Metro
Metro Transit is the public transit authority for the St. Louis bi-state region, operating MetroBus, MetroLink light rail, Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit, and Via Metro STL microtransit across Missouri and Illinois. It serves general commuters, university students, ADA riders, and visitors through an integrated, government-funded multi-modal system.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersSt Louis, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Metro does
Metro Transit is the public transit authority serving the St. Louis metropolitan area across Missouri and Illinois, operating as a Bi-State Development Enterprise. It runs an integrated multi-modal system comprising MetroBus (50+ fixed routes using diesel, battery-electric, and hybrid vehicles), MetroLink (46 miles of light rail across 38 stations on Red and Blue lines, operating daily from before 5 a.m. to about 1 a.m.), Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit (120+ accessible vans), and Via Metro STL microtransit (on-demand shared rides in parts of St. Louis County via partnership with Via). The system covers 500+ square miles with a fleet of approximately 400 buses and 83 light rail vehicles, supplemented by 24 free Park-Ride lots and Bike & Ride accommodations.
Metro's revenue model is a hybrid of farebox revenue (base fares of $1.00 bus / $2.50 rail, with 7-day, 30-day, and $175 semester passes), federal/state/local government funding (FTA grants, Illinois state funding, Proposition M), advertising, and partnership revenue (Destination Deals with local merchants). Pricing is differentiated by customer type (reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, Medicare cardholders, and children 5–12; free rides for ADA paratransit-eligible passengers via the On The Way With ADA program). The customer base is broad and horizontal — general commuters, college students (five universities participate in U-Pass programs), ADA-protected riders, tourists, and corporate employers — with no single customer dominating revenue.
Metro's technology stack includes the Transit app for trip planning and mobile fares, the Ride On smart card and Tap & Ride contactless payment system with fare capping, a Trip Planner powered by Google Transit, and free Wi-Fi on all vehicles via T-Mobile. The agency is undergoing a major capital modernization: a phased next-generation fare system with automated security gates activated at all 38 stations in 2026, a Secure Platform Plan adding gates and surveillance across the network, a partnership with Siemens for 55 new light rail vehicles (first deliveries 2027), a 5.2-mile rail extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (2026), and electric bus charging infrastructure. Reciprocal pass acceptance with Madison County Transit and St. Clair County Transit District extends effective regional reach.
Metro firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Metro
- Legal name
- Metro Transit (A Bi-State Development Enterprise)
- Website
- https://metrostlouis.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Metro Transit is the public transit authority for the St. Louis bi-state region, operating MetroBus, MetroLink light rail, Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit, and Via Metro STL microtransit across Missouri and Illinois. It serves general commuters, university students, ADA riders, and visitors through an integrated, government-funded multi-modal system.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Metro industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Transportation Services
- NAICS
- Urban Transit Systems (4851), Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Other Urban Transit Systems (485119), Special Needs Transportation (485991), Mixed Mode Transit Systems (485111)
- SIC
- Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metro/Urban Rail Operators (Integrated Multimodal Agencies) (TLAFAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- On-Demand Microtransit & Vanpool (App-Dispatched Shuttles) (THAIAGAF), Park-and-Ride / Express Commuter Bus Operators (TLAFAGAF), Suburban/Regional Commuter Bus Operators (TLAFAGAC)
Keywords
Where Metro is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Metro business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Transit Fares: Metro generates revenue through passenger fares including cash fares, passes (daily, weekly, monthly, semester), and mobile tickets sold through the Transit app and Ride On platform. Fares vary by mode (bus vs rail) and customer type (full vs reduced).
- Government Funding: Public transit authority funded by federal grants (FTA), state funding (Illinois), and local Proposition M funds in St. Clair County.
- Advertising: Revenue from advertising opportunities on Metro vehicles, stations, and digital platforms.
