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U-Go Free Summer Youth Passes Are Good Through August 31st
Passes are FREE to youth ages 6-17. Providing unlimited rides from June 1 to August 31 seven days a week.
The goal of the program is to help families with affordable summer transportation solutions while showing youth about the benefits of using transit.
* Use the bus to get to summertime activities or for family outings.
* Passes can be picked up by a parent or guardian at the Metro Bus Transit Center downtown.
* Metro Bus is safe to ride. Each bus is equipped with sound and video surveillance.
* The U-Go Free Summer Youth pass is good seven days a week on any Fixed Route bus from June 1st to Aug. 31st.
* Free personalized, travel training is available for parents and anyone wishing to learn how to use the Metro Bus system.
* We recommend that children under age 12 travel with someone age 12 or older.
* Last year, nearly 3,000 passes were distributed and 60,510 trips provided.
To learn more about the U-Go Free Summer Youth Pass call 251.RIDE(7433)
Click here to download the U-Go Free Summer Youth Pass Informational Flyer.
Posted 4/29/09
Travel Training Assistance Offered
The program is designed to teach seniors and people with disabilities how to use the fixed route bus system.
The training is free and is customized to meet each individual’s needs. Travel Training gives you the skill, confidence and independence to get where you need to go. Riding the fixed route system offers more convenient and independent travel options seven days a week versus using dial-a-ride. Travel Training follows an easy, step-by-step learning process.You’ll learn how to:
* Read bus maps and schedules
* Plan your trip and ride your necessary routes
* Recognize bus stops, landmarks and route names
* Pay fares and purchase passes
* Safely cross the street and other important pedestrian skills
* Prepare for the “what ifs” of bus riding, such as “What if I miss the bus?” “What if I forget my money?” “What if I get off at the wrong stop?”
* Ride the bus with confidence
To learn more or to schedule your Travel Training, call 320.529.4497 or email info@stcloudmtc.com
Click here to download our Travel Training Brochure.
Posted 4/6/09
Metro Bus Runs Seven Days a Week.
Husky Fried Ride New Flyer Bus #701 
Sunday service added May 11, 2008. Use it for work, shopping, to study, to play...
Metro Bus Fixed Route service is now available 7-days a week.
For the first time since the 1950's, Metro Bus Fixed Route service operates regular schedules on Sunday.
Sunday schedules are similar to Saturdays for most routes.
Routes operating on Sunday are:
East Side
North Side
Pantown
Sauk Rapids
Southeast
South Side
Southwest
University
Waite Park
West Side
Service on Route 75, Westwood and Sartell routes will not run on Sundays, however, general public Dial-a-Ride service will continue to be available to riders along those route areas.
Regular and reduced cash, transfer, 10-Ride, 1-Day, 7-Day, 31-Day, summer youth, SCSU, SCTC and MSB passes are good on Sundays.
Printed schedules that include Sunday service are available at the Transit Center and on all buses, and major grocery stores and schedule outlets.
Posted 4/24/08, Updated 5/12/08, 7/9/08, 4/6/09
* * * * Previous What's New Items * * * *
New Rates Effective Sunday, January 4, 2009.
Decision on rate change approved at Commission's December 16th board meeting.
New rates:
Posted 10/20/08, Update 12/11/08, 12/17/08
Fixed Route
Cash
90 cents
1-Day Pass
$3.00 (Unchanged)
7-Day Pass
$14.00
31-Day Pass
$39.00
Tokens
10 for $8.00
10-Ride Pass
$8.00
Reduced Cash
45 cents
Reduced 10-Ride Pass
$4.50
Dial-a-Ride
Cash
$1.80
10-Ride Pass
$18.00
31-Day All Service Pass
$60.00
Agency
$3.25
Metro Bus Sets All-Time Record Ridership in 2008
Surpassing the previous high set in 1947 - some 61 years ago.
Public transit annual ridership in the St. Cloud area reached 2.32 million this year - surpassing the record high of 2.25 million set 61 years ago.
System-wide ridership was 2,323,434 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. Ridership was 2,250,000 in 1947.
Fixed Route ridership experienced a 16 percent increase over last year (includes general public and St. Cloud State University numbers).
