By Tony Choate, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
A new program offered by the Chickasaw Nation provides a low cost alternative to rural commuters dealing with rising gas prices.
The Road to Work program offers transportation to and from work for people in south central Oklahoma.
"The lack of transportation has always been a barrier to employment," said Angie Gilliam, Chickasaw Nation Transportation Director. She added that transportation has become even more of an issue due to rising fuel prices.
The program is open to the public for a nominal fee.
Currently, two bus routes are offered.
One route serves Ada, Allen, Tupelo and Stonewall.
A second route serves Ada, Connerville and Sulphur.
Routes could be expanded to serve commuters in other areas according to Ms. Gilliam.
"Routes are not set in stone," she said. "If we have enough interest, we will establish more routes."
Based on level of interest, routes could be established to serve areas including WinStar World Casinos in Thackerville, Bedré Chocolates and the Wal-Mart Distribution center in Pauls Valley and the Riverwind Casino in Goldsby, among others.
Buses pick riders up at a central location in each community and stop at the work place of each rider.
Buses currently begin picking up riders at 5 p.m. each day for the trip home after work.
Rick Miller, Road to Work program manager, oversees the program.
Riders should call between 10 a.m. and noon to reserve a seat for the following day.
Cost of the service is $1 each way for Chickasaws and $2 for others.
Riders should provide exact change.
For information, to reserve a seat or to request service in your area, call 1-800-492-2115.
EAST ROUTE
6:00 a.m. - Leave Ada
6:20 a.m. - Arrive at Chickasaw Nation Housing complex, 30608 CR 1478 in Allen
6:25 a.m. - Leave Allen
6:50 a.m. - Arrive at Chickasaw Nation Community Center, 106 4th Street in Tupelo
6:55 a.m. - Leave Tupelo
7:15 a.m. - Arrive at Chickasaw Nation Housing complex, 23961 CR 1634 in Stonewall
7:20 a.m. - Leave Stonewall
7:35 a.m. - Arrive in Ada
5:00 p.m. – Begin collecting riders in Ada for return trip
SOUTH ROUTE
5:30 a.m. - Leave Ada
6:00 a.m. - Arrive at Chickasaw Nation senior site, 6700 N. Hwy. 277 in Connerville
6:15 a.m. - Leave Connerville
6:45 a.m. - Arrive at Chickasaw Nation senior site, 401 E. Oklahoma in Sulphur
7:00 a.m. - Leave Sulphur
7:30 a.m. – Arrive in Ada
5:00 p.m. – Begin collecting riders in Ada for return trip
