OATS Transit system faces service reduction because of fed shutdown

The partial shutdown of the federal government is hitting closer to home as its now impacting the OATS Transit System.

OATS, which serves senior citizens, veterans, and people with disabilities and low-incomes, has routes in 87 Missouri counties with a staff of 750 employees.

Many of those routes are subsidized by federal grants which are currently unavailable because of the government shutdown.

And that's a cause for concern.

"We have a very good driver. His name is Jim," says Lana Colson, who rides from Springfield's Southside Senior Center five-days-a-week for lunch and bingo.

And the 600 drivers across the Show-Me state like Jim are like family to people like Lana, who represents some 30,000 riders statewide who utilize the largest rural transit provider in Missouri and one of the largest in the nation.

So just how important is the OATS bus in Lana's day-to-day life?

"Very important," she replied. "It takes me to doctor's appointments too. It helps a lot because I don't have a ride otherwise."

Imagine your life without a means of getting around and you understand why the news that the federal shutdown is affecting the OATS Transit system becomes a troublesome worry for those who depend on it.

"I wouldn't be going anywhere," Lana said.

More than 45% of riders use the OATS bus system to get to jobs, while 17% use it for medical appointments. Others board the bus for shopping, education and buying food.

Jeff Robinson, the regional director for OATS in southwest Missouri, released a statement saying, "All 17 counties in the Southwest Region are currently impacted by service reductions. So far, the reductions are not impacting all of our routes-only those supported with federal funding subsidies. It pains us greatly to not be able to serve our customers to the same levels which we are all accustomed to. If this shutdown continues to February, we will need to make even deeper cuts to our service in order to weather the storm."

You can find out which routes and counties have service reductions by going to the service's website at www.oatstransit.org.

For 47 years OATS, which stands for Operating Above the Standard, has been there when needed. Nationwide their buses have traveled over 15.6 million miles last year alone.

But if the government shutdown continues, some tough decisions are ahead.