Getting to Work in St. Louis Without a Car: Metro Transit Guide
Last verified: September 29, 2026. Fares, routes, and schedules change. Confirm everything on metrostlouis.org before you rely on it for a first day of work.
A job you cannot reach is not really a job. In the Now Hiring In St. Louis group, "how would I even get there?" comes up almost as often as "who is hiring?" This guide covers what Metro Transit offers, what it costs, how to plan a commute to the big employment areas, and how to make it work when your shift starts at 5 a.m. or ends after midnight.
The basics: what Metro runs
MetroLink is the light rail. According to Metro's MetroLink page, there are two lines and 38 stations across about 46 miles, with service seven days a week from before 5 a.m. to about 1 a.m.
- The Red Line runs between Lambert Airport Terminal #1 in Missouri and Shiloh-Scott in Illinois.
- The Blue Line runs between Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 in Missouri and Fairview Heights in Illinois.
- The two lines share track through the middle of the system, so a rider on the shared stretch can take whichever train comes first.
MetroBus fills in everything the rail does not reach. Routes change periodically. Metro's homepage announced schedule and route changes to nine Missouri MetroBus routes on September 14, 2026, including the end of the #5 Green route, with no changes to MetroLink or Illinois MetroBus routes. Expect more adjustments over time. Always check the current map or the trip planner rather than a printed schedule or an old screenshot.
Metro Call-A-Ride is paratransit for people with disabilities who cannot use accessible MetroLink and MetroBus. It is a shared-ride van service. Reservations are made at 314-982-1505 (or 711 for Relay Missouri) from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, or in the MetroGo! app, according to Metro.
Via Metro STL is an on-demand, shared-ride service in three St. Louis County zones (North, West, and South). It is meant to solve the "last mile" problem: getting from a bus stop or station to a workplace that fixed routes do not reach.
What it costs
These figures come from Metro's fares page as of the date above.
| Fare | Price |
|---|---|
| MetroBus cash base fare | $1.00 |
| MetroLink cash base fare | $2.50 |
| Reduced cash fare (bus / rail) | $0.50 / $1.25 |
| One-day pass (bus and rail) | $5.00 |
| 7-day pass | $27.00 |
| 30-day pass | $78.00 |
| 30-day reduced pass | $39.00 |
| Call-A-Ride trip | $2.00 |
| Via Metro STL trip | $2.00 (up to 7 miles) |
One discrepancy: the St. Clair County Transit District page lists MetroBus at $2.00 adult and $1.00 reduced, while Metro's page lists $1.00 cash. Since Metro operates the service, use Metro's figure, but ask at the farebox or customer service if it matters to your budget. Fares change, so confirm the current amounts on metrostlouis.org before you budget. Reduced fares require a valid Metro, St. Clair County, or Madison County ID, according to Metro.
Fare capping. Metro's new fare system includes what it calls Tap & Ride. Per Metro, the system tracks what you have spent and stops charging you once you reach the price of a pass, so you are guaranteed the lowest fare. For a worker who rides every day, that means you do not have to guess whether a day pass or a monthly pass is cheaper.
How to pay. Options listed by Metro include the Transit app (QR-code tickets and passes), the Ride On app, the reloadable Ride On Smart Card, and ticket vending machines at MetroLink stations. Cash is still accepted on MetroBus and at the machines.
MetroLink now has gates. Metro says riders buy a fare, validate it by scanning a QR code or tapping a card, and then pass through an automated gate. Do not board without a validated fare.
Via. Metro's Via page lists a $2 trip of up to 7 miles within the service zones. Ask Metro whether any combined Via-plus-transit fare is currently offered. Via can be booked in the app or by phone at 636-251-3328 for riders without a smartphone.
Reduced fares and free rides
- Children: ages 5 to 12 pay half price, and children 4 and under ride free with proof of age.
- Seniors 65 and older: half-price fares with a Senior Reduced Fare Permit.
- ADA paratransit customers: ask Metro about fare options on MetroBus and MetroLink. We did not verify current ADA fixed-route fare rules.
Card changeover: Metro has been replacing the old Red ADA Paratransit Gateway Cards with new Ride On cards and has announced it would stop accepting the old Red cards on MetroBus and MetroLink at the end of September 2026. If you are an ADA paratransit rider and still have an old card, check metrostlouis.org for the current deadline and replacement steps rather than relying on a date printed here. Senior reduced-fare riders should also check the site for which ID they need.
