Keeping Metro St. Louis Moving with Microtransit
The Challenge
In 2017, St. Louis Metro recognized that they needed to make significant changes to their MetroBus system to better meet the mobility needs of their riders. In response, they initiated Metro Reimagined, a two-year process to examine the existing transit system and engage with their customers to identify where the system could be improved. The agency chose to concentrate services on high frequency corridors, and increased the frequency of most Metro bus lines. The agency also explored alternative and innovative services to expand availability into under-served areas, where traditional bus services didn’t meet the needs of the community.
The Solution
In 2019, Metro partnered with Lyft to help St. Louis residents more easily connect with the MetroBus and MetroLink system through the MetroConnect program. This pilot program, which provides $1 Lyft fares to eligible riders, is aimed at serving people who live in neighborhoods that are far from bus stops. Riders can use the $1 Lyft rideshare ride to get to the nearest bus stop or transit center, and then board a MetroLink train or MetroBus. To access this discount, riders open the Lyft app and enter the program’s dedicated code, and the special $1 cost will automatically be applied on eligible trips.
In 2020, this program has expanded to supplement service in areas where transit service has been suspended due to COVID-19. Metro has designated new corridors to offer first/last-mile connections via the Lyft platform, using the same program design as the pilot program. This expanded service helps to move transit riders to and from the core and remaining fixed routes services in the city.
Outcome and Impact
Lyft’s partnership has helped embed system flexibility into Metro’s wider offering, adapting to everything from bus route restructuring, temporary construction, and even a global pandemic. The agency’s ability to quickly adapt to changing needs has helped keep communities moving, while still drawing rider’s towards the agency’s existing transit services.
“Our partnership with Lyft has been a key component in the recent redesign of the St. Louis region’s transit system, which is delivering services that better meet the needs of our passengers,” Lisa Cagle said. “With Lyft, we have been able to offer our customers affordable and convenient first mile-last mile services in key transit corridors. At the same, it has also allowed us to reallocate our resources so we can focus on doing what we do best, providing transit options that are more direct, more frequent and more efficient.”
Lyft’s transit partnerships are supported by a team of city planners who bring breadth and depth of experience in transit planning and operations. To learn more about our work with transit and cities, visit our website or email us at transit@lyft.com.
