• Total expenditures for public transit are approximately $300 million annually.
• Local funding sources provide the majority of transit financing, about $175 million. In most cases, this funding has not kept pace with inflation, let alone increasing needs.
• Missouri has been very successful in receiving federal transit funding. Major capital projects like St. Louis' light rail transit systems are largely financed with federal funds. Bus purchases are typically financed with federal funds. In fiscal year 2001 Missouri received nearly $60 million in federal capital funds, with an additional $9 million in operating assistance to small cities and rural areas.
• The State of Missouri provides $6.6 million annually for public transit. This state funding partially addresses critical short-term needs throughout the state. Many rural communities would not have transit service were it not for the state's transit program.
• Public transit is an important Missouri business. Over 5,000 state residents are employed in the provision or support of public transit.

• Over 69 million passenger trips are made on Missouri's transit systems each year.
• In the state's urban areas about 70 percent of these trips are work related. Thousands of state residents rely on transit to get to and from their jobs every day.
• Public transit is a lifeline for over 600,000 disabled residents, providing access to employment, education, medical services and recreation.
  • Persons with disabilities or elderly persons make 15 percent of urban transit trips. Without transit, these residents would be unable to travel to jobs or for essential services.
  • In rural communities, the majority of transit trips are made by elderly persons or persons with disabilities. Rural transit systems serve predominantly medical trips and work trips.
• In both rural and urban areas transit systems help keep residents off public assistance programs by providing the vital transportation link from welfare to work.
• Transit service allows elderly and disabled residents to remain self-sufficient, and out of assisted housing, by providing essential transportation service.
• In St. Louis, the majority of the passengers on MetroLink are former auto commuters. Rail and bus commuter systems in St. Louis and Kansas City reduce the demand for highways and reduce highway maintenance costs.
• In 2000 a statewide survey of Missouri residents found that the public transit system is regarded as second only to the highway system in importance.

• Most rural counties meet less than 25 percent of the transit needs.
  • One out of every 14 rural households has no automobile.
  • Nearly 25% of Missouri residents over the age of 65 do not have a driver's license.
• In St. Louis, businesses in the Chesterfield Valley and other rapidly developing suburban areas cannot find enough employees due to limited transit service.
  • The transit system has been forced to cut even basic services in the core of the metro area.
  • MetroLink and commuter bus routes are at capacity and cannot be expanded to meet even current demand.
• Kansas City metro area's most rapidly developing suburbs, Lee's Summit and Blue Springs have virtually no transit service.
  • The service that exists is in jeopardy because federal funding will run out next year.
  • I-70, the link between downtown Kansas City and the eastern suburbs is critically congested and is a threat to continued economic growth.
• Transit service in Springfield, Columbia and St. Joseph is at minimal levels, less than half the level that is provided in comparable cities in other states.

MPTA supports a Multi-Modal approach to solving Missouri's transportation problems and urges the implementation of MoDOT's long-range transportation plan. MPTA has determined that $100 million in funding from the State will meet the public transit needs statewide.

• In Kansas City and St. Louis, the annual cost of just preserving and operating the existing systems is estimated at $350 million, $190 million for capital needs and $160 million for operations. Local and federal funding will cover much of this need, but shortfalls result in service reductions and aging, inefficient, bus fleets. Planned service expansion in the two largest urban areas .
  • The transit plan for the Kansas City metropolitan area prepared by the Mid America Regional Council calls for a 100 percent increase in the level of transit service and development of a high-capacity system in the urban core. The required funding is at $57 million annually.
  • Planned expansion of MetroLink services in the St. Louis area approved by the East-West Gateway Coordinating Council and restoration of system services reduced by 10% in October 2001 will require $77 million annually.
• The annual cost of preserving and operating the transit systems in Springfield, Columbia, St. Joseph and Jefferson City is $15 million. The funding requirement to improve service in these cities is $70 million annually, $53 million for capital acquisitions like new buses and facilities.

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