Thousands of St. Louisans know that public transportation is a convenient, cost-effective and hassle-free way to get around the St. Louis region. It’s particularly viable in the winter months – as transit riders don’t have to worry about heating up personal vehicles, navigating potentially dangerous roadways nor the added expense of gasoline at a time of year when engines are less fuel efficient.
Have you ever given transit a try? Or are you one who has taken MetroLink to a ballgame or concert, but never considered it for the workday commute? If so, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) – the region’s transit advocacy organization – has a free, award-winning opportunity known as the Try & Ride program that might be of interest to you.
The program allows commuters to test drive the transit system for the daily work commute. Those who register for the program get personalized route recommendations, complimentary transit fare tickets and a host of tips and tricks for taking transit. The program is a two-month commitment. Complimentary transit tickets are provided for the first month and riders are required to utilize the bus or train for one additional month at their own expense. Another benefit of the program is registration in CMT’s Guaranteed Ride Home Program, which provides access to more immediate transportation options in the case of personal emergency, sickness or unscheduled overtime by way of a taxicab, ride-hailing services like Lyft, or rental vehicle through Enterprise Rent-A-Car. CMT subsidizes the cost of 80 percent of these types of rides, up to $60 per ride, for those eligible.
“Some area residents shy away from taking public transportation because of the fear of the unknown,” stated Kim Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Our programming is designed to combat this by offering commuters all the tools and resources they need to confidently navigate our region’s integrated public transit system to get where they need to go.”
To learn more the benefits of taking transit, which includes helping to clear the air, or to register for the Try & Ride program today, visit www.cmt-stl.org. For more information on the link between sustainable transportation and our air quality, visit our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair.