February 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS

Texas Transit Association Conference

(Ask about OK Rates!)

March 15-20

Austin, TX

Learn More

OkTA Transit Day

March 26

OK Capitol

Oklahoma City, OK

ROC Bus

Touch a Truck

April 6

Shawnee, OK

ROC Bus

Working with Families

and Children Conference

April 12

McAlester, OK

ROC Bus

Try Transit Week

April 13

Lawton, OK

APTA Transform Conference

Sept. 28-Oct 2, 2024

Learn More

Click Here for Full Calendar

of Events

Have an event to add? Email oktransit@oktransit.org

Dear OkTA Members and Transit Friends,

The OkTA has been on the go this February! Following our visit to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, where we attended legislative hearings and advocated for your transit, the OkTA headed to Tulsa, OK to participate in the 2024 SWTA Annual Conference & Expo, check out the highlights below!

We need your transit's support! The OkTA is on a mission in 2024 and you can help! With the approval of SB 1589, we want to see more protection for our transit workers. Our efforts, along with those of the incredible transit champions of ODOT and the OK Legislature, aim to ensure that the future legislative session is equally beneficial for transit financing.

How can you help? Your transit membership dues are much appreciated as they enable us to support national transit-related activities, influence state funding, shield transit personnel from driver assault, and bolster national transit-related initiatives.

In other news, congratulations to the newest board members of the Oklahoma Mobility Institute! Welcome, Patricia Dinoa, INCOG, Ryan Landers at Rideslats, Brock Spencer, NODA-OK. As part of the leadership group, they included Olivia Hook from ODOT, Marylin Dillon, Ph.D., Embark, and Jason Huff from the City of Norman, together with Becky Reynolds from LIFT and Brent Roy from Creative Bus Sales.

As always, there are volunteer possibilities with the OkTA. The OkTA committees are seeking members for the year 2024! We need your assistance if you are interested in activism, communications, funding, membership, or the ROC bus! It’s a great opportunity to enhance your professional development by volunteering with OkTA, please send me an email at andrea@oktransit.org.

Lastly, as spring approaches, don't forget to include the ROC Bus in your upcoming event. The ROC Bus is a great addition to any gathering, festival, or event, and we would be happy to train and educate locals on public transit awareness, driver safety, and human trafficking awareness.

Stay warm and we look forward to seeing you down the road soon!

Safe travels,

Andrea Ball

Executive Director

301.335.2715 mobile

andrea@oktransit.org

OkTA TRANSIT DAY

SAVE THE DATE!

Transit Day at the OK Capitol

March 26th, 2024 - 9 am to 3 pm

9am-3pm - ROC bus will be parked at the Capitol. Feel free to bring your information or brochures to display or send them in advance to the OkTA. The OkTA Advocacy Committee Members will be visiting with state officials regarding our future funding requests.

All transits are encouraged to schedule a visit with your legislative delegation, share your transit story, and/or invite them to step out and tour the ROC Bus!

You can find contact information for your Senator or Representative by using these links. Email or call them to set up a meeting and/or invite them to visit the ROC Bus at the Capitol.

OkTA ON CAPITOL HILL VISITS

OkTA Leadership in Washington D.C.

The Oklahoma Transit Association (OkTA) traveled to Washington D.C. in the last week of January for the OkTA annual legislative Fly–In on Capitol Hill. Attendees met with the full Oklahoma Congressional Delegation and other allied transportation associations.

OkTA members in attendance; Ryan Landers, Lawton Area Transit (OkTA President) Kendra McGeady, PICK Transportation/Pelivan Transit; Charla Sloan, KI BOIS Community Actions Foundation, Inc. (KATS); Andrea Ball, Executive Director of Oklahoma Transit Association; and Jill Snyder, OkTA - Rolling Oklahoma Classroom (ROC Bus).

Legislators were briefed on our overall transit successes and challenges, on behalf of the thirty-seven public transit-friendly federal transportation regulations. Items discussed were FTA-supported pilot programs and projects, including the ROC Bus, PICK Transportation, and the Climb-Ride Program.

We also discussed with the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation, the OK SB 1589 that will refine and increase the penalties in transit worker assault cases on a state level. It will also allow the judiciary to escalate the case to a felony when warranted. The penalties are based on the severity but can in include fines and jail time. This is being sponsored by Senator John Haste out of the Tulsa area.

Founded in 1983, the Oklahoma Transit Association (OkTA) is the state’s voice for public transit. OkTA’s membership is comprised of the 34 urban, small urban, suburban, rural, and tribal transit agencies in the state who share the common priority of providing and improving mobility and access for all Oklahomans. Industry-related vendors who share that vision also belong to OkTA through its Associate Member Program. OkTA’s mission is to support public transit through advocacy, education, communication, and partnerships. The organization’s vision is to be distinguished as a leader in the public transit industry by facilitating the enhancement of mobility and access for all Oklahomans.