- Destination Deals Program: Partnership program with merchants offering discounts to Metro riders, creating community engagement and potential promotional revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Cash Base Fare - Bus |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Cash Base Fare - Rail |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Reduced Fare - Bus |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Reduced Fare - Rail |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | One-Day Pass |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | 7-Day Pass |
| Subscription | Monthly | 30-Day Pass |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | University Semester Pass |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Metro Call-A-Ride |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Via Metro STL |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels10 records
Metro product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Metro Transit operates an integrated multi-modal public transportation system serving the bi-state St. Louis metropolitan region across Missouri and Illinois. Its core services are MetroBus (50+ fixed bus routes using diesel, battery-electric, and hybrid buses across 500+ square miles), MetroLink light rail (46 miles of track across 38 stations on the Red and Blue lines), Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit (120+ accessible vans for ADA-qualified riders), and Via Metro STL on-demand microtransit in partnership with Via. Supporting offerings include Park-Ride facilities with 24 free lots, Bike & Ride accommodation, free Wi-Fi powered by T-Mobile, and digital tools such as the Transit app, Ride On smart card, Tap & Ride contactless payment, and Fare Capping.
Product overview
Metro Transit operates as an integrated multi-modal public transportation system serving the St. Louis metropolitan region across Missouri and Illinois. The core offerings consist of MetroBus (fixed-route bus service with 50+ routes using diesel, battery-electric, and hybrid vehicles), MetroLink (light rail system with 38 stations across 46 miles on Red and Blue lines), and Metro Call-A-Ride (paratransit service with 120+ accessible vans). Supporting services include Via Metro STL (on-demand microtransit in partnership with Via), Park-Ride facilities (24 free parking locations), Bike & Ride accommodation, and Free Wi-Fi on all vehicles powered by T-Mobile. Digital tools include the Transit App and Ride On App for trip planning and mobile fare payment, the Trip Planner powered by Google Transit, the Ride On reloadable smart card, and features like Tap & Ride (contactless payment) and Fare Capping (automatic savings). The system integrates with Madison County Transit and St. Clair County Transit District for regional pass acceptance, and is undergoing major infrastructure upgrades including a Next Generation Fare System with automated security gates, a Secure Platform Plan for station security, electric bus charging infrastructure, and a fleet replacement partnership with Siemens for 55 new light rail vehicles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ride On Card: Reloadable smart card for fare payment on Metro transit system with Tap & Ride functionality
- MetroGo
- Via Metro STL
Products and services
- MetroBus
- MetroLink
- Metro Call-A-Ride
- Via Metro STL
- Park-Ride
- Bike & Ride
- On The Way With ADA
- Student Passes (U-Pass and Semester Pass)
- Next-Generation Fare System (Ride On Card, Tap & Ride, Fare Capping, Automated Security Gates)
- Destination Deals
Quantifiable outcome
- Free parking at 24 Park-Ride lots saves riders parking costs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Metro
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Metro technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature9 records
Metro partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ViacorePartnership with Via to offer Via Metro STL on-demand microtransit service covering North, South, and West St. Louis County. Via's technology enables shared-ride matching and app-based booking for $2 per trip within service zones.
- T-MobilecoreT-Mobile powers free Wi-Fi on all MetroBus, MetroLink, and Metro Call-A-Ride vehicles. Metro secured $1.3 million in FTA grants plus matching funds from St. Clair County ($63,464) and Proposition M ($253,855) for the Wi-Fi infrastructure.
- SiemenscorePartnership with Siemens to design and manufacture 55 new light rail vehicles (LRVs) to replace the current MetroLink fleet. First deliveries expected in 2027, with design phase conducted in California.
- GooglecoreTrip Planner powered by Google Transit, enabling route planning across Metro services through Google's transit data platform.
- Transit AppcoreTransit app is Metro's official mobile app for real-time trip planning, bus tracking, and mobile fare purchase. Metro has integrated Via Metro STL booking into the Transit app for seamless multi-modal trips.
- Madison County Transit (MCT)coreRegional transit partnership accepting MCT Regional Passes on MetroLink and MetroBus, and MCT Senior/Half Fare IDs for reduced fare travel. MCT ADA Paratransit Free Ride ID accepted on Metro services.
