OATS Transit Newsletter, January 2025

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The Wheel

Digital News Publication - January 2025

Local Match Helps Determine Service Since 1971, OATS Transit has provided transportation for thousands of rural residents of all ages across the 87 counties we serve. Last year, we facilitated 910,120 trips. Since the pandemic began, we faced many challenges, but we continue to persevere in order to support those who rely on our service to meet their basic needs and maintain their independence while living in their own homes. The lack of full local support oftentimes limits our ability to expand service, or increase the number of buses in the areas we serve. Local support includes city, county and state funding, as well as the agencies and individuals we contract with for service. For our operating costs, we rely on grants from the Federal Transit Administration to cover 50% of our service, while we seek local support for the remaining 50%. For capital expenses such as buying new buses, 80% of the funding comes from federal grants, but we must obtain local resources for the remaining 20%. This means we require a local match of $20,000 per vehicle before we can buy a new bus. In simple terms, without local matching funds, we cannot extend our days and hours of service, nor can we acquire new vehicles. Many people depend on us for transportation to work, medical appointments, and grocery stores or food pantries. Safe and reliable transportation is crucial for those already living on fixed incomes, as most of our clients have no other means to get around. If individuals cannot reach their workplace, they cannot support their families. Additionally, businesses may suffer from a decline in customers if we are unable to transport people to community resources. Local support from cities, counties, and agencies is essential to keep our buses running. We cannot rely on federal funding alone; in fact, a requirement of the federal grants is that there must be community buy-in. When local communities contribute financially, it leads to stronger community support and involvement in the service thereby increasing its potential for long-term stability.

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Dare to be Differen t

s you enter the Rogersville (MO) Area Secourse, Halloween is our favorite time to dress up. nior Center, you are welcomed by the deCan you imagine an OATS Transit bus unloading a lightful aroma of a degroup of witches who then wander licious meal, the sound through the Walmart aisles?” of soft laughter, and the call of Cathy is an advocate for speak“B4,” followed by the groans of ing up for others and reaching out the assembled Bingo players. to those in need. “I love inviting Cathy Hancock quickly made her people to learn about OATS Tranway to the front to greet me and sit and encouraging them to ride led me to a back room for some the bus,” Cathy explains. “The cost privacy to conduct the interview. to ride is much more affordable Despite being legally blind, Cathy than other options, I don’t have to navigated her way with impressive bother my daughter for rides, and ease and confidence. our driver, Henry, is just the nicest Cathy’s light blue hair, stylish person. I think we shock him someoutfit, and soft Southern charm times, but he just laughs and tells make her someone you can’t help us, ‘Don’t make me stop this bus,’ but smile at and want to know betwhich makes us laugh even hardCathy Hancock dares to be different ter. “I try to live life to the fullest,” er.” Cathy says with a gentle lift in her daily and enjoys the freedom that Henry Johnson has been a drivOATS Transit provides to her. voice. “It helps no one when you er for OATS Transit in the Southgive up and don’t try new things or west Region since 2023. Regional continue to experience old ones.” Director Rene Frazier praises him, Cathy and her husband moved saying, “Henry is just the nicest from Florida to be closer to their guy. He is always professional and daughter, Vickie, about six years strives to provide our riders with ago. “After my husband passed, I a safe, caring, and reliable ride to found myself just sitting around the their medical and essential life aphouse,” Cathy recalls. “That didn’t pointments.” suit me very well. I was fortunate Cathy’s goal in life is to make to run into the administrator at the one person smile each day. “Years Senior Center, who told me that if ago, my daughter kept giving me I could get enough people to ride outfits that almost shocked me,” the OATS Bus from Marshfield, we Cathy laughs. “I finally asked her could visit with the wonderful peowhy, and she said, ‘Mom, dare to ple here.” be different.’ Well, I decided to do Taking up the challenge, Cathy exactly that! Each day should be a quickly gathered a full bus. Now, surprise and a gift. So I dress how I the group visits the Senior Center want, act how I want, and do what to enjoy food, games, and friendHenry Johnson is a veteran and drives I want. OATS Transit allows me to ship. The riders have become like for OATS Transit’s Southwest Region, visit with others and stay active. which is based in the Springfield, Misfamily.““We started dressing up for souri area. Dare to be different and call OATS different occasions and would go Transit to see how they can help to Walmart to do our shopping,” Cathy giggles. “The you get out of the house and into the world.” workers start following us around, taking pictures. Of

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OATS Transit Holidays OATS Transit offices will be closed, and regular routes do not run on the following holidays for 2025. We do publish this information on our social media platforms and on our website. New Year’s Day - Wed., January 1, 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Mon., January 20, 2025 President’s Day - Mon., February 17, 2025 Memorial Day - Mon., May 26, 2025 Juneteenth - Thur., June 19, 2025 Independence Day - Fri., July 4, 2025 Labor Day - Mon., Sept 1, 2025

Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day - Mon., October 13, 2025 Veterans Day - Tues., November 11, 2025 Thanksgiving Day - Thur., November 27, 2025 Day after Thanksgiving - Fri., November 28, 2025 Christmas Eve - Wed., December 24, 2025 Christmas Day - Thur., December 25, 2025

Recent Events …

Southwest Operations Managers Lisa Bailey & Naomi Garner (center) were on hand for the grant presentation with the Nixa Community Foundation. OATS Transit was OATS Transit received a grant from the Boonville Commuawarded $6,000 for service in Nixa/Christian County to nity Foundation Legacy Fund for $2,500 for transit service support rural general public transportation. The funds will in Boonville & Cooper County. Jill Stedem (second from be used toward the purchase of a new vehicle for the area. left) was on hand for the event representing OATS. The check was presented by members of the Foundation Board.

Mike Altemueller (right) represented OATS Transit at the Lebanon Area Foundation event last month. OATS Transit was awarded with $4,500 to provide service to Laclede County residents. Please contact the editor if you have news stories or photos you would like to share with us. We would love to hear from you. Jill Stedem, Editor Email: jstedem@oatstransit.org

We have over 20 driver openings around the state of Missouri. Flexible schedules available and an excellent benefits package. Check out our openings online at: oatstransit.org/jobs

Social Media Sites: facebook.com/oatstransit instagram.com/official_oatstransit.org linkedin.com/company/oatstransit youtube.com/@OATSTransit Bus schedules and fare information can be found at: www.oatstransit.org/schedules