Cimarron Public Transit is asking citizens to complete a transportation needs survey that could result in expanded public transit services in Bartlesville in the future.
“We are partnering with three other public transit programs — Ki BOIS, Pelivan and JAMM Transit — to apply to the Federal Transit Administration for ‘Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration Program” funding,'” said Laura Corff, transit director for United Community Action Program – Cimarron Public Transit, which operates the City of Bartlesville’s public transportation program, CityRide.
Corff said the program is competitive, and that funding, if granted, would be used to pay for technology and research that would pave the way for a more spontaneous and rider-centric approach to shared ride service in Bartlesville.
“We believe such a pilot would improve the economic viability of the community, because families and individuals can reach more destinations when trips can be scheduled as life happens,” she said. “The funding would support technology for a mobile app and an integrated payment system. The mobile application has not been researched in rural settings, so this project would be the first. With the mobile app we would expand service into evenings and weekends as a pilot project for at least 12 months. Furthermore, the technology has the capacity to track travel patterns for predictive routing to improve efficiencies.”
Corff said CPT plans to request funding for technology and operating expenses for two vehicles in Bartlesville.
“The pilot would be for service within the city limits of Bartlesville,” she said. “The technology would work with smart phones or trips could be scheduled on a desktop. We like the safety features whereby the mobile app informs the rider of the estimated time of arrival, sends a photo of the driver and description of the vehicle. A mapping feature would inform the rider of the vehicle’s location.”
All vehicles would be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Corff said.
“Currently, there are no vehicles that are available after hours and weekends in any rural areas in Oklahoma that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but this funding would change that,” she said.
“Although this is a shift away from the traditional supply-side thinking toward how best to create an exceptional rider experience, the project would bring greater freedom, convenience and equity to individuals with disabilities, seniors and residents in rural communities. The pilot would help with evening classes, late hospital discharges, people returning home from working the second shift work or getting to third shift work, shopping, little league practices, and limitless other activities.”
The survey is available here. For more information, call UCAP at 580.718.0444.