The Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) and Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) brought together transportation leaders from across the state on Nov. 10 for the virtual State of Transit in Missouri forum.
The panel featured Matt Crawford, director of transit for City Utilities of Springfield; Ed Hassinger, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation; Tracy Jones, executive director of Southeast Missouri Transportation Service; and Taulby Roach, president and CEO of Bi-State Development. Kimberly Cella, CEO of CMT and executive director of MPTA, moderated the discussion.
The conversation touched on continued ridership growth, increasing demand for paratransit services, changing travel patterns and mobility needs, the importance of partnerships and transit’s role in supporting economic and community development.
Against the backdrop of a state budget deficit of billions of dollars, panelists also emphasized that securing much-needed state funding for transit will require demonstrating why transit is a priority among competing state needs and how that investment supports priorities beyond transportation. They stressed the importance of riders, advocates and organizations sharing their stories with elected officials to demonstrate the need for transit investment as difficult budget decisions are made in the months ahead. Every voice matters, and people are encouraged to weigh in.
Watch the discussion in its entirety below.