Brief History of Ripley County Transit, Inc.
In 1982, a grant to purchase one van was received and became known as the Ripley County Senior Citizen’s Bus. This was the beginning to provide transportation to the elderly and handicapped. The Senior Citizens Bus became an addition to the Ripley County Nutrition Center which was started in March of 1974.
1989, Ripley County Transit received a twelve-passenger van from Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot). Transportation was now available 5 days a week.
In 1994, we changed our name to Ripley County Transit, Inc. as suggested by Shirley Tarwater, Transit Specialist from Jefferson City. This was a good decision and we began to expand our services for our general public.
In 1995, MoDot’s Transit Specialist David Awbray delivered a Dodge Van for two wheelchairs. Our growth continued to slowly soar. The City of Doniphan and Ripley County Commissioners assisted us with the 20% match that was required.
September 5, 1995 – Missouri’s Secretary of State, Rebecca McDowell Cook signed the Certificate of Amendment of a Missouri Nonprofit Corporation, Articles of Amendment
In August 2002, we moved from the Ripley County Nutrition Center to our one room office rental space at 102 W. Water Street, Doniphan, MO. The office building had an open concreted area for parking.
By 2004, Ripley County Transit had outgrown the office space on Water Street. MoDot encouraged us to write a grant for a new facility. We accepted the responsibility and wrote the grant knowing that this was a large positive step for Ripley County Transit’s future.
April 17, 2005 - Notice of public hearing was held for new facility.
July 27, 2007 – 80% Federally Funded Grant approved for office and garage facility.
In 2009, County-wide Route Service began transporting the general public to Doniphan and Poplar Bluff.
March 4, 2011 - Ripley County Transit moved to its new facility at RR2 Box 1121, Doniphan, MO 63935.
May 6, 2011 – Open house was held at the new transit facility in Doniphan, MO.
May 2013, Executive Director Pat Lowery retired. Laura Oldham was appointed unanimously by the Ripley County Transit’s Board of Directors as the new Executive Director.
July 25, 2014 - U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration certified Ripley County Transit as an Interstate Agency.
August 15, 2016 – FTA Region VII Award of Excellence presented to Ripley County Transit for the highest percentage increase in ridership of 19% among Rural Public Transit Systems in Missouri for the year 2015.
March 27, 2017 - Sarah Lamb accepted the position as the Assistant Director.
Labor Day 2018, Ripley County Transit’s float won first place in the Labor Day Parade in Doniphan, MO.
In 2019, Ripley County Transit received a new physical 911 address at 958 US Highway 160E, Doniphan, Missouri 63935.
October 31, 2019 – Ripley County Transit won 1st place in the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce’s Halloween Window Decorating Contest.
In 2020, Federal Transit Administration recognizes and thanks Ripley County Transit, Inc. and others in the Transit Industry for their COVID-19 pandemic responses in keeping America safe.
Also, in 2020, Ripley County Transit, Inc. celebrated 25 years of service.
In August 2021, Allison Davis joined our team as Assistant Dispatcher/Clerk.
In November 2021, Sara McGavock was promoted to Assistant Director.
During 2021 Ripley County Transit traveled 336,855 miles and carried 23,832 one way trips.
In February 2022 Kristy Bailey became our new Head Dispatcher/clerk
In March 2022 we hired Melissa Lovins as Dispatcher/clerk.
In Summer of 2022 Laura Oldham started training Sara McGavock for the Executive Director position when she was planning to retire in June 2023.
Suddenly in December 2022 the Transit Family sadly lost Laura to a medical complication.
In January 2023 Sara McGavock was hired to fill the position of Executive Director.
Also, in January 2023 Kristy Bailey was promoted to Assistant Director and we brought onto our team Emily Taylor as Dispatcher/Clerk.
In Spring of 2023 the Transit family and Laura's family planted a tree in the side yard in memory of Laura so she can watch over us always!
Summer of 2023, we hired Chelsea Holmes as a Dispatcher/Clerk.
