State Support Continues. Partnerships Needed.
State Appropriation Supports Rural Transportation While Continued Investment is Needed
New Growth Transit is grateful for Missouri's continued investment in rural transportation through a recently approved $1 million state appropriation shared by four community action agencies operating volunteer driver transportation programs serving 22 Missouri counties. Although the appropriation is $750,000 less than last year's $1.75 million investment, creating new funding challenges, it reflects the State's continued recognition that volunteer driver transportation is a proven solution for rural Missouri.
Transportation has long been one of the greatest barriers facing rural communities. New Growth Transit's volunteer driver network was built specifically to meet that challenge, providing a cost-effective transportation model that connects rural residents with healthcare, employment, grocery stores, and other essential services. As the need for rides continues to grow, New Growth Transit is seeking additional public and private partners to help sustain and expand this proven approach.
"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."
New Growth Transit currently serves 11 rural counties in west central Missouri and is one of four Missouri agencies receiving state appropriations to operate volunteer driver transportation programs. The collaborative effort also includes Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Missouri, Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation, and Missouri Ozarks Community Action.
Together, the four agencies’ volunteer drivers logged more than 800,000 miles over the past year. Those miles helped people reach medical appointments, jobs, grocery stores, pharmacies,and other essential destinations that might otherwise be out of reach.
Even with a proven model and continued state support, the need for transportation continues to grow. As more rural residents turn to New Growth Transit for transportation, additional public and private investment will help recruit more volunteer drivers, reimburse more miles, and ensure more rural residents can access the care, employment, and services they need.
Stretching Dollars with a Model that Fits Rural Realities
Unlike traditional public transportation systems designed around fixed routes and dense populations, New Growth Transit was built 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.
The result is a 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 for the program, helping support operations and volunteer mileage reimbursement. However, as the need for transportation continues to grow, additional investment is needed to ensure more rural residents can access the rides they need.
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.
"Every ride is about more than getting from one place to another," Ast said. "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 healthcare and benefits they've earned. Transportation isn't just about getting somewhere. Transportation connects people to health care, opportunities, and quality of life."
New Growth Transit is actively seeking 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 ensure that more rural residents can access the services and opportunities they need.
"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. We're inviting others to be part of that story. 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."
Whether you'd like to volunteer as a driver, make a donation, or become a community partner, we'd love to hear from you. Visit newgrowthtransit.org, 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.