SCAT is a non-profit service organization providing transportation in Arkansas – HSV SCAT wants to take you for a ride! Literally!
Although this article primarily covers HSV SCAT, it also touches on Saline and Garland County SCAT.
According to the HSV SCAT website, in 2007, a group of Hot Springs Village residents became interested in developing a Village transportation system. At that time, the rural area lacked transportation options for the aging demographics.
John Plautz, HSV resident since 2008 and President of the SCAT (South Central Arkansas Transit) Board, took time out of his busy schedule to meet with us on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Providing economical and reliable transportation to Villagers since 2010, the organization supplies door-to-door service for around 300 HSV Villagers every year. While the numbers are continually increasing, with 3,800 rides provided in the past year, the non-profit group aims to serve even more. Plautz said the number of rides provided was around 3,000 a year ago.
Plautz’s sister, Linda Grasse, headed up the formation committee. A Village resident since 2006, Grasse hails from Wisconsin, where she has had experience operating this type of service through her church. Having long-term connections to the Village, the Plautz family purchased a lot in 1972. John Plautz shared that what he most enjoys when driving Villagers is interacting with the people. “You get to know the people when driving repeat customers.”
The HSV SCAT service area covers all locations within the gates and the surrounding area, including Walmart, Brookshires, and CHI St. Vincent Senior Center – McAuley. Some SCAT regulars are frequent riders to the Senior Center for lunch.
Volunteers Operate HSV SCAT
For day-to-day operations, HSV SCAT uses volunteers for two primary activities – scheduling and driving. On October 31, HSV SCAT Volunteer Sue Shade was manning the phones and working on scheduling with Carolyn Duncan assisting. Duncan wears several hats in the organization as a Board Member, office manager, scheduler, and driver. The volunteers choose their schedules and often work two or more times a month. Originally, HSV SCAT comprised 30 volunteers, but today, this number has grown to 70, with 50 volunteers driving. SCAT is always looking for more volunteers as the ridership continues to increase.
Scheduling drivers and rides is now being coordinated by a new software program. Plautz said, “Before this year, we were a pencil-and-paper operation. Now that we have the new system, we don’t know how we lived without it.”
CADC is the Umbrella Organization
SCAT falls under the umbrella of CADC (Central Arkansas Development Counsel, which provides several social services throughout Central Arkansas.
CADC receives funding through a variety of sources, including community block grants. HSV SCAT operates slightly differently than SCAT services outside of the Village because HSV SCAT uses only volunteer staff. Plautz said, “We are a unique operation. SCAT drivers outside the Village are paid drivers, and those based at the HSV SCAT office are volunteers. CADC provides 99% of Village SCAT operating costs, which include rent, utilities, office supplies, vehicle maintenance, insurance, gasoline, and much more.”
HSV SCAT owns three vehicles, which donations have purchased. A wheel-chair accessible van was purchased in 2016. HSV SCAT also uses a fourth vehicle, which CADC owns.
Who is eligible to use SCAT?
The typical HSV SCAT rider profile is:
- Senior citizens
- Handicapped – wheelchair (caretaker must assist with loading and unloading of the passenger)
- Adults unable to drive due to vision or physical disability
You need not fit into the above categories to request a ride. Still, children needing car seats are prohibited due to the difficulty and liability of securing the child seat properly.
How do I schedule a ride with HSV SCAT? (This is for rides to locations inside the Village and the immediate surrounding area.)
It is easy to schedule a ride with SCAT. Call (501) 915-0087 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. Callers can also leave a message during times when the office is closed. Requests for rides should be made at least 24 hours ahead. The cutoff time is 1:00 p.m. for scheduling rides the following day. Rides can be scheduled up to three weeks in advance.
The service provides rides from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The SCAT driver will drop off the rider and return for pickup at the prearranged time.
How much does it cost to use HSV SCAT?
Rides are $4 each way, cash or check only. For two people from the same household, the cost is $4 for both people.
If you have more than one stop, you may be charged for those stops unless you use a drive-thru. Drive-thru examples included in the $4.00 cost are bank and pharmacy drive-thrus. Please let the scheduler know if you plan for more than one stop.
A $36.00 coupon book may be purchased from the SCAT driver and covers ten rides. Purchasing the coupon book gives you one ‘free’ ride.
The money collected from ride fares goes back to CADC.
As an aside, SCAT will help you load your purchases and unload them at your door or garage, but the SCAT volunteers are not allowed to enter homes.
How do I schedule a ride with Benton or Garland County-based SCAT? (This service provides rides to Hot Springs or Little Rock.)
Villagers can schedule a ride to Hot Springs or Little Rock by giving 48-hour notice. To inquire about pricing using the Benton or Garland County-based SCAT, please use the numbers below.
- Saline County residents should call Benton SCAT at (501) 315-3687.
- Garland County residents can call Hot Springs SCAT at (501) 623-2875 or (501) 623-2836.
How can you help?
- Donations – SCAT accepts and appreciates donations, which are used to purchase additional vehicles and for other things that CADC does not cover. Some donations come from individuals, but organizations such as Arvest Bank and some area churches and service organizations have also contributed. All local HSV SCAT donations remain in the local area.
- Send donations to Village SCAT, 198 Carmona Rd., Suite 5, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.
- Endorse your check to HSV Transportation Group dba Village SCAT.
- Volunteer to drive or schedule. Most drivers work two or three half days a month. Click here to find out more.
- Ask SCAT to speak to your organization.
To find out more information, click here to visit the HSV SCAT website. Volunteer Ken Guzel developed and maintains the site.
Let SCAT do the driving and enjoy the ride!
By Cheryl Dowden; Photography by Joe Dowden
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