News
Metro Transit, CMT and Regional Partners to Share a Special ‘Thank You’ With Transit Riders on Valentine’s Day
Metro Transit is teaming up with Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), the MetroLink Police Unit, St. Clair County Transit District and the University of Missouri-St. Louis to share the love with Metro customers and give them a sweet treat on Valentine’s Day morning as they commute on MetroBus and MetroLink. From 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Thursday, February 14, Metro ambassadors, police officers, Metro Transit security officers and others will be at 14 Metro Transit Centers to greet riders and give them Valentine’s Day candy. For some transit riders, their commute will get even sweeter because some of the candy boxes will have a free 2-hour pass, a one-day pass, a weekly or a monthly transit pass attached.
“The goal behind this effort is simple – we want Metro Transit riders to know we appreciate them, while raising awareness about the many benefits of public transit,” said Taulby Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bi-State Development. “We show this appreciation by providing customers what they want, not only a safe ride, but a comfortable ride – a ride where they can use the time on our system to return emails, read a book, or sit back and relax.”
The ‘Wake Up to a Sweeter Commute’ events on February 14 will take place at 14 Metro locations:
- 5th & Missouri Transit Center
- Belleville Transit Center
- Brentwood I-64 Transit Center
- Central West End Transit Center
- Civic Center Transit Center*
- Clayton Transit Center
- Emerson Park Transit Center
- Fairview Heights Transit Center
- Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center
- Grand MetroLink Station
- North County Transit Center
- North Hanley Transit Center
- Rock Road Transit Center
- Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 Transit Center
Metro passengers will also have a fun way to share their love for transit. TapSnap™ Studio Photo Booths will be set up at the Civic Center, Fairview Heights and North County Transit Centers, and riders will be able to take a special commemorative photo they can share on social media using #crushingontransit to tell everyone why they love transit. Y98 street team members will be at the Civic Center Transit Center with music, games, prizes and free samples of bubly™ Sparkling Water.
“A safe, reliable public transit system also plays a key role in stimulating economic development, attracting and retaining business, establishing healthier communities, connecting individuals to job opportunities, furthering equality, and building sustainable communities,” said Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “We have a very solid system in our region, and the ‘Wake Up to a Sweeter Commute’ events are a fun way to recognize this and reinforce why so many are crushing on transit.”
The MetroLink Police Unit, Citizens for Modern Transit, Metro Transit, St. Clair County Transit District and the University of Missouri – St. Louis are all members of the Transit Advisory Working Group, which was established to help improve safety and security on MetroLink and restore public confidence in St. Louis’ main public transportation system. The Transit Advisory Working Group is comprised of a diverse cross-section of riders, MetroBus and MetroLink operators, and regional stakeholders that also include representatives from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 788, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Organization for Black Struggle, SEIU Local 1, St. Louis Community College, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Washington University, as well as prosecutors and law enforcement officials from the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Clair County.