Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Graphed: While Gas Tax Erodes, Transit Fares Climb

Fares for St. Louis' Metro transit system compared with the gas tax. Image: NextSTL
Fares for St. Louis's Metro transit system are rising steadily and outpacing inflation while the Missouri gas tax stagnates. Graphic: NextSTL
false

This is an illuminating chart, produced by Richard Bose at Network blog NextSTL. It shows how Missouri electeds have let the gas tax steadily erode in real dollars while transit riders have been subjected to repeated fare increases.

Now, Bose explains, state officials are preparing to double-down on this double standard:

Metro is considering raising fares again. Missouri voters may consider a 1% general sales tax to pay for transportation this fall. A gas tax increase and tolls are seen as DOA, thus the push for a sales tax. Let’s see how the gas tax and Metro fares have fared since the last gas tax increase in 1996.

The gas tax of 17 cents would be 25 cents today, and the state would have raised about 20% more from the gas tax since 1996 had it kept up with inflation (I’m assuming the number of gallons taxed each year was constant, which is pretty close to reality)

As you can see the value of the gas tax has been eroded by inflation while Metro fares have outpaced it. Of course this isn’t the whole picture. Property and local sales taxes and the Federal gas tax (hasn’t increased since 1993) and general revenues also fund streets, roads, and highways, and local sales taxes, federal, and a minute amount of state money goes into Metro. But this puts into perspective just who is paying their “fair” share.

This is a great visual and it would be interesting to see the same data graphed for more cities.

Elsewhere on the Network today: The Bike League encourages people to contact U.S. DOT after the agency punted on establishing benchmarks to reduce cyclist and pedestrian fatalities. Urban Review STL says the city of St. Louis needs to establish upper limits on parking at local businesses instead of minimums. And Strong Towns attempts to determine the "winners" and "losers" from a Minnesota plan to raise the gas tax to fund road projects.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts