Hosted by SOPS Workshop

Start the conference by reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new peers, and sharing highlights from the day’s tours at an informal happy hour at Schlafly Brewery. As St. Louis’s longest-operating craft brewery and a popular local restaurant, Schlafly provides a relaxed setting to begin building connections that will continue throughout the conference. This optional gathering is open to all attendees, even if they did not go on a tour, with food and beverages available for individual purchase.

To RSVP for this social hour, simply select the event during registration. 

Although online RSVP has closed, you may still attend.

(Hosted by SOPS Workshop)

The evening continues with the Transit Trivia Route Match Game, a transit-themed twist on the classic Match Game format. Players form small trivia teams and score points by matching their answers to transit professionals competing on stage. The game leads to plenty of laughs, learning, a few giveaways, and meeting new people. Whether you're a transit trivia buff or simply looking for a fun way to spend the evening, join fellow attendees for this interactive and entertaining event. Participation is encouraged, and spectators are welcome, too. Teams will form at the venue, and transit agency swag from across the country will reward the winners. This optional gathering is open to all attendees, with food and beverages available for individual purchase.

Step into the future of maintenance and manufacturing at the Metro St. Louis main shop. This guided tour highlights the agency’s cutting-edge 3D printing capabilities and how these powerful machines are transforming the way parts are produced, replaced, and reimagined.

Attendees will see firsthand how 3D printed components have led to significant cost savings, reduced downtime, and creative problem-solving across operations. From concept to creation, discover how innovation on the shop floor is driving efficiency and sustainability in transit maintenance.

Expect to be impressed by technology that’s reshaping what’s possible in real time.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 12:00 pm via bus shuttle.

Please note: This tour includes walking inside the garage. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 30 participants

See how technology, safety, and rider experience come together across the system in this immersive, multi-stop tour with Metro St. Louis.

The tour begins at the Real Time Camera Center inside the Main Shop, where participants will learn how live monitoring and system visibility support safety and operations. From there, we’ll take a short bus ride to the Grand MetroLink station to experience and see how controlled access is improving the customer environment on MeroLink platforms.

Next, attendees will board MetroLink for a brief train ride to Union Station, where the fare Collection portion of the tour will bring all of the concepts together, connecting safety, technology, and customer experience into one seamless story.

Expect a behind-the-scenes look at how cross-departmental innovation is shaping a safer, smarter transit system.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 12:00 pm via bus shuttle.

Please note: This tour includes walking inside the main shop and on MetroLink platforms, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 30 participants

Step into the future of maintenance and manufacturing at the Metro St. Louis main shop. This guided tour highlights the agency’s cutting-edge 3D printing capabilities and how these powerful machines are transforming the way parts are produced, replaced, and reimagined.

Attendees will see firsthand how 3D printed components have led to significant cost savings, reduced downtime, and creative problem-solving across operations. From concept to creation, discover how innovation on the shop floor is driving efficiency and sustainability in transit maintenance.

Expect to be impressed by technology that’s reshaping what’s possible in real time.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 12:00 pm via bus shuttle.

Please note: This tour includes walking inside the garage. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 30 participants

Discover the sustainability story behind Energizer Park with a guided behind-the-scenes stadium tour. Guests will learn how thoughtful design, native landscaping, innovative technology, and responsible operations help the venue divert over 80% of waste from landfills. The tour also includes access to unique stadium spaces, behind-the-scenes operations, and great photo opportunities.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 10:00 am via walking.

Please Note: This tour includes approximately 1 mile of walking, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 15 participants

See how technology, safety, and rider experience come together across the system in this immersive, multi-stop tour with Metro St. Louis.

The tour begins at the Real Time Camera Center inside the Main Shop, where participants will learn how live monitoring and system visibility support safety and operations. From there, we’ll take a short bus ride to the Grand MetroLink station to experience and see how controlled access is improving the customer environment on MeroLink platforms.

Next, attendees will board MetroLink for a brief train ride to Union Station, where the fare Collection portion of the tour will bring all of the concepts together, connecting safety, technology, and customer experience into one seamless story.

Expect a behind-the-scenes look at how cross-departmental innovation is shaping a safer, smarter transit system.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 12:00 pm via bus shuttle.

Please note: This tour includes walking inside the main shop and on MetroLink platforms, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 30 participants

Go behind the scenes to see how the future of transit is being powered today. This guided tour at the Metro Transit Brentwood garage showcases the agency’s growing fleet of battery electric buses and the infrastructure that keeps them moving.

Participants will walk through an active bus garage to learn how electric buses are maintained, charged, and integrated into daily operations. The tour will also include a visit to the end of the line at Broadway & Taylor, where attendees will see the on-street charging stations that support the buses while they are in service, a real-world look at how charging infrastructure is embedded into daily operations.

Expect an up-close look at innovative transit technology in action.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 9:00 am via bus shuttle.

Please note: This tour includes walking inside the garage and outdoors. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 25 participants

Go behind the scenes to see how the future of transit is being powered today. This guided tour at the Metro Transit Brentwood garage showcases the agency’s growing fleet of battery electric buses and the infrastructure that keeps them moving.

Participants will walk through an active bus garage to learn how electric buses are maintained, charged, and integrated into daily operations. The tour will also include a visit to the end of the line at Broadway & Taylor, where attendees will see the on-street charging stations that support the buses while they are in service, a real-world look at how charging infrastructure is embedded into daily operations.

Expect an up-close look at innovative transit technology in action.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 1:30 pm via bus shuttle.

Please note: This tour includes walking inside the garage and outdoors. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 30 participants

(JOINT TOUR: Also open to S/OPS Workshop attendees)

This isn’t your usual mode of transportation - we’re hitting the water! Join us for a memorable afternoon aboard a classic paddlewheel riverboat for a 1-hour narrated cruise along the mighty Mississippi River with Gateway Arch Riverboats.

As you sail, you’ll hear stories of the river’s role in shaping the city’s commerce and culture – all while enjoying scenic views from the water. Box lunches will be waiting onboard when we arrive (be sure to use the Eventbrite registration link to select your meal in advance). https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apta-riverboat-and-gateway-arch-tour-tickets-1987547574298?aff=oddtdtcreator

After docking, we’ll take a short walk to Gateway Arch National Park to board the trams to the top for a breathtaking view and a perfect ending to the experience.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 12:50 pm

Please Note: This tour includes approximately 1 mile of walking, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Cost: $55 a person – please register as early as possible

Capacity Limit: 40 participants

**MUST use link in tour description to register and pay for this tour!**

Discover the sustainability story behind Energizer Park with a guided behind-the-scenes stadium tour. Guests will learn how thoughtful design, native landscaping, innovative technology, and responsible operations help the venue divert over 80% of waste from landfills. The tour also includes access to unique stadium spaces, behind-the-scenes operations, and great photo opportunities.

Tour departs from Union Station Hotel at 10:00 am via walking.

Please Note: This tour includes approximately 1 mile of walking, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Capacity Limit: 15 participants