Metro Call-A-Ride
Metro Call-A-Ride is a paratransit service operated by Metro Transit that serves parts of Greater St. Louis. In 2025, the service had an annual ridership of 278,900, or about 1,400 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2025.
 | |
 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, Q4 2025)[1] |
| Annual ridership | 278,900 (2025)[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 2025, the service had an annual ridership of 278,900, or about 1,400 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2025.
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 operator ranks to 124, up from 102 in November 2023 but still below the 201 budgeted. Despite the increase in drivers, Metro must reduce missed trips due to the lack of drivers before increasing the Call-A-Ride service area.[7] By the fall of 2024, Call-A-Ride had reduced trip denial rates from 42.5% to less than 1%[8] and increased its operator ranks to 186.[9]
In 2025, Metro launched new scheduling software that includes a smartphone app and web-based portal for managing trips and real-time vehicle tracking updates.[10]
Fleet
[edit]Metro's Call-A-Ride fleet is made up of 123 vans equipped with an accessible lift or ramp and priority seating.[11][12]
Roster
[edit]Call-A-Ride roster as of fiscal year 2022:[13]
| Fleet number(s) | Quantity | Year built | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4330-4379 | 21 | 2009 | ElDorado | Aerotech | GMC Duramax 6.6L | |
| 4401-4425 | 17 | 2008 | ||||
| 4430-4453 | 19 | Aerotech CNG | Cummins Westport ISL G | GM 4-Speed Automatic | ||
| 4501-4537 | 37 | 2015 | Champion Defender | Freightliner M2 35 | Cummins ISL9 | Allison 2500 PTS |
| 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 Fourth Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Metro Transit Making Steady Progress on Improvements to Call-A-Ride Service (Trip denial rates have decreased from 45% to less than 1%)". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ^ "Board of Commissioners Meeting February 2025" (PDF). Bi-State Development Agency. p. 386. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
- ^ "Metro Call-A-Ride launches new scheduling software". FOX 2. 2025-01-13. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ^ "Accessibility". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "System Profile". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Transit Asset Management Plan FY2022" (PDF). East-West Gateway Council of Governments. September 21, 2022. p. 52. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
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