Transit funding tops the list of MPTA’s legislative priorities for FY17. The economic future of the State of Missouri is tied directly to its commitment to funding of the State’s infrastructure.
Investment in public transit throughout Missouri delivers proven economic results, and promotes private development and reinvestment in both rural and urban under-resourced communities. Community leaders across the State have identified public transit priorities that will increase service and yield significant positive economic returns. These plans will improve access to opportunity, attract talent, and create thousands of jobs – all priorities of Missouri’s newly elected state leadership. MPTA will be advocating for state and federal policies and funding for operating and capital for transit to provide an opportunity for these plans to come to fruition.
At the state level, MPTA, representing Missouri transit providers, is calling for the restoration of operating funding to 2002 levels of $8.3 million. This funding is split between 32 transit providers across Missouri. In addition, MPTA will be advocating for the reinstatement of cost sharing program like the Missouri Moves Cost Share Program which for the first time had allocated one-third of the dollars to multi-modal projects. These programs provide an opportunity for MO transit providers to leverage local dollars to look at both capital and operating needs in their respective areas.
In addition, MPTA supports a long-term total transportation funding strategy for MO.
Federally, MPTA supported the passage of a long-term Federal Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act to replace and restructure the authorization levels articulated in the two-year MAP-21 legislation which has been extended numerous times. President Obama signed a new five-year transportation bill into law in December, 2015. While there is $61 billion for transit over the five years, the new required matching formula is 50:50. One more reason the State of Missouri needs to step up for transit. In addition, the level of funding for bus capital and operating no where meets the demand demonstrated through the last two grant funding cycles – far outweighing the amount available.
There are many ways for you to be involved with these effort:
1. Become a member of the MPTA.
2. Continue reading MPTA’s monthly eblast and blog postings that will keep you updated on where things stand.
3. Call, visit or email your state legislators about the need for a state funding plan for transit. There will be many new legislators taking office this session and will need to hear from their constituents that transit makes a difference.
4. Contact Governor Elect Greitens about the need for Missouri to support public transit.
5. Join us for Transportation Day on February 7 in Jefferson City.
6. RIDE TRANSIT, and invite others to get on board with you.
Thank you in advance for all you do to make St. Louis a better place to be with Transit!