[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6184209,"mediaKeyId","5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a","parentId",5092502,"title","Committee airs competing views on draft rental-car and peer-to-peer rules; substitute adopted for further review","audioSeconds",6586,"startMs",6596000,"endMs",9156,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a&start=6596&end=9","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a/thumbnail_6596000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184209/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Committee-airs-competing-views-on-draft-rental-car-and-peer-to-peer-rules-substitute-adopted-for-further-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184209-117e764bb2c0bfe462d01ab3334d44f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440208&Signature=lp9U~VSJ4SuV4IjvYbLnvXAoKtdpkqlF1VVcwdUN6Iq4eReG-tWbvxDPaFgNuilcKnfiKlBMQg7BnE-cjQRhhZl-tI8EI2~K0o4fjstH~s1StyTREZ9b72HquKPJffL8-aBUJAyqCgN5fsr20zUkr4xLcT9m5QG4rHzLN3GtH9TXUoYMt7wYeEKrpBOAOG5x50migtwE87kKSa8bTZx4USxr6l8Tb3NlWXvay6kjZ1gHTQ4Lrvu7ALPajBbf5~5SlwlZohK8XdTyq1-uHANoXvrCERJYZyw9eKvDRUDKSenrmDcOoD-cTPTFzhKx46s0ZT9pUSN1v6vH3Ik-E65iSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Louis, MO","date","2025-06-27T14:29:31Z","article","The Transportation and Commerce Committee discussed a committee substitute to Board Bill 25, an ordinance that would change how rental activity is regulated at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, drawing competing testimony from airport staff, peer-to-peer car-sharing representatives and rental-industry trade groups.

The committee substitute was placed before the body for review and the chair moved to adopt the substitute into the public record; the substitute was adopted by the committee for further consideration. The chair noted the airport director would provide written feedback to the committee and that the item would return for further discussion.

Airport concerns: Rob Salarano, the airport's property manager, and airport staff told the committee they are reviewing the substitute and raised several operational concerns. Salarano told the committee the substitute's fee schedule language \"changes our on-airport rental car concession agreements\" and could affect minimum guarantee protections that exist in concession contracts. He also said sections that would require vehicle details such as model, color and VINs appeared unnecessary and that a placard requirement could create liability problems for peer-to-peer models whose hosts sometimes leave keys with vehicles.

Peer-to-peer operator response: Aaron Baraza, senior airport partnerships manager for Turo, asked the committee to avoid a one-size-fits-all requirement that would force peer-to-peer platforms to operate under the same terms as legacy rental-car companies. \"Turo is a peer to peer car sharing company where vehicle owners, many of which are your constituents, share their personal vehicles with those looking to book a car,\" Baraza said. He said peer-to-peer operators use markedly different operational models and that airports typically negotiate distinct permits for those differences.

Rental-industry support for parity: Don Lefebvre, executive director of the American Car Rental Association (ACRA), testified the ordinance would ensure parity for all rental activity on airport property and allow the airport to collect appropriate fees and require consistent safety and operating standards. \"This ordinance takes an important and overdue step to ensure that all rental activity at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, whether conducted by traditional rental car companies or peer to peer platforms, is treated equally under the law,\" Lefebvre said.

Next steps and public record: Committee members agreed not to vote final passage of Board Bill 25 at this session; the committee substitute was adopted to make the language available for public review and for airport staff to return with comments. The chair said he expected additional meetings in the near term to reconcile operational concerns and to allow interested parties to provide written input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation and Commerce Committee, June 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Transportation and Commerce Committee discussed a committee substitute to Board Bill 25, which would standardize rental-activity rules on airport property and drew competing testimony from airport staff, peer-to-peer operator Turo and rental-car trade groups.","taxTitle","St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Missouri","taxId",2587,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184214,"Airport wins committee approval to streamline receipt of state grants",441,6067000,6508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a&start=6067&end=6508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a/thumbnail_6067000.jpg","/articles/6184214/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Airport-wins-committee-approval-to-streamline-receipt-of-state-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184214-faf6b9704a9a75f1449c121bcc06831f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440208&Signature=POegKGHc5e3VKNXXWU5BdaLP2CyzmQM9sqV7-PnN4OTfMZMSQV6A9LCNuyw9DGOMiuhs0e5F8BYfTiuYqIDIgS4652766fdl1xTAjm8CKvMg2FjQw8T8ZpOUxcHbvFdFhUlxIRd-FP85mqGAXPpGQIEsyx0sRLHQu21N~0V2cCJ3ymdIHtilfaOyCy7-5dq3M3sJ-ftK6Eg2ak-8tFTww5P1~cUSW534tJ1SuPqw9pGu172o6Tc4rNuIdp~2s0NajKnU~EIfbbnv2tpGB6wE~pspm8vlc6JxZ7hoWZQio0pH65GzRDvcxAoYpON0oqPMsbDWUXjOpEFt1BUB0yB9iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation and Commerce Committee voted to pass out a measure that lets Lambert-St. Louis International Airport accept state grant awards more quickly, airport officials said, removing a routine two- to three-month legislative delay that has slowed use of some state funds.