SOUTH WEST TRANSIT ASSOCIATION

Mardi Gras Fun

at SWTA 2024!

South West Transit Association (SWTA) Annual Meeting was in Tulsa, OK. We had two full days of speakers, breakout sessions, and trade show networking. Plus, a fun reception to celebrate Mardi Gras with live music, snacks, and drinks! For more photos, check out OkTA's Facebook page!

SWTA - 2025, is already in its preplanning stage! Stay tuned for future newsletters on details and how to register.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SWOK TRANSPORTATION CHAT

Altus Senior Center

221 Park Lane, Altus, OK 73521

Feb 27, 2024

10:30 AM CST

DRIVER'S CAUGHT BEING GOOD!

Tim Arnold

Tim’s unwavering commitment to his role as an EMBARK transit professional shines through in this remarkable incident. When faced with a mother experiencing a minor medical episode during boarding, Tim’s actions exemplified the core values of EMBARK:

Be Safe: Tim swiftly recognized the problem and took immediate action. He contacted dispatch for assistance, ensuring the safety and well-being of the passengers.
Be There: Tim remained by the side of the distressed mother and her severely disabled son. His presence provided reassurance and stability during a challenging moment.
Be Open: Tim’s communication skills were crucial. He stayed on the phone with the mobility team, coordinating efforts to reach a case worker who could take possession of the son. Transparency and openness were key.
Kindness: Above all, Tim’s kindness stood out. He not only managed the situation effectively but also helped keep the mother calm and comforted her son. His compassionate approach left a lasting impact.

The heartfelt thanks from the mother is a testament to Tim’s exceptional service. In a world where kindness often makes all the difference, Tim’s actions truly embody the spirit of transit professionalism.

RENEW YOUR OkTA MEMBERSHIP

Your membership in the Oklahoma Transit Association helps protect and improve transit in our state and we appreciate your support and participation. 2023 was a very productive year for the organization and our future is exciting!

Our biggest victory on behalf of ALL Oklahoma Transit Agencies was maintaining the doubling of the state revolving fund allocation for the second year in a row! This allocation of 10.7 million dollars will allow public transits in Oklahoma to have access to more match funding and not leave federal dollars on the table. We are already hard at work engaging with our state legislators to ensure this funding continues in 2024, as well as, working to sponsor a bill to address driver assaults with more severe penalties on a state level.

The chart below reflects the transit increases by transit in the last two years because of the efforts of the OkTA. Join us and let's keep doing this, together!

Renew Today!

TRANSIT IN THE NEWS

EMBARK is Riding on the Success of New Rapid Bus Line

Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Climate Change Challenge

City of Lawton Wants Broad Community Participation in Creating New Transportation Plan

THE ROC IS ROLLING...

The ROC Bus headed to Tulsa this month to be part of Southern Tribal Technical Assistance Program at OSU Campus. Human trafficking was the focus during our time at the conference. Human trafficking is a grave concern, affecting victims across the nation. This topic is especially important in Oklahoma given our interstate system is a crossroads of America. The ROC bus aims to be part of the solution by equipping transit employees with the tools to identify potential victims and provide assistance.

Did you know that 42% of trafficked individuals report buses being used in their trafficking, and 26% mention buses in their escape attempts? Our goal is to change this statistic by raising awareness and training transit workers. The ROC bus is available to every community, tribal nation, and public event in Oklahoma upon request and at no cost.

Jackie Gritz and Jill Snyder (ROC Bus Team) had a positive experience engaging with attendees and conference organizers during their presentation on human trafficking prevention.

Stay tuned to see where the ROC Bus will venture to next month!

Have a public event coming up in your area? Invite the ROC Bus!

ROC Brochure Link

OkTA COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED

Interested in Volunteering?

OkTA is seeking committee members! OkTA has a several committees that help drive transit forward in Oklahoma and would love your help! Most committees take no more than 1-2 hours per month and meet via Zoom. If you are interested, please contact the OkTA office to learn more or sign up!

ROC Bus Committee
Advocacy Committee
Communications Committee
Finance Committee
Grants Committee
Education Committee
Convention Committee
Membership Committee

If you have any questions about committees, please contact Andrea Ball at Andrea@oktransit.org.

Click here to learn more about the committees.

NOMINATE A DRIVER DOING GOOD!

In this day and age, a kind word and a steady presence is especially meaningful and is the mark of quality customer service. Professional drivers know that their job has the potential to change a person’s day for the better. Help the OTA to recognize these special individuals who go out of their way to care for others! Submit "Drivers Doing Good" stories or photos by sending an email to admin@oktransit.org.

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