In recognition of National Dump the Pump Day, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) offered free monthly transit passes in partnership with Metro Transit and the St. Clair County Transit District – valued at $78 – during a 24-hour registration period. The response was overwhelming. Nearly 1,000 St. Louisans signed up to give transit a try with 250 monthly passes quickly claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Recognizing the incredible demand and opportunity to introduce more people to transit, CMT expanded the effort to ensure no eligible registrant was left out by distributing one-day passes to all others.
This initiative is giving hundreds upon hundreds of new transit riders the opportunity to experience firsthand how convenient, reliable and cost-effective public transportation can be. Whether commuting to work, running errands or exploring the region, MetroLink and MetroBus helps riders save money on gas and parking, avoid traffic and reduce vehicle wear and tear. By encouraging more people to shift away from single-occupancy vehicles, the effort also plays an important role in improving air quality across the bi-state region by reducing emissions and taking cars off area roads.
“The overwhelming response reinforces a simple truth: when people are given the chance to try transit, they embrace it,” stated Kimberly Cella, CEO of CMT. “We are creating new riders, building momentum and showcasing how accessible transit can be for everyday trips across the St. Louis region—all while helping reduce the number of vehicles on the road and contributing to cleaner, healthier air for our communities.”
To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org.
