[11] In 1987, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments completed a study that recommended light rail with an integrated bus network as the next step forward for the St. Louis region’s public transit system.

[4]Construction on the region's first light rail line began in 1990 by reusing former railroad rights-of-way including downtown subway tunnels and the Eads Bridge.

[14]After St. Louis County voters defeated Proposition M in 2008, Metro shelved all expansion plans and was forced to cut 24 Missouri bus routes.

[15][16] In 2010, County voters passed Proposition A, a half cent sales tax increase, to restore service cuts and fund system expansion under the banner of Moving Transit Forward.

[24] In August 2022, Metro reopened the trolley and received a $1.26 million grant from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments to operate the service on a seasonal schedule for the next several years.

[29][30] The flood damaged nearly 5 miles (8.0 km) of track bed, two elevators, two communications rooms, three signal houses and destroyed two MetroLink vehicles and a Call-A-Ride van.

[34] In March 2023, Bi-State's board approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing the Metro team to plan and develop the Green Line MetroLink expansion with the City of St.

[35] That September, Bi-State's board approved a 4-year, $18.9 million contract with the joint venture Northside-Southside Transit Partners to provide consulting services for the design phase of the project.

[37] In May 2023, Metro received a $196.2 million federal grant to purchase new light rail vehicles to replace the remaining SD-400 cars.

[38] Six months later, Bi-State's board approved a contract with Siemens Mobility worth up to $390.4 million for as many as 55 battery-hybrid S200 light rail vehicles with delivery expected to begin in early 2027.

[23] In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in MetroBus ridership and initiated a labor shortage that had reduced Metro's ability to offer comprehensive service to passengers.

A 5.2-mile (8.4 km) extension of the Red Line from Shiloh-Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah broke ground in 2023 and is expected to be operational by 2026.

[66] In April 2023, in response to operator shortages, Metro announced that it would reduce its service area for Call-A-Ride, primarily in southwest and far north St. Louis County.

On February 18, 2022, Bi-State's board voted in favor of Metro Transit taking over operations after several financial setbacks and closures.

[24] In August 2022, Metro reopened the trolley and received a $1.26 million grant from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments to operate the service on a seasonal schedule for the next several years.

[73] Residents called to jury duty in Metro's service area may travel on MetroBus and MetroLink free of charge.

[82][83] In May 2023, Metro received a $196.2 million federal grant to purchase a fleet of new Siemens S200 light rail vehicles to replace the remaining 25 SD-400 cars.

[84] Six months later, Bi-State's board approved a contract with Siemens Mobility worth up to $390.4 million for as many as 55 battery-hybrid light rail vehicles to replace aging rolling stock.

Metro currently operates two Gomaco-built Council Crest replica streetcars from Portland, Oregon for the Loop Trolley.

[94] In January 2024, the agency announced that it would cease to sell advertising that covers the exterior of buses and trains, citing aesthetic reasons.

[95] Metro Transit's executive leadership is made up of President and CEO Taulby Roach and Chief Operating Officer Charles A. Stewart.

Known as "bumblebees" for their neon-yellow and black uniforms,[98] Metro security guards enforce fare collection and other rules, patrol trains, and help passengers.

[9][10] In 1981, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Local Mass Transit District Act allowing counties to levy up to a quarter cent sales tax for public transportation.

[9][106] Additional ballot initiatives are listed in the table below: In 2019, the St. Clair County Transit District was awarded $96 million in Illinois infrastructure funding to build a 5.2-mile (8.4 km) extension of the Red Line from Shiloh-Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah.

[116] That spring, Metro began rehabilitating the downtown subway tunnels,[117] including the Laclede's Landing, Convention Center, and 8th & Pine stations.

[122][123] In 2026, Metro expects to complete upgrades to the Supervisory Control Automated Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Public Address/Customer Information (PA/CIS) systems.

[125] In 2024, Metro Transit began adding turnstiles at all MetroLink stations as part of its $52 million Secure Platform Plan (SPP).

Stations will also receive a new fare collection system, more fences, passenger-assist telephones, and more than 1,800 cameras to be monitored at a center opened in November 2022 at Metro's Central Garage.

[131] In September 2023, Bi-State Development's board approved a 4-year, $18.9 million contract with the joint venture Northside-Southside Transit Partners to provide consulting services for the design phase of the project.

[135] Moving Transit Forward identified five potential MetroLink extensions as part of its long-range plan: North-South, Daniel Boone, MetroSouth, MetroNorth, and Madison County.