Traveling south to St. Louis out of Macomb (Chicago, Peoria: school, bus)

[wiustudent]

Is there any transportation available that heads to St. Louis? It seems absurd that nothing in Macomb would travel to the nearest big city but would travel north to Chicago. I know Macomb has a lot of central and southern ilinois kids and was wondering if anyone had any luck with a train route or bus route, or a combination of the two that took you to St. Louis from Macomb.

The best I could ever do without enormous layovers was a 7 hour trip where I took peoria charter to Normal and then either Amtrak or Megabus from Normal to St. Louis.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Drover]

Does the student union have a ride board? Or is that too "old school" in today's internet age -- maybe there's an online equivalent?

[wiustudent]

Originally Posted by Drover

Does the student union have a ride board? Or is that too "old school" in today's internet age -- maybe there's an online equivalent?

There is a place where the ride board is supposed to be. But it's hardly used anymore. I don't think many people car-pool with people they don't know anymore. There is no online equivalent as far as I know. I've searched for one too.

When I asked Peoria Charter about a bus that travels south to St. Louis they said they used to have a route to STL but it didn't attract enough business. I'm thinking that would change if they retried the whole thing because I've met plenty of people who are looking for the same thing in Macomb.

[linicx]

Your best bet is Springfield and plan to spend the night.

Amtrak Routes and Schedules

[A_Gazela]

Hi wiustudent! I went to WIU too and I thought it was stupid that there was not a dependable bus service between Macomb and St. Louis and also between Macomb and other towns in the area (how could SO FEW WIU folks be interested in going to STL, Springfield, Quad Cities, etc?). It was like if you had to go somewhere that wasn't Chicago or Peoria, you were just out of luck unless you had a car. It's like transportation companies try something out for a short time and then take it away for good; the big problem seemed to be (when I was there) that there were random services but they were not advertized enough, so by the time you heard about them, they were gone. Some enterprising person could do quite well offering transport throughout western IL. Good luck in your public transportation struggle!!

[cubssoxfan]

Are there any Airport Motor Coach services that go from Macomb to St. Louis, or to Springfield, or can serve as a shuttle to get you to , or near an Amtrak station?

[Central Illinois 1]

I hate to say it but Amtrak from Macomb to Chicago and then Amtrak from Chicago to STL. Trailways busses also run back and forth from STL up to Burlington, IA and MAY take route 67 through Macomb, I don't know.

[linicx]

Rural America is not served well by any type of mass transit because of what they call 'ridership'. There is no money in it. It would be nice if a bus stopped at every county seat.