Peak Ozone Season Is Here. Your Actions Matter. Transit Matters.
When summer hits its peak, so does poor air quality. Rising temperatures and transportation-related
emissions can combine to create dangerous levels of ozone air pollution.
Together with the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit, we can ALL take simple steps,
like taking transit, to help prevent a red day from happening.
Keep scrolling to learn more and to register for a FREE transit pass.
🚦 What Is a Red Day?
A “Red Day” refers to a day when the air quality is classified as “Unhealthy” on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale. This indicates that the air contains higher levels of ground-level ozone, which forms when sunlight meets emissions from cars, fuels and everyday activities – and is unhealthy for everyone to breathe, especially children, seniors and people with existing respiratory conditions. These days are preventable – but only if we act.
🛑 How Can You Help STOP a Red Day?
Small changes can have a big impact. Every action you take helps clear the air.
🚇 Take Transit as fewer cars = fewer emissions! You can use MetroLink and MetroBus to get to school, work, appointments, sports and entertainment venues, and everywhere else you need to go. Forgoing your personal vehicle, even if just occasionally, can make a big impact. Give transit a try by registering below to receive a FREE Metro Adventure Day Pass (valued at $5) via mail for unlimited rides on transit on the day of your choice.
Here are other ways to do your share for cleaner air and
reduce transportation-related emissions:
⛽ Fuel Smart: Fill up your gas tank before 8 AM or after 8 PM. Fuel vapors contribute to ozone formation in the heat.
🌫️ Avoid “Topping Off” Your Tank: That extra squeeze after the pump clicks? It doesn’t help – it just releases more harmful gasoline
vapors into the air.
🚗 Don’t Idle Your Vehicle: Turn off your engine if you’re parked for more than 30 seconds, especially at schools or drive-thrus.
Idling wastes fuel and pollutes the air.
📦 Trip Chain: Combine errands into one trip to reduce miles driven and emissions released.
🚙 Drive Clean: Keep your car well-tuned for better fuel economy and cleaner air.
Check out the tips section of our website to learn more HERE.
Why It Matters?
Ozone pollution doesn’t just affect the environment — it impacts your health. Exposure to polluted air can cause difficulty breathing, coughing or throat irritation, worsening asthma or lung disease and many more complications. According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, St. Louis ranks 21st overall in the nation for most polluted U.S. cities by ozone. So, let’s make a positive change for cleaner air, healthier lungs and fewer red days.
📝 Register TODAY to Receive a FREE Transit Day Pass
📆 Stay Informed to Breathe Better, Live Better
👉 Sign up for air quality alerts and get notified when a “Red Day” is forecasted HERE.
✅ Get your friends, family, and workplace involved.
📢 Post your efforts on social media and keep up with others using #NoRedDaySTL.
🖱️ Visit CMT-STL.org or CleanAir-StLouis.com to learn more.