Getting Around St. Louis

Street System
     Streets in downtown St. Louis follow a basic grid pattern complicated by a system of one-way streets. Numbered streets run parallel to the Mississippi River; numbers begin at the river and run westward. The north-south dividing line is Market Street.
     After a complete stop, a right turn on red is permitted unless otherwise posted. Driving during rush hours, generally from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., should be avoided.
     
Parking
     On-street parking is controlled by meter, but your chance of finding a space where and when you want one is slight. Many commercial lots and garages are in the downtown business core and around Memorial Plaza; several multilevel garages are in the vicinity of Busch Stadium as well. Rates average $2 per hour for the first 5 hours, $4 for 6 to 13 hours, and $8 for 14 to 24 hours. For stadium events, day or night, the charge is $5-$10.
     Rates for the parking garage at the Gateway Arch are 75c for every half-hour, with a $10 maximum charge per day. Additional parking, which costs from $3 to $5 per day, can be found at private lots on the landing.

By Car
     As befits the Gateway to the West, a network of major interstate highways flows into St. Louis, bringing goods and people from all points of the compass. From the east come I-55, I-64, I-70 and US 40; all these highways converge at the Poplar Street Bridge to pour into the downtown area and through the western suburbs as I-64/US 40 (the Daniel Boone Expressway).
     I-55 approaches from the south and I-44 from the southwest; I-70 enters from the northwest to combine in the downtown area with I-55. A bypass route is formed by I-270, with connections to I-70, I-64, I-55, I-44 and I-170. I-270 becomes I-255 southeast of the city before connecting with I-64 and I-70 to the east in Illinois.

Public Transportation
     Metro, the public transportation system--which includes MetroBus, the MetroLink light-rail train and the Metro Call-A-Ride para-transit van service--routes passengers throughout the St. Louis metropolitan region. The basic bus fare is $1.75; over 64, ages 5-12 and customers with disabilities, 85c. Exact cash fare is required. A MetroLink one-ride ticket is $2; over 64, ages 5-12 and customers with disabilities, $1. Various transfers and multiday passes also are available.
     For route information, current fares and hours of system operation contact MetroTransit Information Mon.-Fri. 7-7; phone 314- 231-2345, or 618- 271-2345 in Illinois.

Taxis
     Cab companies include County Cab, 314- 991-5300; Laclede, 314- 652-3456; and Yellow, 314- 361-2345. All cabs in St. Louis are on the meter system. Base fare is approximately $2.50 for the first mile, with a rate of $2 per mile. The base fare goes up $1 for each additional passenger. A fuel surcharge of at least $1 also is added to the fare. Taxis can be ordered by phone or hired at cab stands near the large downtown hotels.

Air Travel
     Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is on I-70 in the northwestern section of the metropolitan area. Taxi fare from the airport is usually about $35. The area's light-rail system, MetroLink, originates at the airport and culminates at Scott Air Force Base in Shiloh, Ill. Trains run daily; schedule varies. Tickets or passes may be purchased; fares vary.