Happy New Year. As the 2026 Missouri Legislative session gets underway this week, we want to remind Missourians of the critical role public transit plays in our communities — whether you ride or not. Public transit is more than just a ride; it is a lifeline that connects people to essential medical care, jobs and education. The recent 42 percent reduction in state transit funding has had very real and concerning consequences, particularly for Missourians living in rural communities.
Transit matters to Missouri. It matters to our major healthcare institutions like BJC HealthCare for both their patients and employees across the state. It matters to Beth, a 32-year veteran operator with OATS Transit. And it matters to Willie, who relies on transit in Cape Girardeau to get to doctor’s appointments and the grocery store. Transit connects lives, strengthens communities and drives Missouri’s economy — providing nearly 40 million rides a year.
While transit gets thousands of Missourians to work, school and healthcare, it also fuels more than $4 billion in economic activity each year. From Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, on rural roads and city streets, transit keeps our communities moving.
As Missouri legislators convene for this session, the Missouri Public Transit Association strongly advocates for the restoration of state transit funding. An additional $5 million in general revenue is needed to return the total state operating investment for transit back to $11.7 million. This is not just about dollars and cents — it is about safeguarding the health, mobility and economic vitality of Missouri residents and employers.
Find out how you can help move the needle on transit investment in 2026 and join us for Transit Tuesdays at the State Capitol. Let’s get transit back on track in 2026.