OATS will celebrate its 40th anniversary this September. The private, not-for-profit organization serves 87 counties in Missouri. OATS provides door-to-door service and for some elderly, it is the only means of travel. It is provided regardless of age or income. The mission of OATS, Inc. is to provide reliable transportation for transportation disadvantaged Missourians so they can live independently in their own communities.
Area riders of the OATS bus may feel like they’ve been abandoned by the side of the road after funding cuts are made by this latest session of the Missouri legislature.
State Rep. Casey Guernsey attended a meeting recently to discuss issues facing rural transportation with regional OATS riders and other concerned citizens. OATS is short for Organized Alternative Transportation Service. OATS, Incorporated helps people all over Missouri get to work, doctor appointments, essential shopping, and other places people need to go. As a not-for-profit public transportation system, OATS serves 87 counties in the Show-Me State.
"We hope people come to understand what a benefit it is to the community to have this service," said Joyce Becerra, president of the local OATS board. "This service is for everyone of all ages. People think it’s just for old people, but its for everyone. OATS isn’t just for errands, it provides transportation for people to go to work."
Caroline Toney and the OATS committee from Daviess County hosted the event. OATS buses brought people from four other counties, Harrison, Gentry, Livingston and Grundy.
Casey, a republican who represents seven counties and is in his second term, is on the budget committee of the House of Representatives.
He explained that $250 million must be cut from the general revenue fund in order for the state of Missouri to balance its budget, which it is required by law to do.
Rural transportation was hit hard by these cuts. Guernsey said 75% of the OATS budget had been cut.
"Rural transportation is something we’ve flat out got to have," Guernsey said.
As a hoped for resolution to the problem, Guernsey said he would offer an amendment to cut summer school out of the state’s budget. He said this would gain $100 million, which he would recommend be placed in a pool for rural transportation and would help the OATS budget.
"It would help solve our transportation problems," he said.
Guernsey said there is an urban and rural divide in the legislature, with rural votes outnumbered by city votes two to one.
Half of Missouri’s budget goes to entitlement programs, Guernsey explained. This money is mainly for Medicare and welfare programs and can’t be touched by the legislature. The other half of the budget is for general revenue. Of that money, 25% must go to fund education through the foundation formula.
"That leaves only 25% of the budget to pay for the rest of government, which includes you guys," Guernsey told his audience. "There’s not much fat left to cut."
He believes that even if his amendment to cut summer school does not pass, the money can still be found.
"A lot of the money we spend to run the state is spent badly," he said. "There are plenty of places we can cut, use the money to fund programs that are important, and still not raise taxes. But I’m only one of 24 on the budget committee."
Guernsey predicted OATS would not be fully funded, but he did think some of the amount would be restored by the governor.
Issues raised during a question and answer session, included the high price of gas.
"We can’t expect riders, most on a fixed income, to supplement the loss," Guernsey said.
Joyce Becerra remarked that most of the members on the area board ranged in age from 60 to 90.
"It’s tiring and stressful for us to try to find ways to keep the buses going," she said. "We feel like we don’t have the public support we need for funding."
It was noted that OATS members are already raising funds through the sell of items at Chautauquas and other events in order to help pay for their buses. Last year they raised $8,000 toward a matching grant for a bus.
Guernsey encouraged the audience to call and write the governor. Personal notes are more likely to receive attention than a form letter, he said.
Daviess County’s Presiding Commissioner Randy Sims asked if there was anything the county could do to help. Guernsey said he was not aware of other counties in the state that funded OATS, but a county can spend money any way it wants.
Peggy Simmons from Pamida noted that Pamida builds its stores in small communities. She said that the store discounts 15% on senior citizen days.
"The OATS bus comes by on those days," she said. "A lot of merchandise leaves on that OATS bus. We’d hate to see it go."