Illinois residents: the St. Clair County Transit District says its Senior Pass (residents 65 and older in its service area) provides free MetroBus and MetroLink rides, and its Benefit Access Program provides free Illinois transit for eligible state residents but, per SCCTD, does not allow free transportation in St. Louis County. Passes are available at Belleville MetroLink Station and other outlets, so check SCCTD's page before going. The same page notes that Madison County Transit and St. Clair County Transit passes are accepted on Metro through reciprocal agreements, according to Metro.
Commute by commute: where people actually work
We are not going to invent travel times, because they depend on your start point, the hour, and construction. Use these as a planning frame, then run the exact trip in the planner.
Downtown. Most rail service runs through or near Downtown, and many bus routes end there. It is the easiest place in the region to reach without a car. If you work a shift near the stadium or convention area, check the date-specific service notes on event days.
Central West End, Cortex, and Barnes-Jewish/WashU medical campus. MetroLink stops at the Central West End and Cortex stations, which are close to each other on the Red and Blue lines. Hospital and research employers are big hirers here. Check the trip planner for train frequency at your time of day. Walk the last stretch during daylight once before your first shift, so you know which entrance to use.
Clayton. The Clayton Transit Center is on MetroLink, and law firms, banks, and other offices are within walking distance or a short bus ride. If you are starting work at a Clayton employer, ask HR about parking and transit subsidies, since many downtown-area employers offer them.
Lambert Airport area. The Red Line serves Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, per Metro. Airport employers usually have early and late shifts, so compare your first and last trains against your schedule (see the shift-work section below).
North County. Fixed-route bus service exists, but coverage thins out in some areas. This is where Via Metro STL's North zone (check the Via app for exact boundaries) can fill gaps. A single Via trip is limited to seven miles. Also check whether the employer runs a shuttle from a station.
Illinois side. MetroLink reaches East St. Louis, Belleville, Fairview Heights, and Shiloh-Scott, so you can commute across the river without a car. Confirm which train you need in the trip planner. Fares, transfers, and county-specific passes differ by agency, so check both Metro and SCCTD (or Madison County Transit, if you are in Madison County).
Shift-work strategy
Transit users working nights and early mornings have to plan differently.
- Compare your shift to the first and last train. Metro says MetroLink runs from before 5 a.m. to about 1 a.m., but the first and last trains differ by station and direction. Look up your specific station and direction in the trip planner.
- Have a backup for closing time. If you get off after the last train, ask whether coworkers carpool, whether the employer offers a ride program, or whether Via or a rideshare covers the gap for one leg of the trip.
- Ask about the schedule at the interview. You can say, "I take transit, and the last train leaves at X. Would the schedule work?" Employers would rather hear it up front than lose you in week two.
- Build in a buffer. Take the train that arrives 20 to 30 minutes before you need to clock in. Late arrivals are the fastest way to lose a new job.
- Watch for planned closures. Metro posts weekend closures and single-track work on its homepage (for example, a weekend closure between Forest Park and Grand stations for bridge maintenance with bus shuttles was posted for early October 2026). Check rider alerts the week before your shift starts.
- Test the trip once. Ride the route at the same hour you would for the job, if you can, before your first day.
Mistakes to avoid
- Trusting a schedule that is more than a few weeks old.
- Boarding MetroLink without validating your fare.
- Waiting until the last minute to replace an old ADA Gateway Card.
- Taking a job that ends after the last train without a backup plan.
- Skipping the transit question because you are afraid it will cost you the job.
FAQ
Can I use one pass on both the Missouri and Illinois sides? Metro and SCCTD have reciprocal acceptance for some passes, according to Metro. Ask which specific pass you have and check before you buy.
Do I need a smartphone? No. Cash is accepted on MetroBus and at MetroLink ticket machines, and Via has a phone line.
Is there a discount for low-income riders? The sources I read list reduced fares for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, and a free program on the Illinois side for qualified benefit recipients. If you think you may qualify for something else, ask Metro customer service.
Who do I ask if my bus route changed? Use the trip planner or Metro's customer care line, and check rider alerts.
Sources
- Metro Transit: Fares & Passes
- Metro Transit: Next Generation Fare System
- Metro Transit: MetroLink
- Metro Transit: Call-A-Ride
- Metro Transit: Via Metro STL
- St. Clair County Transit District: Fares & Passes
Keep looking
Join the free Now Hiring In St. Louis Facebook group to ask members which routes work for their jobs, or get free job alerts. We are not affiliated with Metro Transit.