With AMIA 2009 less than a month away, many of you have been asking about mass transit, especially in relationship to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, the St. Louis Millennium Hotel, Washington University (site of a number of workshops) and University City (home of the Tivoli Theater). MetroLink is a regional light rail system that will leave you within walking distance of these venues.
From Lambert-St.Louis International Airport
Red Line service to downtown St. Louis is available from both the Main and East Terminals. The $3.75 fare can be purchased at the vending machines near the escalators that take you to the platform. Before boarding the train, make sure you get your ticket validated at the machines located on either end of the platform. Another word of caution: cups of coffee or other liquids can get you a summons.
The trip downtown takes approximately 32 minutes. If your destination is the Millennium Hotel, your stop is Stadium (as in Busch Stadium - or Holy of Holies to the locals). The Millennium is on 4th and Clark. Upon exiting the station, follow the signs to Clark and walk two blocks east, passing Busch Stadium and crossing South Broadway along the way. The round tower of the Millennium should be visible most of the way.
To Washington University
Take the Blue Line from Stadium (the train will be headed westbound in the direction of "Shrewsbury-Landsdowne I-44"). You can also take the westbound Red Line (towards "Airport") but you must change trains at Forest Park/DeBaliviere in the process. The fare is $2.25. Again, make sure you get your ticket validated after purchase.
The stop for Wash U is Skinker. Since the platform is subterranean, follow the signs for the University. Once you emerge, walk past the imposing ramparts of Brookings Hall toward the center of the campus to the sleek Olin Library.
Note: At peak hours, the trains of each line run at roughly 15-minute intervals. The trip takes approximately 15 minutes. Leave yourself enough time for walks from the Millennium to the Stadium MetroLink station (.3 miles, approximately 10 minutes) and from the Skinker MetroLink station to Olin Library (.4 miles, approximately 12 minutes). In short, if you're scheduled for an 8:30 AM workshop, plan to take the 7:32 AM or 7:47 AM train from Stadium just to leave yourself enough time to relax before your session.
To University City (Tivoli Theater)
Starting at Stadium, take the Red Line (towards "Airport"). Fare: $2.25. Validate ticket! The station is Delmar Loop. After exiting the station, walk half a block south to Delmar Boulevard. Turn right and walk about half a mile west, passing the Pageant Theater, toward the Tivoli - you can't miss the sign.
For more information, maps and schedules, visit the MetroLink Web site.