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More than 6,500 active area residents, many over the age of 60, are better realizing the benefits of our region’s public transit system thanks to CMTt’s Ten Toe program. By demonstrating how to use MetroLink, MetroBus and their own two feet to get around town, the program is increasing their independence, accessibility and overall health.

“I am exercising more, have added fruits and veggies to my diet and lost 20 pounds,” commented Adreanne Pieber, an older adult living in Shrewsbury who has been a part of the Ten Toe program since its inception in 2007 and completed almost every suggested self-guided tour of the community.

“The biggest benefit of public transit is that it takes me places I wouldn’t be able to go to otherwise. I feel like I am emancipated. I have even moved all of my doctor’s appointments to Barnes Hospital so I can get there on my own. So many people I know are looking for things to do and are limiting their activities to going to bingo and church. Using the MetroLink is an adventure.”

The Ten Toe program helps participants learn how to incorporate the region’s public transit offerings, along with walking, when heading to a countless number of St. Louis destinations. It is made easy through participation in guided walk tours where leaders teach individuals how to ride the “new” modes of transportation as they discover, first hand, all the places accessible via the MetroLink alignment and MetroBus routes.

Those like Adreanne Pieber, who prefer self-guided tours, are able to log on to www.tentoes.com-stl.org to obtain Ten Toe Walk Maps that provide very detailed directions to as many as 80 different St. Louis destinations, and note the total walk distance of the tour.

Washington University Professor Dr. Ross Brownson, a leading expert in chronic disease prevention who is regarded as one of the great intellectual, educational and practice leaders in the field of evidence-based public health, commented on the significance of the Ten Toe program.

“Transit commuters are four times more likely to the meet the public health recommendation of walking 10,000 steps per day. In fact, it is estimated that these individuals walk 30 percent more than drivers,” Dr. Brownson notes. “It is well established that the lack of physical activity leads to a higher risk of common chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer. Walking is the most common type of physical activity, making the connection between transit commuting and walking particularly important.”

The Ten Toe program is offered to area residents free of charge, courtesy of CMT through funding from the Missouri Foundation for Health. Those interested in registering for the program can do so by visiting one of the eight Ten Toe registration events being held at different locations throughout the community or by logging on to www.tentoes.cmt-stl.org. Registrants are required to complete a survey discussing the participant’s health knowledge, beliefs, behaviors and barriors, as well as demographics and other general information.

All Ten Toe program participants receive a Ten Toe tote bag, a pedometer, weekly walk logs and food diaries, MetroLink tickets, St. Louis maps, safety tips and more. They gain access to Walking 101 guidelines featuring a walking checklist and information about the importance of walking and measuring and recording steps; stretching tips and background on the benefits of exercise; and important nutritional insight, like how to increase their intake of “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables which are known to be powerful in disease prevention.

“There are so many St. Louisans who shy away from taking the MetroLink or riding the bus due to the fear of the unknown,” stated Tom Shrout, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Once they try transit, see how easy it is to navigate, and experience all of its benefits – they are sold. Individuals who have tried transit for the first time through the Ten Toe program are now relying on it to get to and from ball games, concerts and special outings, as well as to doctors appointments and the grocery store and to run errands. Our mission is being accomplished. It is fantastic.”

Funding for this project is provided in part by the Missouri Foundation for Health. The Missouri Foundation for Health is a philanthropic organization whose vision is to improve the health of people in the communities it serves.

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