| This week, the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee released its version of the state budget bills including HB2004 which includes restoration of the $5 million in funding for transit investment. Currently, Missouri State Transit Assistance totals $6.7 million – $5 million from the Capitol Commission Funds plus $1.7 million from the State Transportation Fund. The bill was passed out of committee on April 15, 2026.
In January, Governor Kehoe proposed cutting $5 million in transit funding from General Revenue in his FY2027 budget recommendations. This came on the heels of a 42% reduction in state funding last year. If enacted, the additional cut would leave just $1.7 million to be split among 30 transit providers statewide for operating assistance. Per capita spending has already dropped from $1.89 to $1.08 in the last year — which is among the lowest in the nation — and would drop to 27 cents under the governor’s proposal. The House Budget Committee supported this stance in their budget released in March.
“Kudos to Senate Appropriations Chair Rusty Black and the bipartisan leadership within the Senate Appropriations Committee for supporting public transit, said Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of the Missouri Public Transit Association. “Public transit providers deliver nearly 40 million rides each year across rural and urban Missouri, while also stimulating $4 billion in economic activity statewide. Restoration of the $5 million will ensure that countless Missourians maintain access to reliable transportation. Without this funding, the impending service cuts or loss of service altogether would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including seniors, individuals with disabilities and those living in rural and underserved areas. It means losing access to jobs, dialysis appointments, essential health care services, necessary medications and groceries. It is critical now for riders, advocates and supporters to reach out to their Senators and the Governor’s office to ensure this $5 million remains in the budget.”
May 8 is the deadline for approval of the Missouri budget. The Missouri Public Transit Association, Citizens for Modern Transit, riders, providers, stakeholders and advocates have been reaching out to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on the dire impacts of reducing transit assistance to zero from General Revenue. Now is the time to reach out to Senators and the Governor’s office to support this funding.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR OUTREACH
The Missouri Public Transit Association has compiled an easy, step-by-step guide to assist you in requesting support for public transit. Please take 5 minutes to send the email below to your state Senator and ask them to support the $6.7 million in public transit investment in HB 2004 requested by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for Missouri transit, maintaining the public transit funding levels of 2025.
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Step 1: If your senator wants more information on the importance of transit in MO, share this link to the “Faces of Missouri Transit” information page. Upon request, we can provide Senators with information on the potential impacts of a reduction in state transit funding.
Step 2: Find contact information for your MO Senator by clicking here. You can search for your Senator by address, zip code, etc., and find their email (or contact form), office address, and phone number. If you have trouble locating an email address and prefer not to use a contact form, most MO Senate email addresses use first and last names with a period in between. (first.last@senate.mo.gov). If you need additional help, contact MPTA at kcella@mopublictransit.org.
Step 3: Use the template below to share your request for support, along with key facts, or tell your own local story. You can also mail a letter or call your Senator. This template can be used as a letter or a script for a phone call. The template may be modified to reflect your unique situation. If you live in one district and work at a transit system in a different district, please contact both Senators. Additionally, encourage other community leaders (mayors, city/county council members, board members, riders, employees, etc.) to send their own letters of support on behalf of your public transit.
Step 4: Let us know you completed this task by sending an email to kcella@mopublictransit.org
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Email Template/Script:
Dear Senator _________________;
I represent the ________________ (Enter Transit Name) and live in ________________ (Enter your Town or Zip Code). I am writing to request your support for public transit during this session.
Please support the restoration of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission request of $6.7 million in transit operating assistance for Missouri transit in HB 2004, maintaining the public transit funding levels provided in the previous budget cycle.
Fully funding this budget request is vital to keeping Missourians moving. Public transit providers deliver nearly 40 million rides each year across rural and urban Missouri, while also stimulating $4 billion in economic activity statewide.
It’s also important to understand the significant economic impacts of public transit in Missouri and why you should support these efforts when you vote.
- Any cuts to transit investment will have a dire impact on residents in rural and urban areas across the state.
- Transit is an essential service and a tool for economic growth, providing transportation to work and access to critical services like medical care and food.
- Public transit in Missouri promotes personal mobility by providing nearly 40 million rides annually.
- Public transit yields an overall economic impact of $4.08 billion annually in the state of Missouri. State government collects an average of $51 million in annual taxes because of the direct and multiplier effects of transit.
- Public transit contributes to job retention and growth in direct and indirect sectors.
- Public transit supports vulnerable citizens and enhances the quality of life. Without access to transportation, we would see a decrease in independent living for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Thank you for supporting Missourians in rural and urban areas who need safe and reliable transit service by supporting the restoration of public transit funding in HB 2004 to the $6.7 million requested by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission.
I’m happy to answer any questions. We also invite you to visit our transit system and see the significant impact we make in our community. Additional transit information can also be found on our website __________________ and by visiting www.mopublictransit.org.
Sincerely,
Name
Transit
Phone
Email
MPTA thanks you for your time and effort in sending emails and making phone calls in support of public transit funding for the state of Missouri. |
