January 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

SWTA Conference

February 18-21, 2025

Tucson, AZ

more information


OK Transit Day at the Capitol

March 26, 2025


APTA TRANSform Conference

September 14-17, 2025

Boston, MA


APTA Safety and Risk Management Seminar

December 7-10, 2025

San Diego, CA


Have an event to add? Email 

oktransit@oktransit.org


Dear OkTA Members and Transit Friends,


As we begin a new and exciting 2025, I want to thank you for your dedication to serving Oklahomans on the move! Your professionalism and commitment are inspiring!


It takes a big team to keep the wheels of public transit in motion. Thanks to the frontline operators, maintenance crews, mechanics, dispatchers, and all transit employees – large and small communities are able to run safely, and smoothly every day of the year. Thank you for all you do!


2024 was another successful year. For the third year, we have secured $10.2 million to benefit Oklahoma Transit. I hope these extra funds help your agency with matching funds and employee costs.


Through 2025, we will continue to advocate for you and hope you will continue to support the OkTA. With the support of the amazing transit champions of ODOT and the OK Legislature, we hope the upcoming legislative session is equally successful for transit funding. Your membership dues assist us in influencing state funding, protecting transit workers from driver assault, and bolstering national transit-related initiatives. 


As you begin to prepare for your upcoming 2025 events, don't forget to include the ROC Bus! The ROC Bus is a great addition to any event, festival or meeting. Just let us know when and where and we'll be there to educate and train on human trafficking awareness, driver safety, and public transit awareness. Click here to schedule your ROC Bus request.


OkTA wishes you and yours a joyful new year!


Safe travels,

Andrea Ball

Executive Director

301.335.2715 mobile

andrea@oktransit.org

Administrative Transition

As expected, the first three days of President Trump’s second administration have brought a whirlwind of activity and change. The President issued 42 Executive Orders and proclamations on his first day in office alone, mandating over 200 actions by federal agencies and rescinding nearly 80 EOs from the Biden administration. Here's a highlight of some of the actions that directly impact manufacturers—keep in mind that although the initial barrage is out the door, more EOs are coming. Keep watching next month for more.


Energy

Unleashing American Energy:

  • Orders a 30-day review by all federal departments and agencies of regulations and other barriers to the identification and development of domestic energy resources (particularly oil, coal, natural gas, biofuels, critical minerals, nuclear and hydropower);
  • Directs the Department of Energy to resume liquefied natural gas export permits, ending the previous administration’s moratorium, and resumes review of LNG export applications;
  • Rescinds the “ NEPA Phase 2” rulemaking—the Council on Environmental Quality’s revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act and revokes an executive order by President Carter that gives the CEQ authority to issue binding regulations to other agencies;
  • Directs the reconsideration of the legality of regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act;
  • Terminates state emissions waivers that limit the sale of gas-powered vehicles and begins the process of unwinding a suite of vehicle tailpipe regulations from the previous administration;

National Energy Emergency Declaration:

  • Authorizes the heads of every federal agency to use emergency powers to facilitate domestic energy development and production;
  • Requires a report from the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies on potential and planned permitting provisions to speed up energy infrastructure permitting under various legislative measures; and
  • Requires agencies to use emergency authority under the Endangered Species Act to expedite energy project permitting consultations.

Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential:

  • Provides for the opening of Alaskan lands to energy exploration and development and promotes Alaskan LNG production.

Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements

  • Withdraws the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, a 2015 climate change accord.

Pause on Wind Leasing and Review of Wind Projects

  • Blocks lease sales for offshore wind projects and pauses new approvals for leases, permits or loans for on- and offshore wind projects.


Trade

America First Trade Policy:

  • No new tariffs announced.
  • Instructs key agencies to begin looking at underlying concerns about unfair or unbalanced trade, specific concerns regarding trade with China and matters related to economic security.
  • Three comprehensive reports are due by agencies to the President by April 1. Issues to be investigated include persistent trade deficits; unfair trade practices; currency manipulation; importation of counterfeit products and contraband; China’s compliance with the “Phase One” deal; and review of the U.S. export control system.
  • Tasks Commerce Department with assessing unlawful migration and fentanyl flows from Canada, Mexico and China. Those findings are also due April 1.


