Statewide campaign is designed to promote awareness of transportation services

In January 2005, 31 transportation providers in Missouri will join the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to launch Rural Public Transportation: Because Life is a Moving Experience, a statewide campaign designed to promote awareness of transportation services in Missouri’s rural communities.

Known collectively as Rural Public Transportation, these providers are united by their association with MoDOT. Together they provide service in every county in the state for anyone who needs a ride. OATS, Inc., serving 87 of Missouri’s counties, is part of the Rural Public Transportation network.

The campaign centers on “Anyone Can Ride,” a nine-minute video that providers will be presenting to community groups and others who are interested in their service. Featuring actual users of Rural Public Transportation, drivers and people behind the scenes, “Anyone Can Ride” illustrates the many needs answered by this service not just for riders, but for their friends, families and communities as well. An explanatory brochure with contact information for all of the providers accompanies the video. The campaign also includes a series of television and radio commercials, as well as testimonial print materials to be used as newspaper ads and/or posters.

Nearly half of the people of Missouri live outside of the state’s urban areas. MoDOT offers assistance to Rural Public Transportation providers to ensure that people in rural communities have the transportation they need to medical services, grocery shopping, school, work-training programs and employment. In helping to implement Rural Public Transportation: Because Life is a Moving Experience, MoDOT hopes that more people will be aware of the services that are available to them.

For more information about the campaign, services in your county, or to arrange for a presentation of “Anyone Can Ride” to your group or organization, contact OATS at 888-875-6287.