The St. Clair County Transit District held an event on Friday to showcase the impact of its new LED lighting program implemented at every Illinois MetroLink Station in partnership with Ameren Illinois and Bi-State Development. The upgrade to LED lights is expected to reduce the cost of monthly electric service for the District by approximately 60 percent and improve safety and security at the stations.
Pictured (left to right): Herb Simmons, chair of the St. Clair County Transit District Board of Trustees; Mark Kern, Chair of the St. Clair County Board; Lonnie Mosley, SCCTD Board Member; Toni Perrin, SCCTD Board Member; Ken Sharkey, Managing Director, SCCTD; Richard Mark, Chairman and President, Ameren Illinois; Bob Snell, Pyramid Electric; and Patti Beck, Director of Communications, Bi-State Development.
St. Clair County, IL, October 25, 2019 – The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), in partnership with Ameren Illinois, recently completed a new lighting project at all MetroLink stations in its service area. The lighting project, which included upgrading outdoor lighting from halogen to LED at all 11 Illinois stations, will enhance the rider experience while improving safety, efficiency, and security at the stations.
“We are excited about this opportunity to enhance our system through a local partnership with Ameren Illinois. Through the grant, SCCTD is able to implement a new LED lighting program at each station, providing significantly better illumination and saving money for the District. Our number one priority is our riders. This program demonstrates that priority while being fiscally responsible as an agency,” said Herb Simmons, chair of the St. Clair County Transit District Board of Trustees.
The SCCTD Board approved the project in May and it was completed in early October. Pyramid Electric was awarded the contract for the project. The upgrade to LED lights is expected to reduce the cost of monthly electric service for the District by approximately 60 percent. SCCTD is receiving incentives through Ameren Illinois' Energy Efficiency Program that will reduce the out of pocket expense of the projects. Incentives are calculated based on the energy savings achieved by the lighting conversion and will pay for up to 15 percent of the total project costs.
Replacing aging outdoor halogen lights with brighter LED bulbs will boost night-time visibility for patrons using the Metro system and parking lots. "Plus, the images we're capturing on our parking lot security cameras are much sharper and that will aid law enforcement in policing the facilities," added Ken Sharkey, Managing Director of SCCTD.
"I commend the SCCTD Board for undertaking this project," said Richard Mark, Chairman and President of Ameren Illinois. "It's not only good for the bottom line of the District, but the safety and environmental benefits will be realized by local citizens for many years to come. Ameren Illinois is glad to partner with SCCTD to make it happen."
“This project is a perfect example of the power of partnerships, and how working together, we can make an investment that both saves taxpayer money and improves the comfort, safety and overall transit experience for our customers,” said Taulby Roach, president and CEO of Bi-State Development.
Founded in 1981, St. Clair County Transit District oversees 11 MetroLink stations and 18 bus routes in St. Clair County, IL. If commuters have any questions about service, they can contact (618) 628-8090 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. For more information visit www.scctd.org.
Ken Sharkey, Managing Director
St. Clair County Transit District
618-628-8090
Marcelyn Love, Communications Executive
Ameren Illinois
217-381-2241