Transit Times from the Oklahoma Transit Association

OTA Transit Times

Moving Oklahoma Forward

Issue 12 - December 2022

Dear Transit Colleagues,

Season's Greetings to all of our members, partners, sponsors and supporters! We look forward to celebrating your successes in transit in the New Year together!

Just a reminder, the OTA office will be closed from Dec 26th to January 2nd but if you have an urgent need, please reach out on my cell phone below and I'll be happy to try and assist you.

OTA is now managing the Oklahoma Mobility Institute! This organization has recently added three new board members! Congratulations to Olivia Hook, ODOT, Marylin Dillion, PhD, Embark, and Jason Huff with the City of Norman. They join Becky Reynolds, LIFT and Brent Roy, Creative Bus Sales as the leadership group. OMI is currently seeking one additional board member. If you or someone you work with might be interested mobility and grants, please send me their names for consideration.

Additionally, OTA is seeking committee members! We currently have openings on our communications committee and advocacy committee. If you have an interest in getting involved in OTA and enhancing your professional development by volunteering, please email me.

If you haven't made plans already, the OTA is currently scheduling visits to transit agencies and public events for the ROC Bus for 2023. We offer wheelchair securement training, public awareness of transit discussions, and human trafficking awareness displays, or can customize our visit based on your transit goals. If you'd like to have the OTA visit during a particular timeframe (during a board meeting, at an employee event, etc.) we are happy to try and work with your schedule. Email me to request a visit.

Finally, we are gearing up to bill for your OTA 2023 dues. If you are a transit member, please provide us your current vehicle county by 12/31/22 by clicking here.

The OTA is grateful for your partnership and continued support. Collaboration is critical in what we do, and we appreciate your significant contributions. We look forward to continuing our work in 2023.

Happy Holidays!

Andrea

Andrea Ball, Executive Director

301.335.2715 mobile

[email protected]

AND THE WINNER OF THE OTA HOLIDAY CHALLENGE IS...!

Congratulations to the Choctaw Nation Tribal Transit for their winning entry of the OTA's All Decked Out for the Holidays Decorating Challenge 2022! The winner receives a $100 gift card for their agency office holiday party. #CNOTribalTransit's theme representative of Christmas past and present was a fan favorite.

Special thanks to Creative Bus Sales, Inc. for sponsoring the 2022 holiday challenge! Bragging rights and honorable mentions for Oklahoma's transits workers entries also include City of Guymon, Kibois Area Transit System KATS, and Tulsa Transit!

Let's Get Ready to ROADEO!

OTA to Partner with CTAA for

2023 Annual Conference and Roadeo in OKC!

OTA is excited to partner with the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) to deliver new educational content and networking events at a jointly hosted annual conference in Oklahoma City from May 21-25, 2023! Register early to secure your space! OTA members are being offered a special "OTA Only" rate for the CTAA/OTA Annual joint conference and the OTA Roadeo!

This partnered conference is a great opportunity for local communities to learn more about the community and public transit industry from a national perspective, and for our members across the country to learn more about the regional challenges and successes of the Midwest.

Secure your registration today to gain access to exclusive new events dedicated to bringing transit professionals together, new content with a refreshed focus on tribal and rural affairs and local tours that will give attendees insight into local transit systems and culture. USE the code OTA2023 which is only valid for OTA members to get our special negotiated rate and book your hotel rooms soon for this sure to sell out event! Register Early - Click Here!

OTA To Visit Capitol Hill on January 31-Feb 2

OTA will be visiting our Oklahoma delegation of legislators and their staff in Washington, DC from Jan. 31 - Feb. 2 and invite you to join us and tell you transit story to lawmakers. Space is limited but we have a few spots left so Contact OTA if you would like to attend! You will be responsible for your own transportation and accommodations.

Embark Employee To Be

Honored by OKC Kiwanis

EMBARK’s Stephanie Davis, Mobility Coordinator for the award winning Climb Ride Program, is being honored in January 2023 as the City of Oklahoma City Kiwanis Employee of the Year for her work on the Climb Ride Program. Climb Ride has successfully shown that pairing public transit mobility coordination with agency services allows us to move the needle on outcomes.

