The Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) is seeking proposals for a study to look at potential state funding strategies designed to support public transit in Missouri. The purpose of this study is to assess current fiscal capacity for transit expansion and operation in the state, analyze the best practices of transit strategies nationwide, examine potential changes to state constitutional language or statutes that would create additional funding sources for public transportation, develop a revenue model to project receipts from different sources and develop a menu of possible funding strategies based on the analysis and findings for local consideration.
Currently Missouri transit funding is limited to a small allocation from the State Transportation Fund (STF) at $1.7 million plus any appropriation of General Revenue by the Missouri legislature. The most recent allocation was $4.2 million, $1.7 million from the STF plus $2.5 million from the Capital Commission Funds. This level of funding represents more than a 60 percent reduction in state investment over two years. In addition, many of the rural providers lack local funding support to provide the necessary match for federal funding.
The current Missouri constitutional language with regards to gas tax revenues limits that funding to road and bridge use. By commissioning this funding study, MPTA is hoping to begin the process of building the case for and identifying pathways toward long-term, sustainable public transit financing across the state.
For the full RFP: State Funding Study Request for Proposals.
Exhibit 1 MoDOT Federal Clauses
Exhibit 2 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ISRAEL ACT CERTIFICATION