Help is on the way for Oklahoma’s public transit providers that have been impacted by decreased ridership and higher operational costs due to COVID-19.

Governor Kevin Stitt along with Secretary of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz announced that $6 million in federal CARES Act funding will be directed to ODOT for the Protect Transit project, which includes purchase of Personal Protective Equipment and cleaning supplies for public transit agencies statewide.  

“This funding is essential for helping Oklahoma’s transit operators weather this storm while continuing to provide their service to the public,” said Stitt.  “ODOT works with transit providers on a daily basis, so we already have good relationships and systems in place to identify the greatest needs and get these supplies delivered quickly.” 

This funding will help public transit agencies statewide continue to provide PPE to drivers and routinely disinfect the buses and vans in their fleets. Equipment and supplies available to transit providers through ODOT ranges from hand sanitizer, masks and disposable gloves to industrial foggers for vehicle decontamination and partitions that can be installed to protect drivers.  

“Public transit is extremely important to our communities and provides transportation for some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable populations to get to work or the doctor,” said Gatz. “This $6 million will protect drivers and riders by reducing the spread of the virus and allowing Oklahomans to ride confidently.”   

ODOT administers funds to 20 rural transit agencies and more than 130 organizations that provide mobility services to elderly and disabled Oklahomans. Large urban transit agencies, like Tulsa Transit and EMBARK in Oklahoma City, receive federal funding, including CARES Act funds, directly.