$857,019 awarded to improve services

$857,019 awarded to improve transportation services

Two community providers were awarded funding to improve transportation services for elderly individuals, low-income individuals, and persons with disabilities.

The INCOG Board of Directors approved the recipients at its Feb. 14 meeting. Selected projects were derived from the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Service Transportation Plan adopted by INCOG in May 2007. The plan addresses use of funds provided through the federal Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom programs for projects serving elderly persons, low-income persons, and persons with disabilities.

Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. will receive $305,857 to improve access to health care and other essential services by expanding a pilot program that focuses on coordination and outreach to human service agencies serving target populations.

“We are excited about receiving this award to serve a population,” said Morton CEO Robert Sanders, “comprised of elderly, the homeless, and residents of public housing, that is medically underserved.”

Sanders added that the initial step to providing services has been to partner with the Tulsa Agency on Aging, the Tulsa Housing Authority, the Tulsa City-County Health Department, and the Zarrow Foundation. The New Freedom program will help fund the next crucial step to extend and expand the service.

The Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority will receive $551,162 to fund four routes: 105 Cherokee Industrial Park Extension, Broken Arrow 508, North Tulsa/Airport/Memorial 203, and Charles Page/Sand Springs 114

The routes will provide access to jobs, education facilities, and essential services, including the Cherokee Industrial Park, the Health Department, and the Tulsa Technology Center. "Tulsa Transit is grateful for this program funding,” said Tulsa Transit Manager Bill Cartwright. “Most of the people using public transit in Tulsa are commuting to and from work, and this money will help us grow and improve our system."

For more information on these projects or the applications process, contact the INCOG Transportation Planning Division at (918) 584-7526 or email transportation@incog.org.