The people who run gas stations, restaurants, and convenience stores don’t want any competition from the state. They’re opposed to suggestions the state commercially develop rest stops. The Missouri Department of Transportation has no plans to compete by opening businesses in rest stops. But, representatives of the truckstop and convenience store associations want to make sure MoDOT does not change its position. Businesses in local communities are concerned that allowing private companies to sell gasoline, food, and other items in rest stops will unfairly compete with local restaurants and gas stations. A ban on privatization of highway rest stops is waiting for discussion in the State Senate.