Regulatory

Regulatory Freeze

  • Imposes a freeze on new and in-process regulations, meaning Biden administration rules that have been proposed but not finalized, finalized but not sent to the Federal Register or sent to the Federal Register but not published.
  • Recommends that agencies delay the effective dates of any published-but-not-yet-effective Biden rules by at least 60 days, giving the administration time to decide whether to rescind or revise the rules.
  • Reinstates the “one-in-two-out” policy, setting the stage for more reworked and repealed regulations than new rules.

Establishing and Implementing DOGE

  • Establishes the Department of Government Efficiency, which will “be dedicated to advancing the president’s 18-month DOGE agenda,” including modernizing technology and software, increasing efficiency and reducing the size of government.
  • DOGE will have 90 days to work with the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management on a plan to reduce the size of the federal government’s workforce while a government-wide hiring freeze is ongoing.


DE&I

Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

  • Rescinds executive orders and Presidential memoranda related to federal actions and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, including Executive Order 11246—an LBJ-era policy promoting affirmative action in federal contracting.
  • Directs the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to immediately cease promoting diversity and requires each agency head to include in every contract or grant award a provision that makes compliance with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws material to the government's payment decisions, which includes a certification that the contractor does not operate any DEI programs that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.
  • Requires each agency to identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigations of publicly traded corporations.
  • Requires the Attorney General to submit a report to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy containing recommendations for enforcing federal civil-rights laws and taking other appropriate measures to encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI, within 120 days of the EO (May 20, 2025).

National Transit News

Congresswoman Bice Named to Key Subcommittees on Appropriations

For the 119th Congress, Fifth District U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OKC) has been appointed to serve on three subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee that is chaired by Fourth District U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Moore). 

Bice will serve as the Vice Chair of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and will also serve on the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Bice was first appointed to the Appropriations Committee at the start of the 118th Congress.

“Serving on the Appropriations Committee allows me to ensure that the needs of Oklahoma’s Fifth District are met while working to cut wasteful and inefficient federal spending. I want to thank my friend, Chairman Tom Cole, for his leadership and support. I look forward to delivering results for my constituents.” Read More.

FTA Publishes Analysis on How Transit Agencies Are Working to Reduce Transit Worker Assaults

The FTA published an initial analysis of responses from transit agencies to FTA’s General Directive 24-1: Required Actions Regarding Assaults on Transit Workers. The analysis shares information on how transit agencies are assessing, mitigating and monitoring the safety risk related to assaults on transit workers, and summarizes risk ratings, types of mitigations and the effectiveness of safety strategies grouped by agency type and size.  

The analysis shares the varying mitigations used by transit agencies and the status in implementing them, along with information on how they measure their effectiveness in reducing assaults on transit workers. 

  • De-escalation training and video/audio surveillance are the two most widely implemented mitigation strategies used by transit agencies.  
  • Another strategy is posting signage geared at riders that alert them to the use of surveillance and/or penalties for assaulting transit workers.  
  • Video/audio surveillance was the strategy most widely reported as effective for reducing assaults on transit workers, followed by automatic vehicle location technology and operator protective barriers. 

This information will help FTA understand how transit worker assault safety risk assessments and safety risk mitigations vary throughout the industry and help inform future activities that may be effective in continuing to reduce the risk of assaults on transit workers. Read More.

Register Now for South West Transit Association's 2025 Annual Conference and Expo

SWTA's 2025 Annual Conference and Expo will be held February 18-21, 2025 in Tucson, AZ. This year's program includes speakers from 30+ SWTA agencies. Registration is open and complete information is available at https://www.swta.org/2025-swta-annual-conference-and-expo/.

Tribal Transportation Safety Grants Available

The Federal Highway Administration is providing more than $24 million in total funding through the 2025 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2025. For more information, please visit grants.gov.

NOW AVAILABLE: FAQs for FTA General Directive on Required Actions Regarding Assaults on Transit Workers

FTA published answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding General Directive 24-1: Required Actions Regarding Assaults on Transit Workers. The FAQs clarify requirements to support transit agencies in meeting the December 26, 2024, reporting deadline. Transit agencies are required to submit information to FTA on how they are assessing, mitigating and monitoring the safety risk associated with assaults on transit workers. Read More.

OkTA NEWS TO KNOW

Embark Releases 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey Results

EMBARK recently released findings from the 2024 Transit Rider Survey; over 2,000 responses were compiled among Oklahoma City Fixed Route bus, RAPID NW and OKC Streetcar customers, as well as riders in Norman, to yield findings in rider satisfaction, frequency of use, preferences and demographic information.

