SIKESTON, Mo. -- For 35 years the Scott County Transit System has offered public transportation to residents in Sikeston.

While many think the SCTS is just for the elderly or the handicapped, that is not the case.

“We are a public transportation system,” said Marilyn Schlosser, executive director of SCTS. “It’s not the old people’s bus, it’s not the handicap bus. It’s for everyone that is a Scott County resident. I’ve told a million people this, yet a million-and-one don’t know.”

Before COVID-19, Schlosser said the SCTS would generate 1,900 to 2,000 trips per month. Since COVID-19, that number has dropped to about 1,300.

The goal is to get younger people using the SCTS.

“You don’t have to bother mom or dad about getting the car,” Schlosser said. “You and your friends can get together and go. We can get them to their classes, and they don’t have to worry about driving.”

The SCTS is also available to someone who is having car troubles.

“If your vehicle breaks down, we can pick you up at the service station or wherever you are and get you where you need to go,” Schlosser said. “It’s really not a bad price.”

The SCTS pricing is $5 for in Sikeston, $6 to Miner and $2 for children. The price is a dollar less for senior citizens and handicap. The price is the same for round-trip or one-way.

The SCTS travels up to 40 miles away with a maximum round-trip cost of $35.

Schlosser recommends making reservations at least 24 hours in advance, especially if going out of town or going to a doctor’s appointment. Appointments can be scheduled a week in advance and service animals and necessary medical equipment are permitted.

Those needing trips in town can also call the same day and make arrangements.

“We like to have them call the day before if they can, but we do take call-ins, like if someone wakes up that morning and wants to run to the grocery store here in town,” Schlosser said. “Anything in town we can pretty much handle on a call-in basis.”

The SCTS has seven vehicles, five of which are wheelchair accessible and two of them are just straight mini vans. They are also looking at acquiring additional vehicles in the future to get two lines going down Main and Malone.

The SCTS, which is located on the second floor of Sikeston City Hall, is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, although they stop taking trips out at 4 p.m. To schedule a ride, call 573-472-3030.

“We’ve been here in Sikeston since,” Schlosser said. “It’s not like we’re a new company coming in. We’re an established transportation system and we are for everyone.”

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