Budget Reductions to Impact EMBARK

June 9. 2016

Due to budgetary reductions resulting from a decline in municipal sales tax revenue, the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) is proposing to eliminate a contracted transportation service known as LINK.

LINK is a contracted service that operates in a limited-service area on Sundays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. The proposed elimination would not affect regular fixed-route or paratransit services.

“Anytime we’re faced with a budget reduction we strive to protect service levels,” said Jason Ferbrache, COTPA Administrator and Director of Public Transportation and Parking for the City of Oklahoma City. “People depend on our public transit options to get to work, school and appointments and we take that very seriously. The reduction we are making will eliminate some duplication in weeknight service that exists between fixed-route and LINK and eliminates LINK service entirely on Sunday. We propose to cut where it would impact the fewest customers.”

COTPA will conduct public hearings to describe the proposed elimination and to receive public comments. The meetings are scheduled at the hub of the LINK service area, so that opportunities for public comments are more convenient for patrons.

• Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Downtown Transit Center located at 420 NW 5 St.
• Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Downtown Transit Center located at 420 NW 5 St.

Staff will reexamine the proposed elimination after receiving public comment and will make their final recommendation to the COTPA Board July 1. If approved, changes would go into effect August 1, 2016.