SCCTD Transit Vision 2026 Project Update

The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) is updating its Transit Vision 2020 plan to evaluate current transit services, changing travel patterns, community needs, and opportunities to improve mobility throughout St. Clair County. The Transit Vision 2026 study combines technical analysis with input from riders, residents, stakeholders, and community partners to help identify priorities for the future of transit. This study kicked off in the Spring of 2026 and is expected to wrap in November.

Existing Conditions Assessment Complete

The project team recently completed the Existing Conditions Assessment, establishing a baseline understanding of the communities SCCTD serves and the current transit system.

The assessment examined:

• Demographic and population trends
• Existing MetroBus, MetroLink, SCCTD Flyer, and ATS paratransit services
• Employment and major activity centers
• Travel patterns and major transportation corridors
• Areas of transit need and gaps in existing service
• Performance of individual MetroBus routes and SCCTD Flyer service zones

The analysis shows that transit demand remains concentrated in established communities and major travel corridors, particularly around East St. Louis, Cahokia Heights, Belleville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, and the Shiloh-Scott area. The existing network provides strong coverage of many high-demand areas while also highlighting localized gaps and emerging travel markets.

Explore the Existing Conditions

Want to take a closer look at the analysis?

Visit the Transit Vision 2026 Virtual Room to explore maps and other project information from the Existing Conditions Assessment, including demographic trends, transit service, travel patterns, transit demand, and service gaps.

Additional maps and project materials will be added to the Virtual Room as the study progresses.

What We Heard

Community input is an important part of Transit Vision 2026. Stakeholder interviews and the public survey provided insight into how the transit system is being used today and where improvements could make the greatest difference.

Several themes emerged across the engagement process:

• More service when people need it. Evening and weekend service was repeatedly identified as a priority, particularly for workers and essential trips.
• Better mobility in rural and outlying communities. Stakeholders identified areas outside or near the edges of the current service area as an important consideration, with flexible services such as microtransit viewed as one potential approach for lower-density communities.
• Safer and more accessible bus stops. Stakeholders identified needs for accessible pedestrian connections, shelters, seating, lighting, and improved conditions at several locations.
• Connections to essential destinations. Employment, healthcare, education, shopping, and other community destinations remain important priorities, particularly as the County’s population ages and new development occurs.
• Making existing services easier to understand. Stakeholders noted that some residents may not be aware of SCCTD Flyer, ATS, and other specialized services or may have difficulty understanding eligibility, scheduling, and service information.
• Stronger regional connections. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of connections to neighboring communities and transit providers, including reducing transfer burdens for trips within the region and across the river.

These perspectives complement the technical analysis and will help the project team evaluate potential improvements based on both where transit needs exist and how people experience the system today.

What’s Next?

The findings from the Existing Conditions Assessment and community engagement will inform the next phase of Transit Vision 2026.

The project team will use these findings to develop and evaluate potential transit service improvements and priorities for SCCTD, ultimately supporting the updated Transit Vision through the 2040 planning horizon.

Stay tuned for additional project updates and opportunities to participate.