Fiscal Year 2023 was a historic year for public transit in Missouri. Record amounts of transit funding were made available at both the state and national levels. A second study to quantify the economic impact of public transit got underway, while work continued to address needs identified in the first report. Educational efforts were furthered, and plans were put in place for new, statewide programming – all while actively addressing the nationwide transit operator shortage plaguing Missouri.
Public transit delivers billions to the state’s bottom line each year and ensures daily transportation accessibility to nearly everyone in every county. This has fueled the mission of the Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) for more than four decades. We serve as a unified voice for public and specialized transit providers, stakeholders, vendors and partners from across the state who are collectively working to raise awareness about the role of public transit and why it needs to be an investment priority.
This year the association’s board renewed its focus and will be prioritizing the goals:
* Elevating the value of transit in Missouri.
* Building new coalitions to expand advocacy base.
* Promoting and supporting MPTA members.
As we continue to celebrate some significant wins, we must reinforce that challenges remain, especially as it relates to operator shortages and supply chain issues. The MPTA will be working tirelessly to help support the 32 transit providers in the state, while expanding its support base through other community organizations, employers and stakeholders impacted by public transit.
Public transit is delivering for Missouri. Get on board in 2024 and help us keep the momentum going.
Taulby Roach, President of the MPTA
Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of the MPTA