Hundreds of miles of trails on both sides of the river connect to transit stops, making it easy—and seamless—to explore the region using a combination of bus, train and trails. Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is therefore partnering with St. Clair County Transit District, Great Rivers Greenway and Madison County Transit to encourage residents to “Mix Up How You Move” this summer. Through Aug. 31, area residents are encouraged to visit MixUpHowYouMove.com to register for a FREE Metro Transit Day Pass (valued at $5 and good for unlimited rides on MetroLink and MetroBus on the day of their choosing), and to get information about the interconnecting trail systems in St. Louis, St. Clair and Madison counties with direct access to transit.
Beyond offering a fun and flexible way to get around, this initiative also supports cleaner air across the St. Louis region. By choosing transit, biking or walking instead of driving for even a portion of daily trips, residents can help reduce vehicle emissions that contribute to ground-level ozone and poor air quality, especially during the warmer summer months.
“With trails and transit so well connected throughout the region, there’s never been a better time to get out and explore,” said Kimberly Cella, CEO of CMT. “This summerlong initiative makes it simple, affordable and fun for residents to leave the car behind and mix up how they move. Our hope is if St. Louisans try it for fun and see the benefits, they may be willing to try for more trips, including work.”
Great Rivers Greenway has 140 miles of greenways across the St. Louis region, including the St. Vincent, Brickline and River des Peres greenways, which connect to the UMSL North, Rock Road, Wellston, Grand Cortex and Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 Transit Centers. St. Clair County Transit District’s MetroBikeLink System consists of more than 39 miles of interconnecting trails and bike paths in St. Clair County, Ill. The main artery of the MetroBikeLink System is a trail running adjacent to the MetroLink alignment. It begins at the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center and extends 14 miles, connecting the College, Belleville, Swansea, Memorial Hospital and Fairview Heights Transit Centers. A seventh station will soon be added, as a 4.3-mile trail nears completion as part of the MetroLink expansion to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Madison County Transit has 138 miles of scenic interconnected trails in Madison County, Ill., connected to the Madison County Transit fixed-route bus service.
“There are so many great ways to get around the St. Louis region, from greenways and trails to public transit, and we’re excited to encourage community members to get outside and try a new way of getting to their favorite destinations,” said Claire Mueller, communications manager for Great Rivers Greenway.
Visit MixUpHowYouMove.com through August 31 to register for a FREE Metro Transit Day Pass and gain access to trail maps.
