Time to Act for TRANSIT: Help Ensure Transit Investment Part of MO Appropriations

With little more than six weeks left of this legislative session, now is the time to weigh in for Transit investment.  During his State of the State address in January, Governor Parson outlined his budget requests omitting investment in transit. However, the House Budget Committee added back in the $7 million from General Revenue. Now, we are asking supporters of Missouri transit to reach out to members of the MO Senate Appropriations Committee asking for their support for investment in public transit.

The SFY 2024 Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission request was $17,160,875 for Missouri transit. Last year, the total core budget was $1,710,875 in State Transportation funds and $7 million in General Revenue for 34 providers.  Please ask members of the Senate Committee especially those you may know personally to support the MoDOT request for SFY2024, and please include your personal story about how this funding will impact your area/customer service base.

According to the 2022 Statewide Transit Needs Assessment Study released last year this $17 million would put Missouri in line with some of its peer states with regards to transit investment – for the first time in more than 2 decades.

Missouri is set to receive billions from the federal Infrastructure bill, but non-federal or local match funds will be required for transit. It is essential that the state increases its investment in transit so we can take advantage of federal funds to deliver much needed mobility access.  This investment in transit is a critical match to ensure Missouri providers can draw down the historic federal funding levels available for public transit back to Missouri. This is essential in both the rural and urban areas.

Missouri transit is delivering an essential mobility option and supporting jobs and the economic health of communities in Missouri. The 2019 Economic Impact of Transit in Missouri report stated that public transit has had more than a $3.67 billion direct and indirect impact on the state and supported 29,000 jobs. Missouri collects an estimated $48.8 million in taxes per year because of the economic activity and job creation triggered by transit operations and riders.

Omitting transit investment in SFY2024 is not a choice Missouri can afford. Please reach out today to let them know you are on board with Missouri Transit investment.

Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee:

MO TRANSIT FUNDING TALKING POINTS 2023