The MetroLink extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport is scheduled to open in summer 2026 as ongoing efforts on both sides of the river work to deliver reliable access to opportunity. The circumstances surrounding transit funding are changing. Illinois is headed in the right direction, while Gov. Kehoe just proposed further cuts, and if approved, transit funding in Missouri will have been slashed by 85% since he began his term. Regional transit officials shared these and other updates with over a hundred Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) members, elected officials, stakeholders and transit riders during the “Talking Transit: Trajectory of Transit in 2026” event hosted by the region’s transit advocacy agency via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 8:30 a.m.

As the St. Louis region embarks on an alternatives analysis study to determine the feasibility of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in lieu of the St. Louis MetroLink Green Line and potentially puts funding for the project back on the ballot, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) hosted a virtual “Talking Transit” event tied to the topic. The forum on Dec. 9 explored the design, development, funding, implementation and challenges of BRT systems in Minneapolis and Kansas City and how these projects are transforming transit networks, improving access and driving economic growth. Updates on the scope, funding and next steps of the BRT project in the City of St. Louis were also discussed.

On November 20, 2025, the Missouri Public Transit Association and Citizens for Modern Transit hosted the 2025 edition of the State of Transit in Missouri. Attendees heard from leaders of the state’s largest, mid-level and rural transit providers. Panelists included Transit Director with City Utilities of Springfield Matt Crawford, Executive Director of the KC Streetcar Authority Tom Gerend, Chief Operating Officer of Metro Transit Ron Forrest, Chief Mobility and Strategy Officer for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Tyler Means, and Executive Director of OATS Transit Dorothy Yeager. The forum was moderated by CEO of CMT and Executive Director of the MPTA Kimberly Cella.