Transit Funding Tops 2026 Legislative Priorities List

Transit funding and regional transit priorities top the list of 2026 Legislative Priorities for CMT  Missouri saw a significant decrease in state investment by 42% compared to prior year with a cut of $5 million in General Revenue. Transit investment now sits at $6.7 million.  This funding is critical for the non-federal or local match required to enable transit providers to draw down some of the $91 billion in federal funds earmarked for transit. Federal funding support requires a 50:50 match for transit operations and an 80:20 match for capital programming.

FEDERAL

CMT supported the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021, which provided a five-year, $91 billion transit authorization as part of the $1.2 trillion measure. Now is the time to support a multi-year reauthorization bill that includes federal investment in transit.  CMT will continue to advocate for the use of these available federal funds:

• Growth in the Highway Trust Fund’s Mass Transit Account through increased transportation investment funding or potential new funding sources to avoid insolvency.
• Predictable, steady growth in key formula programs (Sections 5307, 5310, 5311 and 5339) throughout the reauthorization.
• Critical funding for regional expansion projects.

STATE

The following priorities are the main areas of focus across the bi-state region.

Priority #1

Support the restoration of the core $5 million in General Revenue which was cut last year to $11.7 million for transit in the state of Missouri, which includes $10 million from General Revenue and $1.7 million from the State Transportation Fund to be divided among the state’s 30 transit providers. Last year’s cut in state transit funding led to reduced service and frequency and loss of jobs, widening the gap between demand and availability of rides.

Priority #2

Support the continuation of Illinois State Operating Assistance at $50 million for St. Clair County, Ill.

Priority #3

Oppose any efforts to allow conceal and carry on transit and advocate for local law enforcement partnerships on transit. Allowing firearms on public transit may serve as a detriment to ridership and has not been proven to enhance safety and security of the system. As such CMT and many Missouri transit providers have and will continue to oppose any legislation which would allow carrying concealed weapons (CCW) on transit.

Priority #4 
Advocate for public funding for public transit providers.

LOCAL

CMT will also continue to advocate for transit on the hyper-local level through the following efforts.

• Support of prioritized public transit project(s) determined by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the local metropolitan planning organization, including regional transit projects like the Northside-Southside corridor.
• Advocate and support for local transit funding, ensuring St. Louis County funding passed for public transit remains for public transit.
• Ensure the region’s local transit system is safe/secure for current and future riders by advocating for the adoption of action items outlined in security audit of MetroLink.
• Support of local placemaking and development projects near transit.
• Support of local legislation/policy/zoning promoting development near transit

There are many ways for you to be involved with these efforts as CMT members and transit supporters.

1. Please contact your legislators now as we head into 2026 to express your interest in transit funding.  There are many new legislators taking office this session and will need to hear from their constituents that transit makes a difference.
2. Continue reading CMT’s eblast and blog postings that will keep you updated on where things stand.
3. Call, visit or email your state legislators including the Governor’s office about the need for a state funding plan for transit
4. Make sure your locally elected officials also hear from you on the importance of transit.
5. Join CMT and the Missouri Public Transit Association for Transit Tuesdays at the State Capitol this legislative session.
6. Write a Letter to the Editor to help build grassroots support for transit.
7. RIDE TRANSIT, and invite others to get on board with you.

Thank you in advance for all you do to make St. Louis a better place to be with Transit.

2026 Legislative Priorities