“We attribute a large share of this growth in ridership to the increased gas prices during the summer months, extending back to 2007, “ said David Tripp, Metro Bus Executive Director. “Despite the drop in gas prices, it appears that many new riders continue to use Metro Bus because substantial travel savings can be obtained without sacrificing convenience.”
System-wide ridership by month is shown in the chart below. 
Posted 12/11/08
Full Color System Route Map Available.
May be purchased at Transit Center for $3.00.
The map has new features...
Bus stops have been added to all routes. Look for the circle "T's".
Sunday schedules have been added.
Route 75 is now on the system map.
Also, find the map online. Click here to open
Posted 8/21/08
Metro Bus and SCSU Unveil Bus Powered by Recycled Vegetable Oil.
A Metro Bus powered by recycled deep fryer vegetable oil – called the Husky Fried Ride – was unveiled in conjunction with Earth Day festivities Friday, April 18th, at St. Cloud State University. The Husky Fried Ride bus #701, a 40-foot 2005 New Flyer bus, is used in service at SCSU for Husky Shuttle and Campus Clipper routes.
Metro Bus and St. Cloud State University unveiled the bus that is powered by a mixture of 80 percent recycled vegetable oil and 20 percent diesel fuel. The vegetable oil comes from deep fryers at St. Cloud State, where Sodexo provides foodservice for Garvey Commons and Atwood Center.
It is believed that this is the first transit bus system in the nation to use waste vegetable oil to power a public transit bus. Project costs, estimated at over $7,000 include the fuel system conversion, and equipment to collect, filter, store, mix and warm the fuel.
Fuel cost savings are estimated at approximately $2.30 per gallon compared to the cost diesel fuel.
Metro Bus has plans that additional buses will be added to operate on this new fuel.
Partners for the Husky Fried Ride bus project and unveiling are: Metro Bus, SCSU Administration and Student Government, Sodexo, and Rheaume’s House of Lettering.
The unique and exciting bus wrap design was developed in-house by SCSU Communications Department staff with input from project partners.
Local, statewide and national media coverage helped get the message out about this unique project.
Posted 4/18/08
Metro Bus Named #1 Transit System in North America
Metro Bus has been named the best transit system of it’s size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award was presented to Metro Bus at the APTA Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 9, 2007. APTA gives out the Outstanding Achievement Award annually to honor transit systems demonstrating exceptional efficiency and effectiveness.
Metro Bus was also voted #1 in 1990. No other Minnesota transit system can claim multiple wins as “America’s Best”; in fact, very few nationwide can. “To receive this national award twice is humbling,” said David W. Tripp, Metro Bus Executive Director. “Our success is due to people - - the customers we are privileged to serve, our employees who provide impeccable service, our community leaders and business and agency partners with whom strong relationships are valued. In several days we will also be reaching the 2,000,000 annual rider plateau for the first time since 1949, bringing further pride to this organization.
” Congratulating Metro Bus on behalf of the State of Minnesota, Governor Tim Pawlenty said “this prestigious award is testament to your outstanding dedication in providing safe and dependable public transportation to the St. Cloud Metro area”. "Our dedicated Metro Bus employees work hard to ensure the highest quality of service, and the Board is immensely proud of them,” said Commission Chairman Paul L. Ringsmuth. “It also recognizes the broad support we receive from our four communities which helps maintain this critical public service."
“Congratulations to St. Cloud Metro Bus for being recognized as the 2007 top transit agency in North America in the category of 1-4 million trips annually,” said American Public Transportation Association President William W. Millar. “With strong ridership increases; a culture that emphasizes safety; and the implementation of technological innovations, St. Cloud is a transit system that demonstrates excellence. Receiving this prestigious honor means that St. Cloud Metro Bus and its employees are the “best of the best” in North America.” APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 member organizations, including bus, rapid transit and commuter rail systems. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of people who use public transportation in the United States and Canada. .
Posted 10/4/07
Advertise with Metro Bus
Advertise your business with Metro Bus. Affordable full-color bus wraps, bus shelters, courtesy benches and bus interior ad space is available. For more information call our Marketing Coordinator 529-4480 for a rate quote.
Posted 2/2/07
Detours & Route Changes
Click Here For Detours and Route Changes Page
Last revised on June 26th 2009.