Senior Transit Express Program (S.T.E.P.)

About the Program

Category: Transportation (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Through the Senior Transit Express Program, county officials take approximately ten seniors at a time to teach them to navigate the public transportation system in St. Clair County and St. Louis, Missouri. These excursions utilize buses and the MetroLink Train to travel to various locations in a wide area. The program is designed to alleviate seniors’ apprehension about using public transportation and allows them the opportunity to get specialized medical needs filled and to participate in cultural and educational opportunities. Fliers, notices in the local newspaper and the Senior Center monthly newsletter are used to inform seniors of the program and the service it offers. A telephone number is provided and seniors are asked to call for reservations to participate in the program since space is limited. Once the reservations are confirmed for a specific day and time, they are informed where to meet so they can go as a group on the public transportation system. The meeting place is generally is at the College Station, which is easily accessible to seniors. The trips begin at 8:00 AM and end by noon at the community college station. Participants then walk to the college cafeteria and enjoy a box lunch while discussing the details of the trip. In 2009, 169 seniors participated in the program, and the county anticipates a minimum of 140 participants in 2010.