OATS Transit

Oats Transit is general public transportation system serving 87 counties in the state of Missouri. Annually, the agency provides one million one-way trips, and travels more than 10.8 million miles with a fleet of over 700 vehicles. Normal operating hours are monday through friday, 6:00 am-6:00 pm. Many times the agency operates outside of those hours due to the nature of the transportation such as dialysis treatments, medical appointments and long-distance travel. In addition to its operating expenses, replacement of vehicles is a top priority for the agency to ensure its fleet is safe and operates efficiently. Oats Transit raises funds through donations and grants to purchase new vehicles. While federal grants pay for a portion of its fleet, a 20% local match is required for each new vehicle. This is a challenge and takes years to get funds to be able to match one vehicle. The agency has an extensive fleet plan which includes future expansion needs and major repairs on each vehicle. Our long-term goal is to provide the most transportation service for the dollars received and look for other means of support to continue our mission. A quarterly newsletter is mailed to more than 20,000 people and also shared on the agency's various social media sites. The agency website provides general information, as well as bus schedules for all 87 counties it serves.