- St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD)coreSCCTD accepts Metro fare products and vice versa. SCCTD has transitioned passes to the new Metro fare system. SCCTD Senior Fixed Route Free Ride passes and ADA paratransit passes accepted on MetroLink and MetroBus.
- MidAmerica St. Louis AirportminorSt. Clair County Transit District project to extend MetroLink 5.2 miles from Shiloh-Scott Station to a new station at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Metro competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Metro Transit (Minneapolis-St. Paul): Peer Midwest regional transit agency operating light rail, bus, and paratransit in the Twin Cities. Closely comparable multi-modal service mix, university pass programs, and microtransit strategy.
- Madison County Transit: Adjacent transit district in Illinois that accepts mutual fare products with Metro and provides regional bus service. Directly comparable in scale and bi-state cooperation model for cross-river St. Louis mobility.
- Kansas City Area Transportation Authority: Mid-sized Midwest urban transit agency operating bus, paratransit, and microtransit (RideKC) with similar population scale and multi-jurisdictional funding as Metro St. Louis.
- St. Clair County Transit District: Illinois transit partner that accepts Metro fares and is leading the MidAmerica Airport MetroLink extension. Comparable scope, funding structure, and bi-state coordination role.
Others
- Bi-State Development: Parent government entity governing Metro along with other regional development programs. Comparable as the organizational wrapper that channels public funding and political accountability for transit.
- Lyft: Private ride-hailing operator that competes with Metro for discretionary trips in the St. Louis region and is integrated via the Transit app. Comparable as a complementary/competitive urban mobility option.
Emerging players
- Via Transportation: Technology partner powering Via Metro STL microtransit service. Comparable as the operating microtransit platform behind Metro's on-demand zones, with broader deployments in other North American cities.
Broad incumbents
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA): Large multi-modal transit authority operating bus, regional rail, subway, and paratransit. Comparable integrated multi-mode model and university pass programs, though in a denser, larger region.
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART): Large multi-modal transit agency operating light rail, bus, and paratransit in a Sun Belt metro. Comparable integrated bus/rail/paratransit model with similar fare-capping and modern fare system rollouts.
- Chicago Transit Authority: Larger Illinois transit agency operating Chicago's bus and 'L' rail system. Comparable in multi-modal integration, fare products, and ADA paratransit, but serves a much larger urban footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Metro social profiles
Digital presenceMetro financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metro leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Metro funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metro M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Metro
What does Metro do?
Metro Transit operates an integrated multi-modal public transportation system serving the bi-state St. Louis metropolitan region across Missouri and Illinois. Its core services are MetroBus (50+ fixed bus routes using diesel, battery-electric, and hybrid buses across 500+ square miles), MetroLink light rail (46 miles of track across 38 stations on the Red and Blue lines), Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit (120+ accessible vans for ADA-qualified riders), and Via Metro STL on-demand microtransit in partnership with Via. Supporting offerings include Park-Ride facilities with 24 free lots, Bike & Ride accommodation, free Wi-Fi powered by T-Mobile, and digital tools such as the Transit app, Ride On smart card, Tap & Ride contactless payment, and Fare Capping.
Is Metro a public or private company?
Metro is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Metro founded?
Metro was founded in 1963. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Metro based?
Metro is headquartered in St Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Metro make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Transit Fares are the primary driver. The others are government Funding, advertising and destination Deals Program.
Who are Metro's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Metro Transit (Minneapolis-St. Paul), Madison County Transit, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and St. Clair County Transit District. Others are Bi-State Development and Lyft. Via Transportation is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Chicago Transit Authority.
Does Metro have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metro.
What industry is Metro in?
Metro's product category is Public Transportation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAEAG, Metro/Urban Rail Operators (Integrated Multimodal Agencies), with a secondary code of THAIAGAF, On-Demand Microtransit & Vanpool (App-Dispatched Shuttles). Its NAICS code is 4851 and its SIC code is 4100.