EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill — Passengers will start seeing more security upgrades at MetroLink platforms beginning Monday afternoon in the Metro East. It's part of the transit agency's bigger plan to increase safety across the board.

The new security changes will start at the Emerson Park MetroLink Station in East St. Louis on Monday afternoon. Riders will see manned security and new platform gates.

MetroLink officials are asking passengers at Emerson Park to give themselves some more time for their commute as they navigate the new security procedures.

According to MetroLink officials, security team members will manually operate the new gates until a fare collection system is installed and integrated with the gating system. Passengers will have to show the security officer a valid pass or transit ticket before boarding.

The gates at three other MetroLink stations in St. Clair County will also be manned in weekly phases starting later in September. If everything goes as planned, that'll start the week of Sept.16 at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Station; the week of Sept. 23 at the Washington Park Station; and the week of Sept. 30 at the College MetroLink Station. These four stations are the first group to receive the security gates and new fencing.

Currently, installation of the security gates and fencing is underway at several stations in Missouri, including Delmar Loop, Forest Park-DeBaliviere, Central West End, Cortex, Grand, Union Station and Civic Center.

All 38 MetroLink stations should have these upgrades by January 2026.