By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – If Governor Matt Blunt signs legislation now on his desk, the transit agency Metro will get a big break on its fuel bill.
The measure would exempt Metro from state fuel taxes, and save the agency about $900,000 a year.
Metro had originally sought $20 million from lawmakers to help offset a major budget shortfall.
But spokeswoman Adella Jones said the tax break means Metro may now borrow money. And the extra cash will mean no cuts to bus service.
"We went in looking for one general revenue appropriation," Jones said. "We walked away from the state with something that gives us a leg to stand on."
Jones said Metro buses burn about 5.5 million gallons of diesel fuel every year.
Metro is also getting federal money to expand some bus routes during the Highway 40 overhaul.
Meanwhile, Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee and Governor Blunt are pushing for an audit of the agency because of major cost overruns with the MetroLink extension project.