Virtual Forum to Serve as Platform for Release of Findings of the “Economic Impact of Public Transit in Missouri” Study

MPTA and CMT TO HOST “TALKING TRANSIT” EVENT ON FEB. 7 

The Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) in partnership with Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), will release the findings of a six-month study it commissioned to quantify the economic impact of public transit services in the state of Missouri during its next “Talking Transit” event. The discussion will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom and is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required and can be completed here.

Those in attendance will first hear from Robert M. Lewis, FAICP, CEcD, the independent consultant and assistant professor of Urban Planning & Development at Saint Louis University who led the study. He will present the study findings that underscore the impacts of public transit on urban and rural areas of the state and the respective economies. A panel of stakeholders, including Adam Kazda, Vice-President of Government Relations with Greater St. Louis, Inc.; Frank White, CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; and Denny Ward, Executive Director of Southeast Missouri Transportation Service, will then weigh in on the findings, before the forum is opened up for questions from attendees.  The event will be moderated by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of both the Missouri Public Transit Association and Citizens for Modern Transit.

“There is a lot to be excited about as it relates to transit in the state,” commented Cella. “We encourage those with an interest in the impacts of public transit access to join this online forum.”