Neighbor News
Partners Host Oct. 2 “College Transit Challenge” to Promote Transit Benefits and Metro U-Pass Program
Registration Now Open for Students, Faculty and Staff of Participating Educational Institutions
St. Louis Community College, Saint Louis University, Southwestern Illinois College, University of Missouri–St. Louis and WashU are once again competing for the highly coveted bragging rights and traveling championship trophy as part of the 2025 College Transit Challenge. It is hosted annually by Citizens for Modern Transit in partnership with Metro Transit and the St. Clair County Transit District, and this year’s competition is set for Thursday, Oct. 2. The daylong challenge encourages students, faculty and staff at the respective schools to utilize their Metro U-Passes to take MetroLink and/or MetroBus wherever they need to go that day. Trips are tracked via mobile texting and the school that collectively tracks the most transit trips wins. Registration is required and can be completed at www.CollegeTransitChallenge.com.
“The Metro U-Pass program makes transit super affordable as it provides unlimited rides on MetroBus and MetroLink, and participating schools pay for all or part of the pass,” stated Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “This challenge is a way for individuals to learn more about the local transit system and all the places they can get to via the bus and train – ultimately increasing U-Pass utilization.”
All registered challenge participants will receive a campaign sticker and a “Public Transit” t-shirt in a color specific to their school, while supplies last. When registering, individuals will be asked to enter their name, school affiliation and cell phone number. Citizens for Modern Transit will not share or use this information for any purpose other than the challenge. They will then receive a text message to confirm campaign registration. During the daylong challenge period, participants will send text messages noting how many times they rode transit, which mode was utilized and their destination.
The College Transit Challenge will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 9 a.m. with a “Mascot Meetup” at the Grand MetroLink Station and Scott Avenue Transit Plaza, located 3560 Scott Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63110. Representatives of the transit organizations, along with college and university representatives and students, will share remarks on the benefits of transit access before they and mascots Archie, the Billiken, Kashmir the Snow Leopard, Louie the Triton and the Bear take MetroLink to the 8th & Pine MetroLink Station for a free breakfast in Keiner Plaza at Ukraft. Students will receive a goodie bag, information about an array of Destination Deals available along the MetroLink alignment and other perks.
“Public transit access is readily available at these five colleges and universities, offering a safe and convenient means to get to and from campus, work, the grocery store, area attractions, nightlife or other destinations,” added Cella. “WashU took home the championship trophy the last two years, and we are excited to see who captures the title this year.”
All schools participating in the 2025 College Transit Challenge are current Metro Transit U-Pass program participants. Students who have not yet obtained a Metro U-Pass should check with their respective university or college to find out where they are distributed on campus. Students, faculty, and staff at schools without a U-Pass program should contact their school or Metro Transit to express interest in starting one.
Additional information about the campaign, instructions on how to register and specifics regarding the Metro U-Pass Program at respective schools can be found at www.CollegeTransitChallenge.com.
About Citizens for Modern Transit
Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the St. Louis region’s transit advocacy organization. Established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis, CMT’s mission is focused on championing, challenging, encouraging and advocating for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve quality of life. To help support this mission, the organization works to develop ridership programming, transform spaces around transit stops, help secure local and federal transit funding, serve as a strong and effective voice on transit-related issues and opportunities, and ensure safe, convenient, user-friendly and affordable access to the area’s integrated public transportation system. To learn more, visit www.CMT-STL.org or follow the organization on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.
About Metro Transit
Metro Transit operates the St. Louis region’s public transportation system, which includes 24 battery electric buses and 237 clean-burning diesel buses that serve 59 MetroBus routes in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois. Metro also operates MetroLink light rail vehicles on 46 miles of track serving 38 stations in the two-state area, and operates Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 123 vans. Metro Transit is a Bi-State Development enterprise. To learn more, visit www.metrostlouis.org or follow Metro Transit on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About St. Clair County Transit District
The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) was founded in 1981 and contracts with Bi-State Development to provide public transportation services in St. Clair County, Ill., by way of 11 MetroLink stations and 14 MetroBus routes and with Southwestern Illinois College to offer paratransit services as well as on-demand, micro transit via the SCCTD Flyer in seven communities. SCCTD has also established and maintains the ever-evolving MetroBikeLink System of interconnecting trails and bike paths that seamlessly connect to six Metro Transit Centers – linking individuals to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, trails and other destinations throughout the bi-state region. To learn more, visit www.SCCTD.org or follow the District on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.
