Transit providers in every single county in Missouri are collectively delivering more than 37 million rides annually. For some, transit is the sole means by which they can gain access to work, school, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores and other needed goods and services. Others have personal vehicles but like to use public transit because it offers a safer, more cost-effective and convenient means for getting to places for work or play. Transit gets thousands of Missourians to and from their places of employment every day. It also directly employs more than 3,800 individuals –with an annual average salary of $86,400 – and indirectly adds more than 22,000 jobs to the state each year.
Transit yields an overall economic impact of $4.05 billion annually, including $481 million in spending by transit riders. Over the last five years, transit agencies spent an average of $401 million annually on capital investments. The state government collects an estimated average of $51 million in annual taxes because of the direct and multiplier effects of transit.
Transit is delivering on its promise to Missouri, but the impact could be even bigger, better and more profound especially in light of last year’s cut to state investment. Currently, Missouri ranks in the lower third of U.S. states in terms of state investment in public transit funding. Restoration of the $5 million cut from core last year will be imperative to building a stronger economy through transit access.
FEDERAL
The MPTA supported the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November, 2021. Now, MPTA is advocating for a multi-year reauthorization bill that includes federal investment in transit. We will continue to advocate for the use of these available federal funds in the following ways.
- Growth in the Highway Trust Fund’s Mass Transit Account through increased transportation investment funding or potential new funding sources.
- Key transit formula programs (Sections 5307, 5310, 5311 and 5339) funded fully out of the Highway Trust Fund’s Mass Transit.
STATE
Missouri saw a significant decrease in state investment by 42% compared to prior year with a cut of $5 million in General Revenue. Transit investment now sits at $6.7 million. This funding is critical for 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. Federal funding support requires a 50:50 match for transit operations and an 80:20 match for capital programming.
Priority #1
Support the restoration of the core $5 million in General Revenue which was cut last year to $11.7 million for transit in the state of Missouri, which includes $10 million from General Revenue and $1.7 million from the State Transportation Fund to be divided among the state’s 30 transit providers. Last year’s cut in state transit funding led to reduced service and frequency and loss of jobs, widening the gap between demand and availability of rides.
Priority #2
Support the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission request of $5 million in state investment in MEHTAP funding.
Priority #3
Oppose any efforts to allow conceal and carry on transit and advocate for local law enforcement partnerships on transit. Allowing firearms on public transit may serve as a detriment to ridership and has not been proven to enhance safety and security of the system. As such MPTA and many Missouri transit providers have and will continue to oppose any legislation which would allow carrying concealed weapons (CCW) on transit.
There are many ways for you to be involved with these efforts as MPTA members and transit supporters.
- Please contact the Missouri Congressional delegation including Congressman Sam Graves on the critical need for federal support of public transit especially in Missouri.
- Please contact your legislators now as we head into 2026 to express your interest in transit funding. There are many new legislators taking office this session and will need to hear from their constituents that transit makes a difference.
- Continue reading MPTAs eblast and blog postings that will keep you updated on where things stand.
- Call, visit or email your state legislators including the Governor’s office about the need for a state funding plan for transit
- Make sure your locally elected officials also hear from you on the importance of transit.
- Join the Missouri Public Transit Association for Transit Tuesdays at the State Capitol this legislative session.
- Write a Letter to the Editor to help build grassroots support for transit.
- RIDE TRANSIT, and invite others to get on board with you.
Thank you in advance for all you do to make Missouri a better place to be with Transit.
2026 Legislative Priorities MPTA