Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed into a law HB 3004 today with historic funding levels for transit. The Missouri State Legislative Session adjourned in May with a significant move in support of public transportation. For the first time in two decades, Missouri was set to invest $8.7 million in transit – a sum that would be split amongst the 34 transit providers operating in the state. The final step was the Governor’s signature which came today. HB3004 also included an additional $2 million for the MEHTAP program. A breakdown of the bill is available here.
“This increase is critically needed – considering Missouri is ranked 45th in the nation for transit investment and had allocated only $1.7 million each of the last four consecutive years – but it will go so much further when considering federal matches,” said Kimberly Cella, executive director of the Missouri Public Transit Association.
This funding will help provide the non-federal or local match required to enable transit providers to draw down some of the $91 billion in federal funds earmarked for transit as part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Federal funding support requires a 50:50 match for transit operations and an 80:20 match for capital programming. Missouri transit providers have been working diligently to identify local funding sources through sales tax, private contracts and more, but the most significant missing link up to this point had been the lack of state funding. This would be the case no more.
Missouri is finally back on track. This funding will help expand transit accessibility and continue allowing transit providers to deliver millions of rides annually so Missourians can gain access to jobs, healthcare needs, education, goods and services.
Special thanks to those who stood in support of transit. Thank you.