1. Any county of the first class may, by ordinance or order of the county governing body, establish a county transit authority, which shall be known as the “______ County Transit Authority” and shall consist of five members appointed by the governing body of the county. The county transit authority shall have the powers prescribed in sections 238.400 to 238.412. Any county transit authority created by this section prior to August 28, 1995, shall continue in existence under sections 238.400 to 238.412.

2. The members of the transit authority shall be residents of the county and shall have been qualified voters in the county for a period of at least one year preceding their appointment. Not more than three members of the transit authority shall belong to the same political party.

3. Each member shall be appointed by a majority of the governing body of the county for a term of four years, except that of the members first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, and two for a term of four years. The members shall elect from among their membership a chairman and such other officers as the members deem necessary. Vacancies in the transit authority shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments are made. The governing body of the county may remove any member for cause following a hearing.

4. Three members of the transit authority shall constitute a quorum, and any action or order of the transit authority shall require the approval of at least three members. All members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.