St. Louis' Metro Transit continues to improve safety, security

Metro Transit-St. Louis' efforts to improve safety and security on its system in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois continues to make progress, according to a latest independent quarterly scorecard. 

In partnership with the East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWGCOG), WSP prepares quarterly assessments of the agency. The assessments track the agency's progress in implementing 99 recommendations outlined in a strategy approved by Metro Transit-St. Louis, bi-state area leadership, police partners and the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners. All the recommended actions fall within these six categories: security strategy, police and security staffing, procedures and training, fares and fare enforcement, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and technology.

“The second quarter report indicates we are continuing to make progress in most areas. It is important to note that the quarterly reports give us the opportunity to refocus our efforts in specific areas where additional work needs to completed — ranging from improving the visibility of our new code of conduct signage and establishing and enforcing clear, to consistent and transparent policies related to fare enforcement," said Taulby Roach, president and chief executive officer of Metro Transit-St. Louis parent Bi-State Development, in a press release.

Since the initial scorecard was released in September 2019, the majority of the 99 recommendations have been partially or fully addressed, agency officials said. WSP and EWGCOG have expressed confidence the impacted scores will improve in the next quarter, they added.

The items yet to be fully addressed are predominantly found in the fares and fare enforcement, CPTED and technology categories. Some of the recommended items are not under Metro Transit-St. Louis’ authority or responsibility, agency officials said.