Antonio Strong, deputy director of finance and administration at the airport, told the committee the ordinance would formalize a streamlined process for accepting various state grants, including awards from the Missouri Department of Transportation Aviation Trust Fund and other state agencies. \"Currently, when we receive a grant offer, we always have to draft an individual board bill or ordinance and present it for your approval,\" Strong said. He described a recent $600,000 to $700,000 aviation-fuel-tax-funded marketing grant that moved through the approval process for three to four months before the airport could begin the marketing program.

Why it matters: State grants commonly fund airport marketing, infrastructure projects and other programs. Strong told the committee the change will allow the airport to receive and use funds more quickly and cited the example marketing grant as one where earlier access would have improved timeliness.

Committee action: The committee unanimously passed board bill 17 out with a due-pass recommendation. Committee members asked airport staff to commit to routine notifications when state grants are accepted and to provide details about each grant's purpose; Strong said the airport would do so and had already committed to keeping the committee informed.

Ending: The committee advanced the bill and asked the airport to maintain transparency on grants and any conditions attached to them as the airport proceeds with a potential consolidated terminal and other projects.","City committee approved a board bill to let the airport more quickly accept state grant offers for operational and capital work; airport officials said the change will allow faster marketing and project work that previously waited months for legislative approval.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184218,"Metro officials defend $60 million secure-platform project as aldermen raise accessibility and cost concerns",2359,2949000,5308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a&start=2949&end=5308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a/thumbnail_2949000.jpg","/articles/6184218/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Metro-officials-defend-60-million-secure-platform-project-as-aldermen-raise-accessibility-and-cost-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184218-abfadae8fc6f499fa5711a10870fb04b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440208&Signature=elaGXWUn1fupRzuLyaoOexqxANPk3ClGHRGafb1XJj3HaU19gGtReUXOVt8XNK7J-wVjcKWaL5qZqYbL2GLwdNa-IpowIvZVtEGsgvmcSV~S3TGGgXzbawJ2xEP2UR~rLwIs8daFbtuScpisUuIbltwNKOLheVIJxSXYXXRS-VvqbHdKzWjwBuVQ24gED66IG6qjdeaWQFxH8MryFMxozn0lfRL4GVFIX1f9D39EOIZ7~U4uvftXzd5cSni~VW~4MQRrbxtvuplN2fFLKEEcAZqaiUOVvFIISRJwMGDNiHKCAE99~slrLOou8WrtUOwHwmHJC5ZppKyI8PtpduYhNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Metro Transit officials defended a phased rollout of a Secure Platform Program (SPP) and a new fare system during questioning from St. Louis City aldermen, who raised concerns about accessibility, the project's cost and the short-term customer experience at some stations.

Talby Roach, Metro's chief executive, said perception of safety is a key goal of the program and that the agency had already observed local results from pilots. \"Perception of safety within the system is an absolute tenet,\" Roach told the committee as he described pilot gates at several stations and a parallel, $25 million fare-media project to modernize fare collection and enable phone tap payments.

A consultant's report and disagreement: Committee members cited a 2023 consulting study by WSP USA Inc. that the Post-Dispatch had summarized as finding \"there wasn't much correlation between serious crime and fare evasion.\" Alderman Browning asked why Metro installed gates despite that finding. Roach replied that while the consultant's analysis is valuable, Metro is also responding to public perception and to requests from taxpayers and business leaders to increase safety and to stabilize fare collection. He said private-sector contributions and other funding produced a large program and that the camera network and partnerships with law enforcement are complementary elements.

Costs, timing and customer experience: Committee members pressed Metro on cost and rollout timing. Roach said the original construction estimate for gates was about $52 million and that current estimates were near $61 million, citing market conditions. He said the full system is slated to be operational in January 2026 and acknowledged a phased rollout has required attendants at some gates during the transition.

Accessibility and disabled-rider concerns: Chuck Stewart, Metro's chief operating officer (retiring), described efforts to improve service for riders with disabilities, noting paratransit denial rates have fallen to zero in recent months after operational changes. Committee members and disability advocates sought assurances that SPP will be ADA compliant and that Metro will continue to consult Paraquad and other groups; Metro said it is working with an accessibility subcommittee and conducting outreach and tests with advocacy partners.

Public debate: Several aldermen said they supported cameras and other measures but worried that nonfunctioning or manned gates could harm customer experience. Alderman Browning said the project risked being viewed as a \"boondoggle\" if gates remained nonoperational at finished stations; Roach and Metro staff asked for patience during system integration and highlighted anecdotal pilot results that Metro said showed ridership increases at some pilot stations.

