The CityRide mobility on demand PICK project, a pilot project that would allow the City’s public transportation program to offer expanded service on evenings and weekends, has been delayed until Dec. 3, project director Laura Corff said Monday. The project was set to start Nov. 1.
Corff, who serves as transit director for Cimarron Transit System, which is administered under the umbrella of United Community Action Program, said one reason for the delay has been a lack of qualified applicants to fill the program’s need for drivers.
Corff said medical marijuana, though legal in Oklahoma, has posed a stumbling block in the hiring process.
“We are beginning to receive a few nibbles from potential applicants; however, applicants must pass pre-employment screenings, which will not allow medical marijuana,” she said. “Although medical marijuana is legal under state law, it is illegal under federal law. This project and our public transit program are federally supported and subject to random drug and alcohol testing which prohibits any marijuana in the system.”
Corff said screenings also include national background checks, motor vehicle reports, urine drug screenings and sex offender records check. Corff said successful applicants must have no felonies, must have a clean driving record, must pass a urine drug screening and may not be a registered sex offender.
PICK will utilize a computer app for scheduling purposes, identifying the vehicle and the driver as well as an estimated time of arrival and allow for CityRide availability from 5-10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. CityRide service is currently offered from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with limited Saturday service. The PICK program was set to start Nov. 1.
The hourly wage for PICK drivers is $10. The hourly wage for daytime drivers is $9. Training will be provided and benefits are available to drivers for both programs. Applications are available online at www.ucapinc.org or call 918.762.3041 Ext. 182 for more information. All CityRide vehicles are ADA accessible.