ST. LOUIS - A major safety overhaul is rolling out across the Metrolink system and the changes are already making a difference.

A $61 million safety upgrade is coming to every Metrolink station across Missouri and Illinois—all 38 of them, plus a 39th at MidAmerica Airport.

From fewer incidents to more riders, metro officials say their secure platform plan is delivering results even before all the stations are upgraded. 

The new Metro secured platform is designed to make riding Metrolink safer, from security cameras to security gates.

"We've already seen about a 50% drop in incident rates at those locations, all when over-year ridership is up 300,000 riders over last year. 60% of that increase is attributed to those 11 gated locations," said Kevin Scott, vice president of Public Affairs and Security of Metro St. Louis.

Crews are installing high-security gates, fencing, and better lighting, all connected to a 24/7 real-time camera center.

"That proactive approach lets us respond to problems before they escalate," Scott said.

Over the years, Metrolink security has faced serious challenges.

Just a few years ago a metro guard at the Delmar Loop Station was shot and killed. In 2024, a 19-year-old was shot and killed at the Forest Park Station.

St. Louis resident Jaqualla Shield shared with FOX 2 that she feels safer because of the new measure, citing homelessness and crime.

"It's very important to have a security system like this; it's making us feel safer," Earl Davis, another St. Louis resident, said.

Metro Officials say the upgrades are only the beginning and they are expecting more stations to go online; they hope this sets a standard for safety. All 39 stations will be upgraded by Jan. 31, 2026.