Conducted in Spring 2024 by ETC Institute, a market research firm specializing in gathering survey data for public transit systems, the Transit Rider Survey was shared last month with the Oklahoma City Council and the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA). Read More.

Oklahoma Mobility Institute Awarded $10,000 Grant Toward Services for Older Adults

Oklahoma Mobility Institute (OMI) has successfully secured a a Services for Older Adults Community Grant through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. The $10,000 award Senior Transportation Services to Support Independent Living and Wellness project. Read More.


Will Rogers Airport Access

The Will Rogers World Airport requires all providers of vehicle transport to have a Ground Service Agreement with the airports that authorizes them to enter and conduct their business on airport property. Without this agreement on file, the security team will ask them providers to leave the area. Transit providers who need to access the drop off/pick up line for passengers at the airport for a Ground Service Agreement should contact the Landside Operations team at 405-316-3220 or email LandsideOps@okc.gov

Oklahoma Icon, TRUST Leader Neal McCaleb Passes Away 

We are saddened to learn of the passing of TRUST president and former Secretary of Transportation (1987-1991,1995-2001), ODOT Executive Director (1995-2001) and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Executive Director (1995-2001) Neal McCaleb at age 89. McCaleb, of Edmond and a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, also served as a state representative (1974-1982) where he served as minority leader and as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs from 2011-2003 during the administration of former President George W. Bush. He also ran as a Republican for governor in 1982 and lieutenant governor in 1990.  

A civil engineer by trade and McCaleb was considered to be an expert in interstate highway and bridge design. McCaleb served as a private sector consultant and advisor as well as volunteering his time and expertise for 19 years as president of TRUST. He was well respected at the state Capitol on both sides of the aisle and in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his wife, Georgeann, three children and 13 grandchildren. A memorial service will be January 16 at 2pm at Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond. OkTA extends our deepest condolences to the entire McCaleb family.  

Oklahoma Legislature Announces Transportation Chairs

Senate Pro Tem-Elect Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, announced the full list of committee assignments for the Oklahoma Senate for the upcoming 60th Legislature that begins in February. 

Senate General Government and Transportation:

Senator Tom Woods, R-Westville, Chair Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, Vice Chair • Senator Avery Frix, R-Muskogee • Senator Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby • Senator Lisa Standridge, R-Norman • Senator Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa

Read More


House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert announced the following appointments to committees for the 60th Legislature:

A&B Transportation Subcommittee: Chair – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond; Vice Chair – Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore o Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City o Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston o Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Yukon o Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant o Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah o Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman o Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman

Read More

RAPID NW celebrates first anniversary in OKC, marking key transit milestone

As Oklahoma City continues to grow, expanding public transportation infrastructure is becoming more important. RAPID NW, the region’s first bus rapid transit service, marked its first anniversary and is already playing a key role in meeting the city’s growing transit needs. Serving more than 450,000 riders in its first year, RAPID NW is designed to connect major areas of the city, including workplaces, shopping centers, medical facilities, and entertainment spots.

Read More.

OKC hopes for a rapid rise in public transit and is already working on expanding the current infrastructure.

For the past year, a fleet of charcoal-colored buses have zipped along much of Classen Boulevard and Northwest Expressway as part of Oklahoma City’s first bus rapid transit line. Using some bus-only lanes and traffic signal prioritization, the new bus line is meant to somewhat mimic a subway or streetcar.

Fares are paid before boarding, each bus uses a dedicated entry and exit door that is level with bus stop platforms, and frequencies are sometimes as low as every 12 minutes, making a missed bus a small annoyance with just a short wait for the next one.

Read More.

Interactive Safety Map Launched for Forward45 Transportation Plan

The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO) proudly announces the launch of its Safety Assessment Digital Map Survey, an interactive online tool designed to pinpoint safety concerns on a regional map.

This initiative is a key component of SORTPO’s Forward 45 Regional Transportation Plan, specifically focusing on the safety chapter. The survey allows individuals to provide location-specific feedback for future safety projects. Insights gathered through this process will assist in identifying projects eligible for federal grants such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant.

Survey Details

• Start Date: January 2, 2025

• End Date: February 28, 2025

• Purpose: To gather public input on transportation safety concerns and improvement ideas.

