Public Transit Agencies Across Missouri Face Funding Crisis
Jefferson City, MO, May 10, 2012
The Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) today released Planning for the Future of Transit, a report that elaborates on the chronic underinvestment in public transportation in Missouri, the continued erosion of service levels statewide, and the inability to invest in transit service and infrastructure improvements. This report comes at a time when broader discussions are occurring as a result of the recently formed Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri’s Transportation Needs, established by House Speaker Steven Tilley, to address transportation in Missouri. It reflects the need for greater attention to Missouri’s public transportation infrastructure as part of future transportation planning.
The MPTA report summarizes the current state of public transportation in Missouri and makes the case for increased investment in public transportation. It is estimated that an additional $250 million dollars annually would be needed to begin to address the public transportation needs of Missourians. With a return on investment of $4 for every $1 invested, public transportation must be a strong component of future transportation infrastructure planning.
Public transportation in Missouri has historically been underfunded and resources continue to shrink. Total Missouri transit funding in 2000 was $8.3 million compared to only $560,876 today. Trends in local funding for public transit are not positive either. Mark Huffer, MPTA President and General Manager of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, states “an investment in public transportation is an investment in economic development and quality of life for Missouri citizens.”
Rural Missouri public transportation providers face even greater challenges, unable to meet basic transportation needs, such as access to preventive health care, employment, education and community events. Some rural providers can only provide transportation service two days per month county-wide.
The Missouri Public Transit Association is a nonprofit trade association that values personal mobility as a basic quality of life and represents the interests of public transit in Missouri.
The MPTA Assessment Report is available here. (corrected version)