OATS Transit
| OATS Transit Inc. | |
| Industry | Transport |
| Founded | 1970, in Macon, Missouri |
Area served | Missouri |
Key people | Dorothy Yeager (executive director) |
| Services | Transportation |
Number of employees | 560 |
| Website | oatstransit |
OATS Transit Inc. (OATS being an initialism for operating above the standard) is an American 501(c) private not-for-profit road transport corporation, which operates in all counties of Missouri.
History
OATS was founded in 1970 in Macon, Missouri as a private company. and started with five drivers serving eight counties.[1] The first vans were used in November 1971, starting out with only three.[2] In 1973, they were changed into a nonprofit by the state of Missouri.[3]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, they suspended their services in St. Louis County and St. Charles County,[4] and later provided free rides for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.[5] On July 1, 2023, they stopped accepting cash payments, instead requiring riders to pay online, for $2 for a one-way ride.[6]
Employment and transportation
In 2022, OATS employees gave 1 million rides and traveled 11 million miles, averaging 4,200 rides a day. They employ 560 people, with 100 of those people working in offices, and the remaining 460 being drivers.[1][2]
OATS provides transportation every day of the year except for on certain holidays. They provide scheduled transportation, similar to city buses, and in some counties, door-to-door transportation, similar to Uber.[3]
Donations
In 2021, the city of Adair County gave OATS a $1,500 check to provide door-to-door service.[7] In 2022, they recieved a $100,000 grant from the Sunderland Foundation.[8] In 2023, they recieved a $2,500 donation from POET Bioprocessing to fund transportation.[9] In January 2024, they recieved a $4,000 donation from Cuivre River Electric Cooperative, also to fund a vehicle.[10] In March 2024, they recieved a $16,052 grant from the Boone Electric Community Trust.[11]
References
- ^ a b "OATS Transit celebrates 50 years in business". Lincoln County Journal. February 18, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "OATS Transit is more than a ride". Como. January 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "City of Warrensburg request for funding 2020-2021". Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Kelsi (March 23, 2020). "OATS Transit suspends service in St. Louis and St. Charles counties". KSDK. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ Willis, Jasmine (January 31, 2021). "Experiencing driver shortage, OATS Transit receives $7,700 grant from Laclede Electric Trust". KRCG.
- ^ Oberholtz, Mackenzie (June 24, 2023). "OATS announces its transportation services will no longer accept cash". KOMU-TV.
- ^ "Adair County Commission presents check to OATS Transit". KTVO. March 24, 2021.
- ^ "OATS Transit receives $100,000 grant". My Courier Tribune. July 7, 2022.
- ^ "OATS Transit receives $2,500 donation from POET Bioprocessing". Mass Transit Magazine. June 8, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ "OATS Transit to purchase vehicle with local grant". Mass Transit Magazine. January 11, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ Baechle, Shea (March 14, 2024). "OATS Transit receives grant money for new buses". KRCG. Retrieved March 14, 2024.