Missouri governor proposes second year of public transit cuts

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is proposing a $5 million cut in public transit funding for the 2026-2027 state budget, marking the second consecutive year of cuts to transportation services.

The proposed reduction follows a $5 million cut Kehoe made to public transportation funding last year. Rural areas would be hit the hardest by the cuts, according to transit advocates.

Public transportation providers deliver nearly 40 million rides annually in Missouri, with many of those rides occurring in rural areas where mini-buses serve as lifelines for seniors traveling to medical appointments and workers commuting to jobs.

Transit association warns of dire consequences

Kim Cella, Executive Director of the Missouri Public Transit Association, said the funding loss will affect both rural and urban providers.

“This is really dire and for providers in both the rural and the urban areas,” Cella said.

The cuts would compound existing challenges, as providers would also lose federal matching dollars tied to state funding.

Service reductions expected

Transit providers may be forced to reduce services if the cuts proceed.

“They’re looking at potentially reducing service, reducing frequency, reducing the number of operators they have,” Cella said.

The top reasons riders use public transit include getting to jobs, medical appointments and college classes.

Community impact concerns

Mandy Alley with the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce expressed concern about the impact on developmentally disabled adults who rely on public transportation to reach their jobs.

“I know those cuts will greatly impact the people of our community,” Alley said. “That’s really going to have a huge impact on those people. Those are the people we need to get behind, backing, supporting. And we really need to go to bat for them and let our governor and legislators know that’s not acceptable.”

Sara Sucharski, president and CEO of Pony Bird, a Jefferson County agency serving adults with developmental disabilities, said public transportation is often the only way her clients can reach their jobs.

“The services we provide are a lifeline for the individuals we serve and their families,” Sucharski said. “So, without these services, individuals can truly be limited to being able to continue to enrich their lives in their communities.”

Governor Kehoe’s response

A spokesperson for Governor Kehoe told First Alert 4 that the proposed reductions in funding to transit services are part of $600 million in proposed cuts to address a future projected shortfall of $2 billion. 

“Given the seriousness of Missouri’s budget imbalance, tough decisions are being made to restore responsible spending across the entirety of state government. Governor Kehoe’s administration will continue to work with stakeholders to identify opportunities to further support public transportation when fiscal conditions allow.”

State spending comparison

If the cuts proceed, Missouri’s per capita spending on transit would be $0.27, compared to Illinois at $359, Kansas at $4.21 and Arkansas at $1.20.

Christian Morgan, BJC Health vice president of government relations, said the healthcare system has had to add transportation services in rural areas.

“Providing exceptional healthcare across the state of Missouri is BJC Health’s top priority. To do so, we’ve had to add transportation to our service offerings in rural areas across the state,” Morgan said. “That said, we are healthcare experts, not transportation experts. It is imperative that Missouri funds transit so patients continue to receive much-needed rides to and from appointments, and BJC Health can go back to focusing on providing world-class healthcare.”

Governor Kehoe’s office did not respond to requests for comment.