1 Million Mile Milestone for New Growth Transit!

Big News! New Growth Transit, is proud to announce it has coordinated more than one million miles of free transportation to Missouri residents in just 10 months, from January to October 2024. Affiliated with West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, New Growth Transit coordinates rides to destinations for healthcare, employment, and access to food. It has built a volunteer driver network of approximately 70 drivers to do this work.

In 2023, New Growth Transit coordinated just over 350,000 miles of transportation. The rapid growth to one million miles in 2024 highlights the organization’s commitment and success in expanding mobility and access to essential services for residents in remote and rural communities.

“Reaching one million miles in less than 10 months was not expected or planned for at the beginning of this year, but it’s a testament to the great need and success of the program,” said Kelly Ast, Chief Mobility Officer at New Growth Transit. “We couldn’t have done it without the dedication of our drivers who volunteer their time, our coordination staff, and our local, regional, and state partners. When a person is not able to drive themselves, transportation is a lifeline, and we’re so proud to be able to coordinate this vital service.”

New Growth Transit addresses the significant transportation challenge faced by rural residents who aren’t able to drive themselves and often must travel long distances for medical care, groceries, work, and more, with little to no public transportation available. Each trip is measured in legs, with the average trip-leg spanning 48 miles—demonstrating the critical need for long-distance transportation that a micro-transit service like New Growth Transit is able to provide.

Volunteer Drivers Making a Difference

New Growth Transit’s mission goes beyond simply providing rides so rural residents can access vital resources and services that are often in neighboring communities or urban areas. It’s also providing enhanced social and community connections.

“I like to drive and I love having a purpose and reason to get out myself while meet new people, ”said volunteer driver LaDonna Moore who is a retired teacher. “So many people don’t have anyone and they not only need a ride to these places, but they also need someone to talk to. I’m so happy I can help, yet it’s also nice knowing my expenses are covered while I provide this service.”

Volunteer drivers are directly paid mileage reimbursements, not an income, at a rate of $0.67 a mile, the IRS determined rate of mileage reimbursement. Volunteers get to choose when, where, and how often they drive. No special license is needed because they are driving their own car. Once a driver is trained and certified, they are also covered by volunteer insurance.

Currently New Growth Transit coordinates volunteers and riders who are residents in 14 Missouri counties: Bates, Benton, Camden, Cass, Cedar, Dallas, Henry, Hickory, Laclede, Morgan, Miller, Polk, St. Clair, and Vernon.

More Work Ahead

New drivers are always needed to keep up with the high level of demand for New Growth Transit’s services.

In addition to volunteer drivers, donations are becoming vital to covering the costs of reimbursing drivers and meeting this year’s unexpected surge in demand for rides. Local donations help ensure that rural residents can continue to access New Growth Transit and meet essential needs like access to groceries and healthcare.

To volunteer as a driver visit newgrowthtransit.org; or to donate, visit New Growth Transit's Community Foundations of the Ozarks fund donation page.

Help New Growth Transit continue providing free rides to those who need them most.

About New Growth

New Growth is a community development corporation affiliated with West Central Missouri Community Action Agency that fosters regional economic growth through several innovative programs. New Growth Transit provides free, volunteer-driven rides for employment, medical appointments, and essential errands. New Growth Transit provides free rides to residents in these west central Missouri counties: Bates, Benton, Camden, Cass, Cedar, Dallas, Henry, Hickory, Laclede, Morgan, Miller, Polk, St. Clair, and Vernon.

For more information, email: transportation@wcmcaa.org; call New Growth Transit at 417-283-7991; or visit www.newgrowthtransit.org.

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