Letter to the Editor, Southeast Missourian, August 25, 2025
Gov. Kehoe’s decision to cut State Transit Assistance has resulted in a $48,000 funding reduction for Southeast Missouri Transportation Service (SMTS). While this reduction may not seem significant to some, coupled with rising costs for vehicles and wages, it places a heavy financial strain on rural transportation. The impact of state funding cuts is not limited to SMTS in Southeast Missouri. Other transportation providers in Missouri, like OATS Transit, have also felt the strain. Since 2020, the Missouri minimum wage has increased by over 45%, up over 23% since 2022, and will go up another 9% in 2026. Additionally, the cost of transit vehicles has nearly doubled in recent years, going from roughly $55,000 per vehicle to almost $100,000 per vehicle. With an overall decrease of 42% in State Transit Assistance, transit providers across the state are seeking out ways to bridge the gap.
SMTS has been providing rural transportation since 1973, covering 21 counties in Southeast Missouri, providing consistent, safe, and accessible transportation. Countless individuals rely on our services. Service reductions would have an enormously negative impact on the community, leaving individuals with limited or no access to transportation for employment, medical appointments, groceries, and other essential services. This is especially detrimental in rural areas, where other modes of transportation are not available, and walking isn’t an option. Reduced services are not an option we are willing to accept, so we will continue to advocate for funds that make public transportation possible.
We are urging individuals throughout Southeast Missouri to contact our state representatives and advocate for the restoration of transit funding. State transit funding affects all Missourians in need of transportation, not just seniors or individuals with disabilities. Current state transit funding levels are not sufficient for the level of transportation service that Missouri residents need and expect.
Missouri’s state funding per capita dropped from $1.89 to $1.08 due to the state transit funding cuts. By comparison, neighboring states invest far more: Nebraska ($3.18), Kansas ($4.21), Oklahoma ($2.65), Tennessee ($9.15), and Illinois at an astounding $359.49 per capita. Missouri has long stood out as one of the few states providing public transportation in every single county. This is a distinction to be proud of, and one worth protecting. As more and more Americans plan to age in their homes, transportation will become increasingly more important. Together, we must continue pushing for the funding that keeps us connected and secures future public transportation.
Please reach out to your state representatives and local legislators. Let them know the importance of rural transportation and that funding must be restored.
Tracy Jones, Executive Director of Southeast Missouri Transportation Service (SMTS) and Missouri Public Transit Association Board Member