Missouri’s Metro Transit will begin activating a new fare collection system and automated security gates at MetroLink stations on July 6, marking a significant milestone in the agency's multi-year effort to create a controlled-access rail network.

The first phase of implementation will bring integrated fare validation and automated gate access to 13 MetroLink stations across Missouri and Illinois. Riders will be able to access platforms using mobile tickets, smart fare media, or fares purchased from ticket vending machines.

The rollout is part of Metro Transit’s Secure Platform Plan, a systemwide initiative that transforms MetroLink from an open-platform operation to a gated-access environment designed to enhance security, reduce fare evasion, and improve the customer experience.

“This is more than an upgrade, it’s a transformation of how our region experiences transit,” said Taulby Roach, president and CEO of Bi-State Development. “This investment fulfills our promise to deliver a safer, more reliable, and more secure transit system for the region.”

The agency plans to complete the deployment in three phases. A second phase scheduled for July 17 will expand the system to 26 MetroLink platforms, representing approximately 91 percent of all MetroLink fare sales. The final phase is expected to begin August 17, pending delivery of the remaining ticket vending machines, with the new MidAmerica Airport MetroLink Station anticipated to come online separately later this year.

What Transit Leaders Need to Know

Metro Transit’s implementation highlights a growing trend among transit agencies investing in integrated fare collection and controlled station access as part of broader safety and security strategies.

Several key elements of the rollout may offer lessons for other agencies considering similar investments:

• Phased deployment: Metro is introducing the technology in stages to minimize operational disruptions and allow for adjustments before systemwide implementation.
• Customer support strategy: The agency will deploy ambassadors, security personnel, and support staff at activated stations to help riders adapt to the new technology and gate access procedures.
• Mobile-first fare collection: Riders are being encouraged to adopt digital fare payment through the Transit app, reflecting the industry's continued shift toward contactless and account-based fare systems.
• Security and fare enforcement integration: By combining automated gate access with modern fare technology, Metro Transit aims to strengthen security, improve fare compliance, and reduce unauthorized platform access.

As agencies nationwide evaluate investments in fare modernization, Metro Transit’s rollout provides an example of how fare collection technology can be paired with station security upgrades to support operational, customer experience, and safety objectives.