In June, a $200 million appropriation for transit was passed by the St. Louis County Council as part of Bill 113, which included a 34:66 split of the 1973 half-cent sales tax, allocating 34% to public transit and 66% to roads and bridges. As a result of this reduced allocation to transit from sales tax revenues, coupled with sales tax revenues not meeting projections and all funds from the 1994 Prop M ¼ cent sales tax and the 2010 Prop A ½ cent sales tax being utilized for operations, Bi-State Development is now facing a $7 million funding deficit from St. Louis County. Service cuts may occur without a solution, yet St. Louis County Council members are asking for more transit service and improved bus stop amenities.
In response, President and CEO of Bi-State Development Taulby Roach, along with his team, proposed a 30-month, $25 million Financial Plan for Transit Investment during the St. Louis County Council meeting on Sept. 16. The plan includes:
Bi-State Development suggests funding the proposal as part of a one-time appropriation from the Prop A Reserve Fund. County Council Chairwoman Days called for a Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the proposed plan further.
“Citizens for Modern Transit supports Bi-State Development’s one-time appropriation request as it will increase bus service, fund bus stop improvements and solve the sales tax shortfall,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “From a long-term viability standpoint, however, it is imperative that St. Louis County returns, at minimum, to the 1973 sales tax split of 50:50 between public transit and funding for roads and bridges. St. Louis County voters have demonstrated support for transit – in 1973, 1994 and again in 2010 when it was supported by 63% of voters despite an economic downturn. Plus, St. Louis County’s 2050 Long Range Plan has since revealed the public’s continued interest in transit. Fifty-two percent of surveyed residents ranked transit access among their top ten priorities, and local businesses are increasingly seeking locations with strong transit connections to attract and retain workers. Transit accessibility is critical to communities throughout St. Louis County, and the funding splits approved this year simply do not cut it and definitely do not support the future of transit.”
CMT will provide updates on this proposal as they become available, however, please reach out to your County Council member to ensure they support transit and investment in transit moving forward.
