The Cape Girardeau Transit Authority (CTA) is teaming with local taxing board to provide transit services. Senate Bill 40 (SB40) is a state tax levy that provides funding for different programs and services for the developmentally disabled. Now known as the Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services, the organization is composed of 45 county boards.
Eighty-five out of 114 Missouri counties have established SB40 boards. In 2013, Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority began working with the Cape Girardeau County’s board, known as Cape County Board for Developmental Disabilities, to establish a transportation program. This program allows qualified individuals to purchase transportation coupons at a discounted rate, providing an average of 40 trips per month in its first year. In 2016 the Cape County Board for Developmental Disabilities contracted with Catholic Charities. This partnership has helped expand the number of individuals eligible for transit, and CTA’s ridership has dramatically increased. Last year CTA was able to provide an average of 279 trips per month for SB40 clients.
Under this program, CTA provides transportation for the developmentally disabled within Cape Girardeau County. According to Tom Mogelnicki, director of CTA, “Transportation plays a vital role in everyone’s life. These program participants are able to maximize their independence by having access to outlets to exhibit their gifts and talents productively. CTA is able to provide them with satisfaction gained from a job well done and social interaction which may not otherwise be available. SB40 and CTA allows them to have access to life without limitations.”