customers to call 314-289-6873 to report illegal, dangerous or nuisance behavior on the transit system. We have explored the possibility of a text feature and have discussed this with local police, but that’s very difficult to implement technologically and respond to in real time. Onboard vehicles, in addition to the Security Dispatch number above, security personnel onboard or at stations and the MetroBus or MetroLink operator are available to you. Aboard MetroLink, the you may reach out to the Operator directly via the “Call Operator” push button at the end of each car.
2. We are currently testing a program internally. The greatest barrier to implementation is being able to provide the resources (staff) to receive and respond to customer contacts in real time. We are currently working with our own Public Safety Department; our contract Securitas security force; and the local jurisdictions we contract with for police services, including the City of St. Louis Police; St. Louis County Police; and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department. We agree that creating a direct link between Metro customers and Public Safety is critical.
3. The cameras aboard MetroLink and MetroBus vehicles do not provide a live video feed to Metro’s Public Safety Control Center; these feeds are recorded and retrieved at a later time. At peak, Metro has over 300 vehicles in operation, which produces a tremendous volume of data. Metro does have fixed and panning cameras at its MetroLink Stations and Transit Centers which do feed live directly to the Public Safety Control Center. Metro does track safety and security incidents reported by our Public Safety Department and local police entities, as well as customer contacts received by our Customer Service Department. We analyze this information for content, and occurrence in space and time. We are currently working with our Public Safety team to use this information to drive targeted patrols across the transit system.
4. A few years ago, Metro operated a “Respect Your Ride” campaign, which included signage across the system reminding customers to avoid nuisance behaviors that may be offensive to fellow customers and damaging to Metro property. We are discussing a re-launch of some version of such a campaign, perhaps with enhanced communication opportunities including greater promotion of the Security Dispatch phone number.
West End,
I will pass your comment along to our Maintenance of Way department for investigation and response. If you'd like a follow up response, please reach out to Metro Customer Service at customerservice@metrostlouis.org to provide your contact information.
Justin,
The traffic relief and MetroBus re-route plan related to the Loop Trolley Construction project is coordinated and reviewed by the City of St. Louis Streets Department, the Loop Trolley team and Metro. Traffic on surrounding streets, including Pershing, will increase during reconstruction of the DeBaliviere Bridge.
Aligo- an updated app timeline would be dependent on need.
Pat,
Yes, the app does offer a real-time map. Go to “Next Departures”, select the stop you are interested in, then select the “map” tab if you would like to see this information displayed visually. If multiple routes serve your stop, you will need to select your desired route at the bottom of the map.
Chris,
In the year ending June 30, 2014, there were over 17,000 summons issued for all violations (fare, noise, bad behavior.) The significant majority of these are for fare issues.
Pat,
Metro is exploring opportunities to improve the speed of some of our busiest arterial routes. Likely options for improving speed include traffic signal prioritization; limited stops; and our forthcoming smart card fare payment system, which will offer more streamlined fare payment at the time of boarding.
TimJim,
Interruptions to MetroBus service will be episodic for routes operating on Delmar and DeBaliviere. Metro is working with the Loop Trolley project team and City of St. Louis Streets Department to minimize the impact to our customers. Specific information about re-route path and schedules will be available in advance of each service interruption. The specific timing and duration of those re-routes will depend on the Loop Trolley project schedule, which is in progress.
Stlska,
You can refresh the bus location without closing the app by going back to the screen where you select your stop, and re-selecting the stop. This will update the position of the bus.
Amanda,
The new card system we will be putting in place will eliminate the paper transfer altogether. The smart cards will have value beyond the same day to the users who are discarding the paper transfers that are then being resold….. Buyer beware, there is also some counterfeiting going on, and we will prosecute when we come across such tickets… As far as your observations about guards watching it happen, I will pass that info onto out Chief of Public Safety.
Rohan,
The MetroLink Blue Line, which terminates at the Shrewsbury MetroLink Station, was constructed such that technically it could be extended southward. Any extension of MetroLink, including this “Metro South” corridor would require a decision by regional leadership to advance the study and design of this project. To date, Metro has not been tasked with advancing Metro South. The greatest barrier to any expansion of MetroLink is the significant capital and operating cost required to do so. That said, our regional leadership does have periodic conversations regarding possible MetroLink expansions.
Philip,
I think everyone is aware of general increase in criminal issues happening across the Metropolitan area. Public Transit is not immune. Actual crime on the MetroLink system is still well below the average of the area we serve. However we remain committed to protecting our customers and staff despite the increase in crime around the region.
Metro contracts with the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Clair County officers, security guards and fare inspectors, as well as employs a staff of public safety officers. More than 200 people are assigned to protect our system. Our partnership with law enforcement results in a very high incident of arrests for people committing crime on our system. Through the use of video surveillance and the fast actions of our guards and operators we work to make sure that crime doesn’t pay when committed on our system.
In addition to the work we already do to keep customers safe, we are working with law enforcement to increase their patrols of our system. As a result, there are more patrols this week than last, and there will be more next week as well.
Michelle,
Metro patrols the Forest Park DeBaliviere MetroLink Station, including the platform and surface access to the platform. We rely on the City of St. Louis police force to make arrests on and off the Metro transit system (see response below to Philip for more on this). We also work with the local community, including the police and the alderman, to improve public safety at the Forest Park DeBaliviere MetroLink Station. We are currently working with our public safety partners to increase patrols, including at the Forest Park DeBaliviere MetroLink Station.
It would be helpful to allow you to choose your stop from a list of menus. This helps when transfering buses and you may not be close to the area you are getting off at. In the app, it is hard to choose a stop unless you had GPS on. Please look into this option for a future release or update.
When are we going to visibly see improvement in safety on the train. IT is getting VERY dangerous and since my contact with your company as well as last Weeks beating of the individual, there has been no change. I haven't seen a security guard on the train in at least six months. Seriously, I haven't seen anything since the start of the fall semester.
What are you guys doing about security on the Metro stations in particular Forest Park station. I take the train daily to work and not a day goes by when there is either urine in the elevator, people selling or smoking marijuana near the elevator or the bus bench or someone is trying to sell you a transfer while the security guards stand by and let it happen. The really sad thing is that its the same people and security has to know what they are doing if I see it.