The Gateway Go Card is back this summer, providing area youth a discount of up to 66% to ride MetroLink and MetroBus. After being sidelined last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program once again aims to provide mobility and independence to young persons in the St. Louis region, giving those ages 13 to 25 an easy, reliable and very affordable option to commute to summer jobs, camps, recreational programs, personal and professional development opportunities and other destinations. This innovative regional transit youth initiative, which launched in 2018, is a partnership with the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Clair County, St. Clair County Transit District, Metro Transit and Bi-State Development. The Gateway Go Card program runs through August 31, 2021.
“We’re hearing everyday about employers struggling to find workers to fill open positions across our region, and we believe the Gateway Go Card can connect many youth to those opportunities, helping to support our region’s economic recovery while positioning these young individuals to gain important experience that can lead to a brighter future,” said Taulby Roach, President and CEO of Bi-State Development, which operates Metro Transit for the St. Louis region.
“It’s a critical part of the growth and development of our youth to have that first job opportunity,” said St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page. “This is an opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of our young adults. It’s great to see Bi-State Development stepping up to provide this program.”
This year’s Gateway Go Card Program comes with two significant enhancements. It includes an $80 Summer Pass, which will cover unlimited rides on MetroLink and MetroBus through August 31, representing a significant savings from the cost of three regular monthly passes. In addition, for the first time, it includes a variety of mobile passes, making it even more accessible to today’s youth. These mobile passes will operate like the physical Gateway Go Card, but are conveniently available to Gateway Go participants via their Transit app accounts instead. Once they have signed up for a Gateway Go mobile pass, participants will be able to access all of the available discounted passes quickly and easily through their mobile devices – no cards needed. The discount given through the mobile pass is accessible exclusively to members of the Gateway Go Card program.
Fares available on mobile for Gateway Go participants include:
- 3-Month Summer Pass = $80
- Two-Hour Pass = $1.50 (half fare)
- MetroLink One-Ride = $1.25 (half fare)
- MetroBus One-Ride = $0.50 (half fare)
Fares available on the Gateway Go Card, include:
- 3-Month Summer Pass for $80
- Cash Value up to $100 to come off as half fare on one-rides or two-hour passes
- June, July & August 2021 individual Monthly Passes are $39 per month – available only via physical card, not via Transit mobile app
“Nobody should have to face barriers to moving freely throughout our city,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones. “The Gateway Go Card program gives our city’s youth access to our world-class amenities and numerous job and recreation opportunities, which may have been cost prohibitive otherwise. I appreciate Metro taking this opportunity to expand transit access to our youth.”
Securing a Gateway Go Card is easy and participants who provide proof of age using a driver’s license, birth certificate, state ID, school ID or passport will be able to take advantage of discounts to ride MetroLink and MetroBus routes on the entire Metro Transit system in St. Louis and St. Louis County in Missouri and in St. Clair County in Illinois. Individuals who want to sign up for a Gateway Go mobile pass, can do so at metrostlouis.org/gatewaygo. Participants need an email address, which is required to have a Transit App account through which the mobile fares will be available. Groups seeking to register multiple people for the Gateway Go program should contact Metro Transit at mygatewaycard@metrostlouis.org or call (314) 982-1500 or (618) 274-1500.
“The Gateway Go Card program plays an important role in connecting young people to the many job opportunities currently available, while also helping to introduce them to the region’s public transit system,” said St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern. “It offers significant savings on transit passes, so no matter where they are or where they want to go in the bi-state region, they can get there with ease and begin laying the foundation for a successful future.”
Many organizations that help to get area youth connected to job opportunities have taken advantage for the program in previous years and are expected to do so again this summer, including STL Youth Jobs, which provides summer jobs to 15 to 24-year-olds.
“Reliable access to transportation is one of the biggest challenges for our summer job participants,” said Hillary Frey, Executive Director of STL Youth Jobs. “The Gateway Go Card program makes it easier and more affordable for youth to get to and from work which ultimately contributes to a successful summer job experience.”
The Gateway Go Card will also be available at the MetroStore, where staff will be available to help young people navigate their journey on the transit system. The MetroStore is located at 801 Pine Street in downtown St. Louis (by the 8th & Pine MetroLink Station). The store is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about the Gateway Go Card, visit MetroStLouis.org/GatewayGo