Services
OATS Transit is a shared-ride, public transportation company offering service to people of all ages. We serve the rural general public, individuals with disabilities and senior citizens. We transport people to work, medical appointments, shopping and other community resources. We offer intercity express routes to connect people with larger cities. Our buses are ADA accessible.
Relay Missouri is available to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and/or speech impaired. Use the Relay Missouri Service by calling 711 to talk with an OATS representative or to schedule your trip.
Service Information
Why does OATS Transit have to charge for its services?
Despite the common misconception, OATS Transit is not 100% Federally or State funded. A portion of the costs associated with doing business are reimbursable through MoDOT’s 5311 program at 50% of the actual expense we incur. This subsidy allows OATS Transit to offer a fare (or contribution) rate that is way below our true cost of doing business. We are required to generate enough local revenue to support the other 50% of these expenses. In addition, in order to maintain a fleet of dependable, reliable vehicles, we must generate 20% of the actual replacement cost for each vehicle in each county we serve. Therefore, we need to rely on our riders to help support the system through fares and contributions.
For trips requiring a fare, those must be paid in advance of your trip. Drivers cannot accept payment on the bus. You can pay with a credit/debit card over the phone when you schedule your trip, or mail a check/money order to your local OATS Transit office. Those funds are added to your account by calling 888-875-6287 and will be deducted each time you ride.