Ribbon Cutting to Unveil New Bus Bench and Shelter in Fairview Heights Set for July 28

The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), in collaboration with Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit invite the community to celebrate the unveiling of a new bus bench and shelter in St. Clair County on Tuesday, July 28.

As part of CMT’s placemaking program, The Story of a Bench, the day’s events will kick off at 9 a.m. at MetroBus Stop #15907 (23 Commerce Lane, Fairview Heights, IL). Partners, stakeholders and riders will celebrate the addition of the new amenities and share “The Story of a Bench,” highlighting the importance of comfort, accessibility and community connections in public transit spaces.

The program aims to gather and share narratives on how these benches positively influence riders and local communities, potentially sparking further investment in transit across the region. The St. Clair County Transit District has partnered on seven benches to date with thousands of additional investment at these stops on the part of local partners. Even a basic amenity like a bench can significantly build support for transit, increase ridership and improve the rider experience, while also removing the stigma of the “forgotten” bus stop.

The goal is to place five benches each year at bus stops that lack existing amenities. The benches are branded with “Enjoy the Ride” and feature a QR code and web address linking to a survey where bench users and transit riders can share their stories. This installation is the 13th such bench placed in the St. Louis region through the “Story of a Bench” program. An additional number of benches are in the works in Missouri and Illinois.