The Ten Toe Express Program is designed to help individuals experience just how easy it is to integrate walking with public transit use to get around town, while also promoting the health and well-being benefits of an alternative commute. Key features of the program include access to walk maps that provide detailed directives on how to utilize transit to get to many of the region’s cultural and entertainment hot spots, and the ability to participate in weekly guided Ten Toe Express Walking Tours. These tours are led by trained volunteer walk leaders and allow residents to be part of a group as they become familiar with the transit system and how to utilize it to get to destinations region-wide.

The Spring Ten Toe Express session will run from April to June and feature weekly walks starting at the Brentwood, Forest Park, Belleville, Rock Road, North Hanley and Shrewsbury MetroLink stations. Special, regional walks hosted by CMT will be noted on the schedule.

“The Ten Toe Express program is one that has taught me a lot about living in St. Louis and what it has to offer,” said Ann LaBeau, Ten Toe Express program participant. “Although I grew up in the county, a visit to the city was rare. I joined the group trying to prepare and become comfortable with using public transportation, knowing that eventually I would have to give up driving. Now, I am capable of using Metro transit and I am happy knowing that when the time comes to give up my keys, there is another choice for me.”

New Ten Toe Express registrants receive a Ten Toe Express Walking Kit that includes a tote bag, a pedometer, a Metro system map, and four free transit tickets for MO residents or a fun promotional item for IL residents. Ten Toe Express participants also have access to Citizens for Modern Transit’s Ten Toe Express section on its website which includes a complete catalog of walk maps available for printing or downloading, and the ability to report walk logs and track personal success.

“We’re very proud of the success of the Ten Toe Express program, commented Kim Cella, the executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Since its inception in 2007, CMT has introduced more than 7,400 seniors to the system, and the program continues to grow steadily. We had more than 700 registrants in 2014 and hear endless praise for our amazing volunteer walk leaders – Dan and Meredith O’Connor, Norm and Joan Krumrey, Mary Blaies, Loretta Davis, Mary Fran Balmer and the entire team of walk leaders for the Rock Road group. We hope this program continues to grow and introduces new users to the links between transit, independence, health, the region and one’s overall quality of life.” Those interested in participating in the Ten Toe Express program can register at one of the many fall registration events listed below, or online at www.cmt-stl.org. The cost to participate is $10 per person. The Spring 2016 program officially gets underway Thursday, April 7, 2016. For more information about Citizens for Modern Transit you can also call (314) 231-7272, find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @cmt_stl.