The City of St. Louis, Metro Transit, and SLATE extend the Youth Transit Program through 2024

By Red Latina St. Louis, MO -

The Community Development Administration (CDA) of the City of St. Louis, along with Metro Transit and the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), announced today the extension of the Gateway Go Youth Transit Program through December 2024. The Gateway Go cards were originally set to expire on February 28, 2023, but will continue to be accepted.

“Gateway Go passes represent ARPA funds at work for youth in the City of St. Louis,” said CDA Executive Director Nahuel Fefer. “In the spirit of the original partnership with Metro Transit, we are excited to extend Gateway Go for another two years.”

The Gateway Go Youth Transit Program is a vital resource for many young people in St. Louis City who may face barriers to accessing education, employment, and other opportunities due to transportation limitations. By providing free transit passes for MetroLink and MetroBus, the program helps to alleviate financial burdens for families and reduce the reliance on personal vehicles or costly alternative transportation options.

The impact of the Gateway Go program extends beyond just providing transportation. It also helps to connect young people to the broader region, enabling them to explore and experience all that St. Louis has to offer. Access to public transportation can open up new avenues for education, employment, social connections, and cultural experiences. By removing transportation barriers, the program helps to level the playing field and promote equity and inclusion. Moreover, the program also benefits the broader community by promoting sustainability and reducing traffic congestion. By encouraging more people to use public transportation, the program helps to decrease carbon emissions and improve air quality. It also reduces the number of cars on the road, which can help to alleviate traffic congestion and improve overall mobility in the region.

Overall, the Gateway Go Youth Transit

Program is an important initiative that supports the wellbeing and success of young people in St. Louis City while also benefiting the broader community. Through partnerships and funding support, the program can continue to expand and make a positive impact on the lives of many in the years to come.

“SLATE is excited to expand our partnership with CDA, Metro Transit, and the City of St. Louis to continue removing transportation barriers for our youth,” said SLATE Executive Director Fredrecka McGlown. “Young adults will continue to have the opportunity to move around the region, with reliable transportation to get them to school, work, extracurricular activities, and allow them to explore all that our great city has to offer. This tremendous opportunity has helped hundreds of youth and families, and we are excited to continue impacting our community with the Gateway Go Program.” The current cards have an expiration date of February 28, 2023 printed on them. Metro Transit has issued a bulletin telling operators to accept them. Current and new participants will be able to pick up new cards in April 2023 at SLATE, located at 1520 Market in downtown St. Louis.

St. Louis youth who would still like to apply for a Gateway Go pass can learn more about eligibility and needed documents on the Gateway Go site. Applicants must present proof of age, proof of residence, as well as proof of income or reside in a Qualified Census Tract (QCT).