SORTPO invites residents, business owners, and stakeholders across Southwest Oklahoma to participate. Understanding safety concerns on our transportation network is vital to the Forward 45 plan and implementation. Your feedback is critical.

Access the Safety Assessment Digital Map Survey at: https://tinyurl.com/sortposafetymap or scan the QR code.

MAPS 4

The first MAPS 4 bus stop improvements are complete and open for service in northeast Oklahoma City. Phase 1 of the project includes $4.3 million to improve 140 bus stops across the city that were deemed the highest priority based on daily ridership.

In total, MAPS 4 includes $11.2 million to improve approximately 500 bus stops.

  • Shelter upgrades: Many bus stops will be equipped with upgraded shelters to protect customers from weather and excessive sunlight, offering commuters a protected waiting area. The new bus shelters will be the standard eight-foot shelter size or upgraded to 12 feet or 16 feet.
  • Accessibility enhancements and paving flatwork: Paving improvements will increase ADA accessibility at all shelters in the first phase, including the installation of sidewalks and ramps at select stops.
  • Seating and lighting: New seating will be installed, and all shelters in the first phase will receive new lighting.

Improvements include new, ADA-accessible shelters featuring covered areas for weather protection, LED security lighting, trash cans, solar panels for cleaner energy and bicycle racks. Read More.

Long Range Transit Plan for Central Oklahoma

The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), along with additional regional stakeholders, are conducting a Long Range Transit Plan (LRTP) for Central Oklahoma. The plan will consider modifications to local transit services in response to planned high-capacity regional transit investments.

The LRTP will also consider additional investments to facilities, transfer points, and transit infrastructure to improve regional mobility and consolidate previous planning efforts. The outcome of the LRTP will be an implementation plan for transit in the region.

Join us here for a Virtual Town Hall on January 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Read More.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Grand Gateway Economic Development Association- Big Cabin, OK

Transit Operations Manager

 

Grand Gateway Economic Development Association (GGEDA) is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill the position of Transit Operations Manager. Excellent writing and oral communication skills required. This position will be a first level supervisor to the drivers and dispatchers, a liaison between them and the program director.

 

This is a full-time job. Salary range is $35,360- $41,600

 

Responsibilities:

  • Maintaining vehicle maintenance records
  • Scheduling vehicle maintenance
  • Handling accident & Incident reports
  • Installing/maintaining software on driver’s cell phones
  • Conducting random vehicle inspections and ride alongs
  • Conducting monthly safety training (certification will be required upon hire)
  • Running monthly operating reports
  • Attending Motivcare quarterly meetings as well as Emergency management meetings on the local, state and regional level.

* This position will require driver training and dispatch certification in order to cover those positions when necessary. This position will require on-call hours as well as some early mornings in Winter to determine if road conditions allow for safe operation. Travel within our seven county region and occasional travel out of district/state is required.


To apply, please send your resume to mwadley@grandgateway.org


Misty Wadley, HR Coordinator

918-783-5793 ext. 215


View this position posting.

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. 2024 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 state revolving fund allocation for a third year in a row! This allocation of $10.2 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 2025, as well as, working to sponsor a bill to address driver assaults with more severe penalties on a state level.

Renew Today!

Schedule the ROC Bus for 2025!

  Bring the Rolling Oklahoma Classroom (ROC Bus) to Your Next Event! 


The Rolling Oklahoma Classroom is an innovative initiative funded by a grant provided by the Federal Transit Administration. The bus's purpose is to raise awareness of public transportation options in urban, rural, and tribal areas. In addition to addressing human trafficking awareness and prevention throughout the state, it offers transit workers hands-on, practical safety and security training.

Why Schedule the ROC Bus?

  • Public Transit Awareness: Learn about various public transit options available in your area.
  • Safety and Security TrainingReceive hands-on training for transit workers to ensure a safer commute for everyone.
  • Human Trafficking Prevention: Gain valuable insights and tools to combat human trafficking in our communities.
  • Accessible to All: Available to every community, tribal nation, and public event in Oklahoma by request and at no cost.

Perfect for:

  • Community Events
  • School Fairs
  • Tribal Gatherings
  • Corporate Events
  • Festivals

How to Schedule:

Organizations interested in requesting a ROC visit are encouraged to complete the request form. Don't miss this unique opportunity to enhance your event with valuable information and engaging activities.


Contact Us: 

Let’s make your 2025 event impactful and educational with the ROC Bus! 


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


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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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