Prior to the launch of Climb Ride, child welfare cases in Oklahoma County achieved successful reunification in about 37% of cases with most cases spending 18-24 months in the child welfare system. With the addition of Climb Ride services, we are reunifying 63% of cases in an average of 16 months at a significant cost savings to the State of Oklahoma. Learn More About Climb Ride!

Have you Requested Your

ROC Bus Visit?

The Rolling Oklahoma Classroom is designed to enhance awareness of public transit options in rural, tribal and urban communities. It will also provide hands-on safety and security training for transit workers and address human trafficking awareness and prevention across the state. It is available to every community, tribal nation, and public event in Oklahoma by request and at no cost. Organizations interested in requesting a ROC Bus can complete the request form or online. Contact the OTA at [email protected] for additional information.

Oklahoma Tribal Transit Council Donates Training Wheelchair to the ROC Bus

OTA Past President, Angie Gilliam of the Chickasaw Nation and Terry Holman, Chairman of the Oklahoma Tribal Transit Council recently announced the donation of a wheelchair for training on wheelchair securement on the OTA ROC bus. OTA took delivery of the chair in December and OTA and ROC bus sponsor, Trisha Nolen of Q’Straint came to Oklahoma City to provide training to our bus driver, Jackie Gritz. A special thank you for the wonderful partnerships that make the Oklahoma Transit Community so special!

FTA Announces Funding Opportunity

Today, FTA announced a $500,000 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for an organization to research and mitigate transit worker and rider assaults. The successful organization will identify safety risks for transit workers and riders, determine the most effective strategies to minimize those risks, and promote the implementation of those strategies. The final product will be a report highlighting transit worker and rider safety best practices.

OTA is exploring grantable options that align with your legislative plans for 2023 to address Oklahoma Driver Assault in the legislative session. If you have ideas or are interested in partnering in this endeavor, please reach out to our office.

The NOFO for research on safety best practices is in response to the increase in transit worker and rider assault incidents. According to the National Transit Database, assault incidences have increased five-fold from 2009 to 2019.

This opportunity builds upon FTA’s commitment to addressing transit worker and rider assault incidents, including Special Directives on Required Actions Regarding Transit Worker Assault, Request for information on Transit Worker Safety, and Bus Compartment Redesign Program. Apply by February 13, 2023.

OTA Annual Membership Census...

Vehicle Information Needed

The Oklahoma Transit Association needs your input as we work to update this year’s membership and bill for 2023 dues. We are currently in the process of updating this year’s membership records and need your current vehicle numbers. Please select the link below and take just a few moments to update us on your vehicle numbers in less than 60 seconds. After this is completed, you'll receive your 2023 membership invoice.

Your assistance will ensure that we have updated information for our members. You will have the opportunity to provide multiple contacts if you like and can even include your agency logo. In addition, you can modify your profile at any time when your agency experiences changes in staff!

CLICK HERE FOR THE OTA VEHICLE CENSUS

DO YOU KNOW A

"DRIVER DOING GOOD"?

The world today good news! In this day and age, a kind word and a steady presence is especially meaningful. Professional drivers know that their job has the potential to change a person’s day for the better. A kind word and reliable transportation are the mark of quality customer service. 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 [email protected].

"Transit Gets Us There" campaign is starting soon. Share your news about hiring new transit employees with OTA and your post will be published on the website and on our social media. Email your photos, stories, and information to share to [email protected].

*Submit all of your:

agency news
job announcements
social media posts
historic transit photos

If you have any questions about committees, please contact Andrea Ball at [email protected]

Click here to learn more about the committees on the OTA committee webpage

Education & Training Opportunities

Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting

February 16, 2023 02:00pm

The National RTAP Books in Transit Discussion Group selected Riding the Bus with my Sister by Rachel Simon (https://www.rachelsimon.com/books/riding-the-bus-with-my-sister) for our next book. The book takes place in rural Pennsylvania and is about someone with an intellectual disability.

Share This Email

Let's Get Ready to ROADEO!

﻿OTA to Partner with CTAA for

2023 Annual Conference and Roadeo in OKC!

Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting

OTA to Partner with CTAA for