FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 19, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


Missouri Recipient of Federal Transportation Grant

JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt announced that the Federal Transit Administration awarded the Missouri Department of Transportation a $1,675,825 grant to continue and expand statewide job access service provided by OATS, Ray County Transportation and the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri.

All three organizations have been Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) providers since 2000. The grant has been used to extend service hours and initiate new service. The organizations are working to establish weekend service and extending routes between communities.

OATS serves 87 counties and plans to use the grant for operations. OATS will continue to transport rural residents from their homes to their place of employment or work-related activities. Carpooling projects may also be created with help from employers.

Ray County Transportation serves Richmond and rural Ray County. They plan to use the grant to continue providing local service and expand service to the Kansas City metro area.

The Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri serves 13 counties. The grant will be used to continue established routes and expand service to employment sites.

Between the three organizations, Missourians living in 102 counties will receive transportation from their homes for work or work-related activities.


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