Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma Making Gains

2009-2019 A Landmark Decade for Regional Transit in Central Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OKLAHOMA CITY –The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Central Oklahoma is poised to take its next formative step as its second year begins.

This month, the RTA Board of Directors and the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA), also known as EMBARK, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for EMBARK to provide Interim Administrative Services and its Administrator to serve as its Interim Executive Director. The agreement’s term is two years and will become effective on February 1, 2020.

The new administrative relationship comes as RTA’s focus shifts from initial governance and organizational development to transit system operational planning. EMBARK’s experience in transit operations and planning will be beneficial to the success of RTA’s efforts.

Nearly one year ago, the cities of Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and Del City formed the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Central Oklahoma. The effort was the culmination of more than a decade of tireless work and the accomplishment of several strategic milestones led by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG).

A decade of accomplishments include:

• Regional Transit Dialogue (2009)
• Santa Fe Intermodal Transportation Hub (2010)
• Central OK Go Commuter Corridor Study (2013)
• Passage of HB 2480 (2014)
• Regional Transit Authority Task Force
• Historic Signing of the RTA Trust Agreement by the Six Cities

“We are grateful for ACOG’s leadership and dedication. It’s from their bold efforts that the Board can confidently lead the RTA,” said former Oklahoma Governor and RTA Board chairman, Brad Henry. “We look forward to engaging with our member communities and building on the foundations established over the last decade.”

The next RTA board meeting will be Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at 2 p.m. at 431 W Main, Suite B – EMBARK Large Conference Room in the Arts District Garage.