MCT To Reinstate Fares And Partial Express Bus Service

GRANITE CITY - In coordination with the State’s phased “Restore Illinois” plan and the region’s re-opening strategy, Madison County Transit (MCT) has developed a fixed-route service restoration plan in response to growing demand. Effective June 1, 2020, MCT will be reinstating fixed-route fares and restoring select MCT Express trips to and from downtown St. Louis. A summary of the Express routes can be found below and on the following page. Fares were suspended beginning Wed., March 18 and MCT has been operating on a modified Saturday-level service (with no Express service) since Sun., March 29. For details on MCT’s fares, passes, and Free Ride IDs, visit: www.mct.org.

“This is the first step in restoring vital public transit service for the residents in Madison County and beyond,” said SJ Morrison, MCT Interim Managing Director. “Even though restrictions are beginning to loosen, and trips are being reinstated, MCT continues to take every precaution to keep employees and passengers safe.”

MCT continues to follow the guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Madison County Health Department, and the Centers for Disease Control. Until further notice, drivers and passengers will continue to be required to wear masks or face coverings, practice social distancing, and are encouraged to ride MCT for essential trips only at this time. Buses and relief vehicles continue to be disinfected regularly and fixed-route trips will continue to operate with a goal of 50% passenger capacity. MCT Transfer Stations and the MCT Base of Operations remain closed to the public.

MCT Monthly Passes for the month of June are available for purchase at select Walgreens and Schnucks locations throughout Madison County and the SIUE Information Center. Mobile MCT Passes can once again be purchased and activated on the Token Transit Mobile App. MCT Free Ride and Half Fare IDs which have expired in the last few months will be accepted until further notice. MCT’s Free Ride ID distribution sessions will resume at a later date.

Detailed schedule and stop information can be viewed online at: www.mct.org.

Routes with Restored MCT Express Service, effective June 1, 2020 are listed below:

#1X Riverbend Express: Two morning trips and two afternoon trips restored.
Service operates between Eastgate Plaza, Granite City, and downtown St. Louis. Buses will not serve
Alton, Godfrey, or Bethalto at this time.

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MCT FARE & PARTIAL EXPRESS RESTORATION

FIRST AND FINAL ADD

#5 Tri-City Regional: Two morning trips and two afternoon trips restored.
Service operates between Granite City Station to downtown St. Louis. Serving all regular stops.

#14X Highland Express: Three morning trips and three afternoon trips restored.
Service operates between Highland, Troy, St. Jacob and downtown St. Louis. Serving all regular stops.

#16X Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Express: Two morning trips and two afternoon trips restored.
Service operates between Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Collinsville and downtown St. Louis. Serving all regular stops.

MCT will continue to closely monitor demand and adjust routes and schedules accordingly. As the re-opening process continues, MCT will restore trips as demand warrants. MCT appreciates passengers’ patience and continued respect for the updated guidelines and rules during this unprecedented time. Please visit www.mct.org, email info@mct.org, or call 618-797-4600 for questions or more information.

Madison County Transit (MCT) provides multi-modal transportation services for Madison County, Illinois. MCT operates a fixed-route bus service, connecting to MetroLink; express weekday commuter service directly to and from downtown St. Louis; and seasonal express service the Muny. For elderly and disabled residents who are unable to use the fixed-route buses, MCT provides complementary door to door service. MCT is also responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 137 miles of bikeways that comprise the MCT Trails system, as well as overseeing RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s FREE carpooling and vanpooling program.

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