NextStop Blog

Metro transit is offering special shuttle service to the Soulard Mardi Gras on Saturday, February 6, making it easy for families, parade-goers and revelers to safely and conveniently enjoy all of the festivities.

Metro will operate special Mardi Gras shuttle buses this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. between Soulard and the Civic Center MetroLink Station, which is located at the corner of Spruce Street and 14th Street in downtown St. Louis. The special shuttles will run every 15 minutes and will drop off and pick up passengers in Soulard on 10th Street between Carroll Street and Marion Street, in the heart of the Mardi Gras celebration. Round-trip passes for the Mardi Gras shuttle are $6 and can only be purchased on Saturday, February 6, at the Civic Center MetroLink Station, starting at 9 a.m.

“Metro makes it as easy as 1-2-3 to get to this year’s Soulard Mardi Gras stress-free and without the worries of walking long distances or fighting for parking,” said Ray Friem, Executive Director for Metro Transit. “Simply park your car at one of our 21 free Metro Park-Ride lots in Missouri or Illinois, ride MetroLink to the Civic Center Station, then buy a Mardi Gras shuttle pass and hop on one of our shuttles. It’s just that easy.”

Metro will operate the special Mardi Gras shuttles every 15 minutes through 11 p.m. Regular Metro tickets and passes are not valid on the Mardi Gras Shuttles. The Mardi Gras Shuttle Pass cannot be used to ride MetroBus or MetroLink.

MetroLink trains will operate every 20 minutes on Saturday, Feb. 6, with trains arriving at the Civic Center MetroLink Station every 10 minutes. Metro will monitor platforms for crowds throughout the day and will add extra MetroLink service as needed. Passengers are encouraged to avoid using the Stadium MetroLink Station this Saturday because of limited access and congestion from the Spruce Street Bridge construction project, and are encouraged to instead head directly to the Civic Center Station to board a Mardi Gras shuttle.

MetroBus is another great option for getting to all of the fun. The #8 Bates-Morganford, #10 Gravois, #30 Soulard, #40 Broadway and #73 Carondelet MetroBus routes serve the Soulard area. Even though there will be detours in place on February 6, these routes will still get riders close to the celebration.

Due to Mardi Gras festivities and the 2016 Grand Parade taking place on February 6,  four MetroBus routes will be rerouted.

Everyone is asked to leave their backpacks and coolers at home since they are not allowed at the Soulard Mardi Gras. Remember, no food, drink or alcohol is permitted on MetroLink, MetroBus, the Mardi Gras Shuttles or on Metro property.

This year, Mardi Gras Inc. has teamed up with event mobile app Palaroo. Download the Palaroo app for iPhone or Android and check in at various points in St. Louis — such as the Civic Center MetroLink Station. Check in five times and you will be eligible to win Fat Bluesday tickets to see the St. Louis Blues take on Winnepeg on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Winners may also win Brett Hull autographed prizes.

Have fun and be safe at Mardi Gras this year!