Letter To The Editor: Transit funding must remain a priority

Kimberly Cella

As Gov. Mike Kehoe and his administration begin developing Missouri’s next state budget, now is the time for transit riders, business leaders and advocates to speak up about the importance of public transportation funding.

Public transit does more than move people from point A to point B. It connects Missourians to jobs, education, health care and other essential services while supporting economic growth in communities across the state.

Over the past two years, state investment in transit operations has declined significantly amid budget challenges. This year, transit investment took a 37% reduction over the prior year. Recently, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission approved a request for $9 million in state transit assistance for Fiscal Year 2028, including $5 million in general revenue and additional State Transportation Fund support. While encouraging, much of that funding still requires approval through the state budget process.

The decisions made in the coming months will help determine whether transit providers can continue delivering reliable service to the Missourians who depend on it every day.

As budget discussions begin this October, we encourage Missourians to contact the Governor’s Office and share why transit matters in their communities. Early engagement can make a meaningful difference.

–Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of the Missouri Public Transit Association and CEO of Citizens for Modern Transit, St. Louis