MetroLink services may be out for weeks due to flooding damage
Metro Transit updates customers on delays due to historic rainfall and flooding in the area. Some MetroLink services may be down for weeks.
Author: Alli Hebel, Elyse Schoenig
Published: 12:53 PM CDT July 26, 2022
Updated: 7:40 PM CDT July 27, 2022
ST. LOUIS — Metro Transit warns customers that their services are delayed due to flash flooding conditions on Tuesday.
Historic rainfall moved into the St. Louis area overnight and into the early morning, causing flash flooding.
Metro Transit announced that their MetroBus, MetroLink, and Metro Call-A-Ride are all affected by these conditions.
5 On Your Side talked to Bi-State Development President and CEO Taulby Roach, who represents Metro Transit. He said he's asking the Federal Transit Administration for FEMA money. He said this could mean up to 20 million dollars toward Metro Transit repairs after Tuesday's floods.
The company provided an update at around 5 a.m. Wednesday in regards to their services and the flooding.
The Red Line MetroLink trains are only operating between the Central West End and Shiloh-Scott stations. The Blue Line MetroLink trains are operating between Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 and University City-Big Bend stations.
MetroLink Station Shuttles will remain open to transport passengers by bus to the Lambert Airport Terminal #1 and the Central West End stations and between the University City-Big Bend and Central West End stations.
MetroLink trains are operating on a 20-minute schedule between the Central West End Station and Shiloh-Scott Station.
No Red Line trains are running between St. Louis Lambert International Airport and the Central West End Station. No Blue Line trains are operating between the Central West End Station and the University City-Big Bend Station.
Metro said to travel between the Central West End and the Shiloh-Scott stations, riders should use the Red Line train as no Blue Line trains are operating east of the Central West End Station.
Metro said riders traveling through these areas should allow 60 minutes for their commutes for the bus shuttles.
Metro said depending on the extent of the damage, MetroLink service may be out for two weeks or longer.
One train which was caught in the floodwaters at the Delmar Loop Station suffered significant damage.
5 On Your Side spoke to several passengers who said they experienced train delays and were struggling to make it to work on time.
"I just try to get up and go to work every day, it doesn't matter," MetroLink passenger Lajuan Price said. "Even if I'm late."
Price had to take a series of shuttle buses in order to get to his job. Another MetroLink passenger said taking a shuttle would've caused him to be at least 40 minutes late to work, so he said he had to call for a family member to avoid this.
"Now you've got to figure out a different route to where you're going, to your job, to your home, whatever it is," Elijah Dannenberger said. "It's a real problem."
Credit: Metro Transit
Flooding at Delmar Loop
Customers should allow extra time for their commute due to delays, closures, and detours caused by the flooding.
Flash flooding near Deer Creek caused delays in MetroBus vehicles on Tuesday out of the Brentwood MetroBus facility. Vehicles and resources are being relocated to other locations to support bus services.
Metro Call-A-Ride
Customers are experiencing delays due to inclement weather. Metro Transit says customers are being contacted directly about delays for specific trips.
Customers can find the full alert and which services and stations are affected on the Metro Transit website.
Keep up to date on the weather and alerts here.
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