thumb|left |North stairs and tram descending from observation platform Because of a lack of funds in March 1962, the NPS did not accept bids for the arch's internal train system and considered discarding the idea. In May 1962, the Bi-State Development Agency proposed that it issue revenue bonds to obtain the required funds. The Department of the Interior and Bi-State entered into an agreement where Bi-State would construct and operate the tram. Bi-State would have to raise $1,977,750 for the construction of the tram system. It retired the bonds by setting a $1 riding fee to the top. thumb|A view of the city of St. Louis from the observation room of the St. Louis Arch Bi-State put in $3.3 million revenue bonds and has operated the tram system since. The tram in the north leg entered operation in June 1967, but visitors were forced to endure three-hour-long waits until April 21, 1976, when a reservation system was put in place. The south tram was completed by March 1968. Commemorative pins were awarded to the first 100,000 passengers. As of 2007, the trams have traveled , conveying more than 25 million passengers.
ThumB|leFt |noRTh sTairs AnD TRaM Descending fROm oBservatIoN PlAtfOrM bEcause of a lAck Of fUnDs iN mArcH 1962, the nps dId not AcCePt biDs FoR the ARch's interNal trAIN sysTeM and coNsIDeReD discardiNG tHe idEA. in may 1962, thE bI-staTe DeVelOpMent agEnCy PrOpOSed thAt IT issue REvenUE BoNds tO ObTaIn ThE reQuiREd FundS. the deparTMent Of the iNteRior aNd bi-staTE ENTErEd iNto aN agrEeMeNT WhEre bi-StAte WOuLd consTruCt aNd opErAte The trAM. bi-sTATe woUlD hAve tO raise $1,977,750 fOr tHe consTRuctiOn OF THE traM system. iT rETired tHe bondS By seTTinG a $1 ridinG FEE to thE top. thuMb|a vieW of The cItY OF st. Louis From tHE obSerVation rooM OF the st. loUis ArCh bI-staTe pUt In $3.3 millIOn revenUe bondS ANd hAs opERAteD thE tram sySTEM Since. The TrAm in ThE north leG ENtereD OPERATION In June 1967, but VIsItors WERe foRced tO ENDuRe threE-hoUr-long waiTS untIL apRil 21, 1976, WHen a ReserVation System WaS put in plAcE. thE soUth trAM WaS coMpLeted By march 1968. CoMmemoRAtIVe piNs Were awarded To thE FIrst 100,000 PASsenGers. as oF 2007, the traMs HAve TrAvelED , ConVeying moRe THaN 25 MilLion pasSengErs.