Metro Transit

Metro provides transportation around the St. Louis region by bus or light rail.

Metro St. Louis provides transportation around the St. Louis region by bus or light rail and special services for registered ADA-eligible customers.

Benefits-eligible WashU employees and full-time registered students are eligible for a U-Pass, which allows individuals to ride the MetroLink and Metro buses for free.

There are MetroLink stations and MetroBus stops on and within close walking distance to Danforth Campus as well as near North Campus, West Campus and Medical School Campus.

A current U-Pass and WashU ID, or payment of applicable fares, are required to ride all Metro St. Louis transit services.

Follow Metro St. Louis on social media for real-time updates.

Register for a Metro U-Pass

Planning Your Trip

  • Visit WashU Rides, our ride-matching and trip-planning platform, to view an interactive map with free MetroLink Park & Ride locations as well as the MetroBus routes that come directly to campus.
  • Download the Transit mobile app to explore your options, view a map featuring real-time arrival countdowns, bus and train schedules and locations. The GO feature will even notify you when to leave to catch your bus or train, when a stop is approaching, when to exit and more.
  • Go multimodal and bring your bike on the MetroLink or MetroBus. Learn more at Metro’s Bike & Ride.

Metro Bus Routes Serving the WashU Area

The following routes, which can also be caught at the Mallinckrodt Bus Plaza, were designed specifically for our WashU community:

  • #1 Gold
    This route connects the Danforth and Med School campuses, in addition to servicing residential neighborhoods between both campuses.  Route & Schedule
  • #2 Red
    The #2 route services neighborhoods north of campus, St. Louis Galleria mall, Brentwood Promenade (Trader Joe’s, Target, Micro Center) and Walmart.  Route & Schedule
  • #5 Green
    Services 560 Music Center, north of campus neighborhoods, U-City Loop, and the Lewis Collaborative. Route & Schedule

Schedule and route information for all Metro bus lines

Tips for Riding the MetroBus

As bus approaches, signal to the operator that you want to board by raising your hand. Once on board, swipe your U-Pass through the card reader and show the driver your WashU ID. When approaching your destination, pull the cord or press the strip to indicate your desired stop.

MetroLink

MetroLink is a light-rail system that runs from the Shiloh-Scott station in Illinois to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Shrewsbury in Missouri. It provides a car-free way for the WashU community to travel to popular downtown St. Louis locations and the airport.

Getting to MetroLink Stations

There are two MetroLink stations located on campus.  The Big Bend station, located at the intersection of Big Bend and Forest Park Parkway (southeast corner). The Skinker station, at Forest Park Parkway and Skinker (southwest corner). The university provides the Danforth Campus Circulator shuttle that provides shuttle service from the MetroLink stations to various locations around the Danforth Campus and the South 40.

Tips for Riding the MetroLink

There are two MetroLink train stations on the Danforth Campus along Forest Park Parkway, the Red Line and the Blue line. Before boarding, look at the red or blue signs on the train to ensure you are on the correct train and heading in the correct direction. Operators will announce upcoming stations or review the map in your train car to see how many stops you have to ride. Once on board, you will be asked to show your valid U-Pass along with your WashU ID. If you are unable to present both to Metro personnel or fare inspectors, you could be issued a citation.

Metro Call-A-Ride

Metro Call-A-Ride service is available to those who are not able to use MetroLink or MetroBus. Advanced reservations are required and priority reservations are given to those who qualify for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services. Call-A-Ride accepts the Metro U-Pass.

Metro Park & Ride

If you don’t live close to a bus stop, you can park for free at a Metro Park & Ride to take a MetroBus or MetroLink directly to campus. Many Park & Rides are located at MetroLink stations that enable you to take a train directly to a MetroLink station on or very near our campuses, including two MetroLink stations on Danforth Campus, one within a few minute walk to both North Campus and West Campus and one on the Medical Campus.