Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), in collaboration with AARP in St. Louis and Metro Transit, invite the community to celebrate the unveiling of the first “Enjoy the Ride” bus bench in downtown St. Louis on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.
As part of CMT’s placemaking program, The Story of a Bench, the day’s events will kick off at 9 a.m. at MetroBus Stop #8641 (20th and Market in downtown St. Louis). Partners, stakeholders and riders will celebrate the addition of this new amenity and underscore the importance of comfort, accessibility and community connections in public transit spaces. This stop is the first installation in downtown St. Louis and provides direct access to Energizer Park.
The program aims to gather and share narratives on how benches positively influence riders and local communities – and spark further investment in transit across the region. Seventeen benches have been installed to date with thousands of additional dollars investmented at these stops by local partners. Even a basic amenity like a bench can significantly build support for transit, increase ridership and improve the rider experience, while also removing the stigma of the “forgotten” bus stop.
The goal is to place five benches each year at bus stops that lack existing amenities. This installation is the 13th such bench placed in the St. Louis region through the “Story of a Bench” program. An additional number of benches are in the works in both Missouri and Illinois.
