(Springfield, MO March 5, 2014) – OATS, Inc. is pleased to announce the completion of the Southwest Region Facility in Springfield effective February 24. The new office is located at 2909 N. Martin Avenue. Phone numbers remain the same as (417) 887-9272 for local calls or toll-free 800-770-6287.
The OATS Southwest Region office oversees 17 counties in Missouri including: Barry, Barton, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright. OATS outgrew their rental office some time ago and needed additional space for both staff and vehicles. The SW Region now has 9 office staff, 75 drivers, 250 volunteers and 115 vehicles.
“Rainy/wet conditions hampered progress during first few months of the project, but the weather held out over the last several months to enable crews to complete the facility in a timely manner,” said Jeff Robinson, Southwest Regional Director. “OATS has a rich tradition and history in the Springfield area and we are glad we were able to build a permanent home here” added Robinson.
Funds to build the new Southwest facility were through a State of Good Repair grant awarded by the Federal Transit Administration and administered by MoDOT. “We’re so pleased we were able to obtain funding for a new transit facility for our Southwest Region,” said Dorothy Yeager, OATS Executive Director. “We’re also appreciative of the administration and oversight provided by the MO Department of Transportation. Their help in assuring compliance with the federal regulations pertaining to State of Good Repair grants has been invaluable,” said Yeager.
OATS, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation providing specialized transportation for senior citizens, people with disabilities and the rural general public in 87 Missouri counties. Governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, the organization has a staff of over 750 employees and a fleet of 800 vehicles statewide. The home office is located in Columbia, Missouri with seven regional offices located throughout the state. OATS has grown to be one of the largest and most unique systems of its kind in the country.
A formal open house will be held later this year for the new facility. For more information about OATS, Inc., please visit their website at www.oatstransit.org.