Red Bird Express Moving Thousands of IL Game Goers

St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) is excited to announce Illinois residents are flocking to the Red Bird Express. 2018 Red Bird Express ridership topped prior year by more than 8 percent.

The Red Bird Express has had record breaking ridership numbers over the summer including a May 6th game that broke records for most riders for a single game with 2,100 riders.  The Cardinals versus the Cubs game ridership was 12 percent higher than the previous record at 1,900 riders for a single game. In addition, the Red Bird Express reach is expanding well beyond the St. Clair County boundaries to Mt. Vernon, Carbondale and as far away as Kentucky.

“This program has always been popular with our Cardinals fans.  It is so easy to get to Ball Park Village early enough to enjoy a meal before the game, and the bus will be there, right where you left it, after the game. This year we are ecstatic to see such growth in our numbers, and we will also be looking at possibly expanding the service to larger events at Busch Stadium.  Getting people to the places they want and need to go is always the goal, and SCCTD can take them there. Not to mention the economic impact we are having on St. Clair County, IL including at St. Clair Square and the City of St. Louis,” said Chairman of St. Clair County Transit District Board Richie Meile.

Parking in Downtown St. Louis for games can range from $15-40 or more. In addition, St. Clair County Transit takes the stress out of game day traffic, bridge construction, parking, gas expenses and more, by allowing game-goers to sit back and enjoy the ride to and from the game. Cost, comfort and convenience have been driving ridership numbers to new heights throughout the 2018 baseball season.

The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) announced the return of the popular Redbird Express bus service from St. Clair Square in the spring for the 2018 St. Louis Cardinals season.  SCCTD worked to ensure residents had information on the service throughout the season on its newly launched website, enhanced media outreach, improved service levels and through its network of satisfied customers.   “Happy riders are the best testaments to this program,” added Meile.

Founded in 1981, St. Clair County Transit District oversees 11 MetroLink stations and 18 bus routes in St. Clair County, IL.  If commuters have any questions about service, they can contact (618) 628-8090 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.  For more information visit www.scctd.org.