MetroLink riders at 13 stations in Missouri and Illinois on Monday saw the rollout of automated fare gates that require a ticket, as well as new camera security technology.
Officials said the plan will tighten security, modernize fare collection and improve user convenience.
Phase 1 of Metro Transit's Secure Platform Plan includes 13 of the 38 MetroLink stations. Eight are in Missouri, five are in Illinois. The total estimated cost for the whole system plan is $52 million.
Bi-State Development President and CEO Taulby Roach said the changes create a more secure environment for St. Louis.
"What it means for everyday transit users is that they can relax in their seat, they can feel comfortable," Roach said. "I like to think of transit as a neighborhood, albeit a moving neighborhood with all different people and so on. And what's the best thing about a neighborhood is making it safe and secure."
Roach said that the project has been in the works for years and that Metro is always looking for ways to move forward.
"I'd like to think that Metro Transit is always evolving, just like our city is evolving," Roach said. "It's obviously a lot different here today than it was in 1985, 1995, 2005. What we have to do is, don't get stuck in the past."
Roach said it's slowly introducing new technology to the public and has staff readily available to help customers with the new transit machines.
MetroLink will still have cash fares, but Roach said that using technology, like phones, to access the system is a key development.
"Eight years ago, there [were] many people who said that we couldn't do this, that we couldn't take an open system and change it to a closed system, but you know what, the public was asking in this investment to make it as safe and secure as possible, and that's what we're doing today."
Phase 2 of the plan is scheduled for July 27, totaling 26 updated MetroLink stations.
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