riding Metrolink to UMSL, is it safe? (Brentwood, Forsyth: home, transfer)

[MadameFreckles]

I was just looking for some input as to how safe the metrolink is in your opinion. I have just begun an evening program at UMSL, and was very excited about the free metro pass that they give. UMSL parking permits are quite expensive and my I would love to not have to put more mileage on my old car. I also just like the idea of not sitting in traffic and getting a bit of a walk to the stop. I leave for school from home and am a short distance from the Brentwood/I-64 stop.

I rode once this week, for my program orientation, and am not sure I want to do it again though. My stop was fine, there were lots of people there and even though there wasn't a security person it in a fairly populous area and I didn't feel unsafe. The transfer at FP stop was fine, there were several security people there which was nice. However, at the UMSL South stop, it just felt eery. I didn't notice it when I got off, but waiting for the train to go back home, it was 9 at night, there weren't lots of people there and I was the only woman. The stop is kind of off to the side of the campus, and I just felt... unsafe. I was raised in West Co. though, so I don't know if it was just the whole fear of NoCo and the city that was kind of instilled in suburban kids rearing it's head. Do you think I'm just being overly panicky, is the metro generally safe? My latest class gets out at 8:50 pm, so I would be coming home after 9.

[moorlander]

I rode my bike to the Forsyth stop, transferred at the forest park/deb stop and rode to Umsl most days from 2008 to 2009. For me it was very relaxing.

I did not ride at night, however. Take it a few times and see if you're comfortable. It is safe.

[Dawn10am]

It is generally safe. However, I try to avoid using it at night. You might just want to try it a few times and you might get comfortable with it.

[wustu87]

I am somewhat of a "suburbanite" who rides the Metro every day and feel perfectly safe riding, but that is typically during business day "rush" hours. On those occasions when I come in late or leave early it is always during daylight hours, so even though the platforms and trains are pretty empty I still feel pretty safe. The only times I have ridden later at night are when the platforms and trains have been pretty packed (i.e. sporting games and special events downtown) so I always feel "safe", just anxious about trying to cram onto the next train. I have also never taken it to the UMSL stops so I do not know how those feel.

There should always be at least one security guard around somewhere at all times, but I have noticed sometimes they hide themselves away (like in a stairway to keep warm on cold days) which does not give you the most secure of feelings. Plus on the two platform stations, when you see they are located on the other platform on the other side of the tracks, you wonder what they could possibly do if some problem were to arise on your own platform. Hey, I have plenty of time to think of these things when I am waiting for the train every day!

[BioMechanical]

It's generally safe, but I have no experience with UMSL stops after dark. If you don't feel comfortable then just don't do it. Better safe than sorry.

MetroLink security is a joke ...

I was getting on at my stop this week and yet again there was nobody checking tickets, and just tons of people boarding the trains with no tickets. Tons of people everywhere and absolutely no line at the ticket machines. Where is the security guard? Sitting in his car keeping warm.

[jribe]

I would have to say that if you don't feel safe- just drive yourself. I think most people would say you're generally fine during the day- but at night is a whole different issue.

I would suggest trusting your own instincts- and then ask yourself if something did happen- can you protect yourself? If the answer is no, i would drive.

[BioMechanical]

I ride at night all the time. Nothing really happens. But I am a pretty big guy. I don't know if I would want my girlfriend riding at night. Really it is the walking to the platform / standing on the platform waiting on the train that worries me.

[pianist1972]

You can always go to the car where the driver is if you are concerned. It may not be where you need to be on campus, but the UMSL North stop is right by their police department. I've ridden Metrolink pretty late, but generally from the downtown to North Hanley, which is pretty populated.

[STL Aviator]

If safety is your primary concern, then take the train. You are much more likely to die driving a car than riding on Metrolink. More than 1 in 10,000 people were killed by cars in the U.S. in 2011. The platforms and trains have video surveillance and the criminals know that.