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St. Louis Extension open:
The 17.4 mile Metrolink extension from East St Louis to Belleville, Ill opened on Friday, May 4, 2001. This was followed by two days of free rides. Regular service started on Monday, May 7. The line was completed nearly five months ahead of schedule and within its USD339.2 million budget. Light rail trains will be through-routed from Illinois via the Eads Bridge and the downtown subway to the existing line to the airport. The line uses articulated LRV's built by Siemens. All stations are high-platform to provide level loading. Bi-State now joins the Portland Tri-Met LRT system in operating long LRT sections on each side of downtown joined together to form a long through route.
Reports indicate that cars were running full at times on the first day of normal service with some parking lots full to overflowing. Fares on the system remains the same as before the extension with a single ride for 1 stop or the full length of the line being USD1.25.
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10 May 2001
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