by K Vaze

Created on: January 21, 2009

St Louis is one of the leading cities to offer most efficient and award winning public transportation services such as Metrolink and Merobus for its residents and visitors. As a former St Louisian I have used both of these extensively and can tell you for sure that if you want to explore St Louis or you live or work here there is no better way to go around. Here is a little guide to St Louis public transportation for prospective travelers.

The MetroLink

It is St Louis's light rail system that features clean, fast and timely trains to all the major destinations around the city. With more than 30 stops and close to 50 miles of tracks, and 2 major routes the Red and Blue line, you can choose your destination and whether you want to ride the metro bus or metro link. It operates from 4AM to 12:30 AM. So be sure you are not waiting for a train after midnight.

Tickets for Metrolink

You can purchase your tickets at any automatic ticket vending machines or TVM's at any station. Frequent travelers may also purchase weekly or monthly passes at discounted rate online. Children under 5 ride for free. For kids above 5 and seniors tickets are about half price than the normal fare.

* You can buy a one ride ticket for $2.25, which gives you 2 hours of time to complete your trip.

* If you plan to visit more than one destination the best option is to buy a two hour pass for $2.75, which allows you to make as many trips as you wish to and from that destination and it also includes rides on the metro bus.

* However if you plan to spend whole day visiting multiple destinations, buy a whole day pass for $7.50 which is ideal for tourists, with it you can ride metro link and metro bus from anywhere and as many times as you like.

How to ride a MetroLink

* Before you board the train you might need to validate your ticket. For that you will need to find a validator machine which is conveniently located at all the stations. Insert the ticket into the slot and it will validate the ticket for you. Many of the tickets like the two hour passes purchased at TVM's are prevalidated.

* Make sure you keep your valid ticket handy at all times, the Fare Inspector may get on at any station and check tickets randomly. If your ticket is invalid or expired you might need to pay a fine and purchase a new ticket at the next station.

* All the trains have signs displaying their destination on their front and sides. Once you are onboard stops are announced few minutes before the train stops so you will be prepared

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