Top five reasons for riding the bus to get closer to school:
- It's economical.
- It's Green.
- It's easy.
- It's safer than walking.
- Avoid bad weather.
- Responsiblities and Independence.
It's economical
Mass transit in the QCA remains the most economic alternative for students and children with a half-price fare of 50 cents. Children under 5 years are free, but must be accompanied by an adult. You can eliminate the worry of your child having exact fare by purchasing a student or child’s Passenger Punch Pass that gives additional price breaks. Youth can purchase either pass with 6 rides for $2.50 or 13 rides with a bonus ride for $5. A $30 dollar pass will take you all over the Quad Cities, unlimited times for the whole month! Passes are available at Centre Station. Call MetroLINK Customer Service at (309) 788-3360 or call your school for more information.
It's Green
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is the most widely used alternative fuel in the transit industry. Powered by clean burning John Deere natural gas engines, the compressed natural gas buses result in a 90% reduction in particulate matter emissions and a 50% decrease in nitrogen oxides. So whether you use transit or not, that makes the Quad Cities (and the world) a better place to live.
With 25 CNG buses, almost half of our fleet is running on clean burning natural gas. So the next time you see a CNG bus go by, think of what you’re doing to help our QCA environment.
Thanks to clean burning, compressed natural gas engines from John Deere, the skies in the Quad Cities are a little bluer than before. Cleaner air means a cleaner environment, a cleaner Quad Cities.
It's easy
Last year MetroLINK mass transit provided over 330,000 rides to youth throughout Rock Island County. Riding the bus is easy. Just log onto www.qcmetrolink.com for trip planning, or look up your MPT text code online, and text to see when your bus will arrive. Follow these simple steps and you're ready to go:
- Be at your bus stop, shelter or corner five minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive. If you are standing on a corner, stand where the driver can see you wave and where it is possible for the bus to pull over. Do not stand in the street!
- Make sure you have exact change ($.50) or your ticket or pass ready. Drivers don’t make change.
- As the bus approaches, check the destination sign above the windshield to verify it is the correct bus. The destination sign will flash the route number and final destination of the bus. Be sure you are standing up and facing the bus.
- Let people get off the bus before you get on. If you need a transfer, ask for one after paying your fare.
- Be alert for your destination. Pull the cord above the window to signal you want to get off.
- Stay in your seat until the bus stops and watch your step getting off.
It's safe
Extended fixed route service during peak hours accommodates the needs of school children in Rock Island, Milan and Moline. One of the greatest needs of youth, and highest priority of parents is safety. Nationwide, bus transit remains high on the list as the safest travel alternative. Drivers are required to pass extensive screening and training requirements and our transit vehicles are equipped with security features that set competitive standards. The drivers are ever mindful that some of their passengers are not completely independent and may need some extra assistance.
MetroLINK employs 2 Rock Island County Sherriff's Deputies for your safety and security! Look for Deputy Williams and Deputy Brown as they ride the buses and patrol bus stops and shelters.
Avoid bad weather
We care about students traveling to school as comfortable as possible. MetroLINK can provide students with shelter from extreme weather conditions that’s commonly known to the Quad Cities. Our buses are equipped with air conditioning for the sweltering heat, a toasty heat exhaust for the harsh winter, and cover from the rain while being taken to your school. MetroLINK buses can also protect students from outside allergies and asthma complications.
Responsibility and Independence
Once students are familiar with a route, they can begin to gain more independence and, by their early teens, use mass transit to get around to other destinations of interest such as the libraries, parks, shopping malls and cinemas.