Ending: Metro officials invited further oversight and suggested the committee schedule follow-up briefings on SPP and the fare project as the agency completes the phased implementation.","Metro officials told the committee the Secure Platform Program and new fare system aim to improve passenger safety and fare collection; aldermen and advocates pressed Metro on effectiveness, timeline, accessibility for riders with disabilities and project cost overruns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6184223,"Metro Transit presents 2026 budget, requests roughly $47.6 million in local appropriations",4858,1160000,6018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a&start=1160&end=6018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092502-5b5e37044669d6223d60911fc622027a/thumbnail_1160000.jpg","/articles/6184223/St-Louis-City/St-Louis-County/Missouri/Metro-Transit-presents-2026-budget-requests-roughly-476-million-in-local-appropriations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184223-bea82a96b42b49d992d4387f3bf1701c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440208&Signature=lxHRmTddf7AeVnJysXC2-fZfjoI8g7pyv~kt9KP4b0CrVlGo7iiv0Z4wQ06xlrku1NwRhlfTci9JPRVQ8pYtYvizThARaEiZu~QoVC2xeOC6AXX1oADjxiTwm9RfcFSIHNcNCiaVsF4S~EG1WYgBXdUcg1ZqmLW0ccRajjA2~FCl2cWDsig9yqx-tdPvNIWY26dG1BqqpcWmgbi9k~hFZfrFr7ndhzQsSLo8gG9fG0m7WVA1BsZHEpe8zceNtjZV2PoFE4qVUWbOwsF6L9BfOkGm~~CJCq5LCmdqpqYzXSmPoF~-PRWepLRs7mEVFZ8JupB~9PW7nxHskwms4NBu2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Metro Transit officials told the St. Louis City Transportation and Commerce Committee on a recent morning that the agency's 2026 budget anticipates about $344.2 million in revenue and roughly $334.0 million in operating expenses and that the agency is requesting $47.6 million in local appropriations for the coming year.

The budget presentation, given by Talby Roach, president and CEO of Biostate Development (which operates Metro Transit), and Tammy Fulbright, Metro's chief financial officer, placed projected passenger revenue at about $19.5 million for 2026 and said grant, sales-tax and contractual revenue will be the largest funding source. Roach told the committee the agency seeks to keep operating revenues aligned with local tax growth and to limit requests for additional appropriations.

Agency leaders said the 2026 budget shows a modest operating gap that Metro plans to manage by finding internal efficiencies. \"We are dedicated to that at Metro Transit,\" Roach said during the presentation. CFO Tammy Fulbright detailed line items, saying in budget notes, \"So in total for '26, we have revenue of 344,200,000 approximately.\" The budget documents presented to the committee showed an operating expense total of about $334,000,000 and a projected deficit Metro officials said they will manage without asking for more than the requested appropriations.

Why it matters: Local appropriations and sales tax distributions fund day-to-day transit operations and capital projects. Committee members pressed Metro on ridership, reserve balances and how the agency plans to close remaining gaps. Aldermen asked for additional year-to-date financial detail and for follow-up on capital project timing tied to reduced interest income.

Committee action and next steps: The committee took up three related board bills that appropriate local transit taxes. Board bill 35, the appropriation from the 1974 transportation sales tax, was presented to the committee as an appropriation of approximately $26.3 million. Board bill 36 (described in the presentation as the Prop 1 transit sales tax appropriation) for about $13.6 million and board bill 37 (a second appropriation from the transit sales tax, referred to as Prop M2) for an equivalent amount were also before the committee. Each of the three bills was moved, seconded and passed out of committee with a \"due pass\" recommendation. The roll call on board bill 35 recorded four ayes: Alderman Oldenburg, Alderman Orion, Alderman Schweitzer and Chair Cone.

Details from the presentation: Metro said wages and benefits represent the largest expense (just over 60% of the operating budget) and cited union contract adjustments and medical and workers-comp costs as primary drivers of increases. Metro also noted a notable reduction in interest income compared with prior years because several capital projects are progressing and cash balances that formerly earned interest have declined. The agency said depreciation and federally funded capital projects (including a planned light-rail vehicle replacement) explain larger nonoperating deficits that are covered by federal capital grants.

Officials asked the committee to consider the request as part of the city and county's normal annual appropriations process and said they would provide follow-up materials on 2025 year-to-date actuals and on reserve/cash-flow treatment.

Public and committee concerns: Committee members and city aldermen asked about ridership trends, fare revenue, reserve levels and how Metro will address the residual deficit. Alderman Oldenburg asked for ridership year-over-year metrics; Roach and Metro's operations leaders said ridership has increased annually since the COVID decline but average fare yield has fallen, which they attribute in part to increased pass usage and an aging fare system. Several aldermen asked for additional information on bus stop amenities, shelter and maintenance plans, and the agency said it is exploring a targeted small capital fund and municipal partnership model for prioritized stop improvements.

Ending: Metro officials said they would return with additional financial detail and updates on capital projects and service changes. The committee approved the three appropriation bills to advance with due-pass recommendations and indicated it may seek additional budget briefings in a future meeting.

","Metro Transit officials presented the agency's 2026 operating and capital budgets to the St. Louis City Transportation and Commerce Committee, outlined a modest operating deficit and requested about $47.6 million in city appropriations while committee members approved three related appropriation bills.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee airs competing views on draft rental-car and peer-to-peer rules; substitute adopted for further review

Airport wins committee approval to streamline receipt of state grants

Metro officials defend $60 million secure-platform project as aldermen raise accessibility and cost concerns

Metro Transit presents 2026 budget, requests roughly $47.6 million in local appropriations