“Members of the public need to feel confident that MetroLink trains and stations are safe,” Stenger said in a statement Wednesday.

The statement also said the police officers would also assist Metro staff in supervising security and fare enforcement personnel.

The cost of doubling county patrols would be absorbed by the half-cent mass transit sales tax approved by voters in 2010, but needs the approval of the St. Louis County Council. About $2 million a year comes from that fund to pay for officers, according to Stenger’s office, and that number would grow to nearly $4 million with the additional officers.

The fund has about $35 million in it, with $2.5 million coming in monthly.

John Nations, president and chief operating officer of Bi-State Development, which oversees Metro, commended Stenger for taking action to thwart additional criminal activity on the light rail routes.

“It’s welcome news,” Nations said, because Metro must rely on local law-enforcement through contracts.

The idea of additional police has been brewing in recent months.