OATS Transit has provided 1.55 million trips in fiscal year 2018. That is an increase of 80,000 more trips than the previous year. The agency has continued to grow after 47 years in business, and remains one of the nation’s largest rural transportation providers in the nation.
OATS Transit reports 45 percent of service provided in 2018 was for work transportation, 17 percent for medical, 8 percent senior center trips, 8 percent for essential shopping, and the remainder for business errands, education and recreation. OATS Transit buses cover 15.6 million miles annually.
“The steady ridership increase is a clear indication that more people and agencies are choosing our transit system,” said OATS Transit Executive Director Dorothy Yeager. Some new services over the last year included Lees Summit city transportation, a new Bagnell Dam Strip Express during the summer months, and some additional InterCity routes. “OATS Transit would not be able to provide the high level of service if it weren’t for the funding support from hundreds of agencies and individuals in Missouri,” added Yeager.
In September, OATS Transit was recognized by the Federal Transit Administration with the Rural Transit Excellence Award, for highest percentage increase in ridership. OATS Transit also received two marketing awards this year from the National Rural Transit Assistance Program in Washington DC – one for its website, and the other for is publicity materials.
OATS Transit provides specialized transportation in 87 Missouri counties. OATs Transit’s mission statement: Enhancing quality of life by providing safe, caring & reliable transportation services.