Metro Call-A-Ride
 | |
 A Metro Call-A-Ride van in 2011 | |
| Parent | Bi-State Development Agency |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Service area | City of St. Louis St. Louis County |
| Service type | Paratransit |
| Fleet | 123 vans |
| Daily ridership | 1,400 (weekdays, Q2 2024)[1] |
| Annual ridership | 278,900 (2023)[2] |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Operator | Metro Transit |
| Website | metrostlouis.org/metrocallaride |
Metro Call-A-Ride is a paratransit service operated by Metro Transit that serves parts of Greater St. Louis. In 2023, the service had an annual ridership of 278,900, or about 1,400 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
Service
[edit]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.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5][6]
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.[7]
Fleet
[edit]Metro's Call-A-Ride fleet is made up of 123 vans equipped with an accessible lift or ramp and priority seating.[8][9]
Roster
[edit]Call-A-Ride roster as of fiscal year 2022:[10]
| Fleet Number(s) | Quantity | Year Built | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Seating | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4330-4379 | 21 | 2009 | ElDorado | Aerotech | GMC Duramax 6.6L | 14 | [10] | |
| 4401-4425 | 17 | 2008 | 4418 retired; listed for auction in July 2023 | [11] | ||||
| 4430-4453 | 19 | 2008 | 4430, 4434 retired; listed for auction in July 2023 | [11] | ||||
| 4501-4537 | 37 | 2015 | Champion | Defender | Cummins ISB6.7 | [10] | ||
| 4601-4617 | 17 | 2016 | ||||||
| 4701-4722 | 22 | 2019 | Arboc | SOI | Ford 3.7L | |||
| 4801-4820 | 20 | 2020 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ "Metro Call-A-Ride". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
- ^ "New Service Area for Metro Call-A-Ride | April 2023". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- ^ Schrappen, Colleen (2023-09-17). "Call-A-Ride's struggles leave disabled St. Louis-area passengers in the lurch". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ Stefanescu, Victor (2023-06-22). "Call-A-Ride riders say service cuts hurt, ask Metro to rethink St. Louis-area's plan". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
- ^ Schlinkmann, Mark (2024-01-05). "Metro to increase bus runs on 17 routes as driver ranks increase". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Accessibility". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "System Profile". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ a b c "Transit Asset Management Plan FY2022" (PDF). East-West Gateway Council of Governments. September 21, 2022. p. 52. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "Public Surplus: Auction #3319010". 2023-07-24. Archived from the original on 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
External links
[edit]- Metro – Official website for Metro Transit
- Bi-State Development – Official website for Bi-State Development
- Citizens for Modern Transit – St. Louis transit advocacy group