State Support Continues. Partnerships Needed.
State Appropriation Supports Rural Transportation While Continued Investment is Needed
For six years, New Growth Transit has been proving that volunteer drivers can help solve one of rural Missouri's greatest challenges:transportation. Today, that proven model continues to connect rural residents with essential services while demonstrating the value of continued public and private investment.
The recently approved FY2027 state budget continues to invest in that proven approach through a $1 million appropriation supporting volunteer driver transportation programs operated by New Growth Transit, Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Missouri, Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation, and Missouri Ozarks Community Action across 22 rural Missouri counties. New Growth Transit is grateful for the State's continued investment and the confidence it places in a transportation model that has proven successful over six years of serving rural communities.
However, the new appropriation represents 57% of last year's funding, creating a significant funding gap at a time when the need for transportation continues to grow. While the State's investment provides a strong foundation, additional public and private support will be essential to help ensure rural Missourians can continue accessing the rides they depend on.
"We're grateful for the State's continued investment and for everyone who has helped make this program possible," said Kelly Ast, Chief Mobility Officer for New Growth Transit. "Over the past six years, we've demonstrated this transportation model works for rural communities. Now we're looking for additional supporters who believe rural communities deserve transportation solutions that fit the realities of rural life."
Built for Rural Missouri
Transportation has long been one of the greatest barriers facing rural communities. Unlike traditional public transportation systems built around fixed routes and dense populations, New Growth Transit's volunteer driver model was designed specifically for rural Missouri. Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles, choose when they are available to drive, and receive mileage reimbursement while providing personalized transportation across long distances where conventional transit is often impractical or cost prohibitive.
Through its volunteer driver network, New Growth Transit serves 11 rural Missouri counties, where the average one-way trip for all rides is nearly 40 miles. In some counties, the average is even more. Many volunteer drivers travel around 80 miles to complete a single round trip because specialized health care and other essential services often aren't available closer to home.
Together, volunteer drivers from New Growth Transit and three partner agencies logged more than 800,000 miles over the past year, connecting people to medical appointments, jobs, grocery stores,pharmacies, and other essential destinations.
The result is a transportation model that stretches public dollars while delivering transportation that fits the realities of rural communities.
"Transportation in rural Missouri requires a different approach," Ast said. "Our communities are spread out. Destinations are often many miles away. A volunteer driver network allows us to provide reliable transportation in places where other models simply aren't practical."
State appropriations provide an important foundation by helping support operations and reimburse volunteer drivers for the miles they travel. However, the remaining funding gap means additional public and private investment is needed to recruit volunteer driver sand reimburse more miles. Every new volunteer driver, every reimbursed mile, and every additional investment means one more neighbor can reach a doctor's appointment, keep a job, buy groceries, or remain independent at home.
"Our volunteers give something we can never reimburse—their time," Ast said. "The mileage reimbursement simply ensures they aren't paying out of pocket to help a neighbor. That allows more people to volunteer and allows those who already serve to keep saying yes to the next ride."
Every ride is about far more than transportation. It's someone making it to multiple cancer treatments each week. It's someone keeping a job. It's an older adult remaining independent in their own home.It's a veteran traveling to a neighboring metro area to access the health care and benefits they've earned.
"Transportation isn't just about getting somewhere,"Ast said. "Transportation connects people to health care, opportunities, and quality of life."
Investing in Rural Communities
For New Growth Transit, the path forward will require continued collaboration among public agencies, health care organizations, foundations, businesses, community partners, and individual supporters who recognize transportation as essential infrastructure for rural communities.
"Our volunteers have already shown what's possible," Ast said. "They've built something remarkable by giving their time and using their own vehicles to help neighbors. Now we're inviting others to build on that foundation. Together, we can ensure transportation isn't the reason someone misses health care, loses a job, or becomes isolated simply because they live in a rural community."
New Growth Transit is actively seeking volunteers, donors, and community partners who want to invest in a proven solution that strengthens rural communities. Additional support will help recruit more volunteer drivers, reimburse more miles, and connect more rural residents with the services and opportunities they need.
Whether you'd like to volunteer as a driver, make a donation, or become a community partner, email transportation@wcmcaa.org, or call 417-283-7991 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
About New Growth Transit
New Growth Transit is a program of New Growth, a nonprofit rural community development corporation affiliated with West Central Missouri Community Action Agency. Through a network of trained volunteer drivers, New Growth Transit provides free transportation to residents in 11 rural Missouri counties, helping them access health care and, when funding allows, employment, food, education, and other essential services while strengthening the communities they call home.