COTPA Releases Final Transportation Plan

(September 20, 2007) - Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) is releasing the final Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Plan for the Oklahoma City Urban Area.

The Coordinated Plan identifies existing transportation needs and gaps and provides strategies for the sharing of federally aided transportation resources by health and human service agencies, van service providers, and other transportation service providers. In addition, the plan features ideas for getting people to work, healthcare, training, senior centers, food stores and discusses the need for better sidewalks and bus stops.  The strategies are designed primarily for people with disabilities, older adults, and lower income households.

COTPA prepared the plan in efforts to secure federal funding. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires, in effect, that projects selected for funding be derived from this coordinated plan for two grants: Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom program. Several citizens on the Plan’s Advisory Committee say to be like most large U.S. regions, dedicated local and state funds are truly needed to satisfy transit needs.  In fact, most regions levy a small sales tax or property tax to operate service.

Although COTPA is the designated recipient for the JARC and New Freedom grants, any transportation provider is eligible to apply for this funding. The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) is currently preparing criteria to best select eligible projects submitted by transportation providers.  Once the criteria are finalized, ACOG will release a call for projects and manage the selection process.

The Coordinated Plan is available online at www.gometro.org under “News and Events”.

METRO Transit is a division of COTPA, a public trust responsible for providing downtown parking alternatives as well as safe, efficient, and convenient transportation to the citizens of the Greater Oklahoma City Metropolitan area. Call 235-RIDE for more information, or visit online at www.gometro.org.