Transit System celebrates arrival of first bus, announces initial route schedule

By Dustin Gray
Media Specialist

On Monday, March 31, members of the community and Seminole Nation employees congregated inside the halls of the tribal complex, anticipating the initial voyage of the Seminole Nation Public Transit System’s first bus.

Then the bus pulled into the parking lot; the manifestation of several months of dedication and steadfast planning by the Transportation Department.

Officials posed for a photograph outside, as passengers boarded eagerly. Each noted the luxurious interior of the bus as they settled into its plush, high-backed seats.

The bus was purchased from the Glaval Bus Company,based in Elkhart, Indiana. A Glaval associate rode along to answer questions about the modifications and features of the bus.

Transportation Coordinator Tim Harjo navigated the winding streets of Wewoka, giving passengers their first notion of the new transit system. A second trip was taken to accommodate all of those who wished to participate, and a reception inside the complex greeted them upon their return. Transportation Director Chris Cutler thanked those in attendance, and refreshments were served.

Now, after three additional weeks of planning, the Transportation Department is prepared to announce its initial plans for the bus route, which will begin Monday, April 21.

They would like to remind everyone that the route schedule is still tentative. It will take several runs before they are able to better assess the needs of the public.

“It’s more of a dry run to see what it’s actually going to do,” said Tim Harjo, who will be driving the bus during this trial period. “Right now the scheduling is rough because we start at 6 a.m. and the drive alone is a little under 2 hours. As far as the miles, it’s pretty close to an 89-mile drive, if not better. It just depends on the traffic and what not.”

With only one bus at the present time, the Transportation Department will attempt to run the proposed route as frequently as it can.

“We’re going to try to run it 4 or 5 times a day, if possible,” said Harjo.

The transit system will also be offering a demand/response service, meaning that the bus will stop for residents waving along the route. The bus will also allow stops along the route for passengers wishing to exit.

Current plans indicate that Wednesday may be set aside as a weekly maintenance day for the bus. However, in an effort to assist workers in the county, the bus will still operate from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on this day. Functionality and reliability are the key motives of the transit system.

“Oklahoma City and the bigger cities have transits,” Harjo added. “If we could do the same thing here, taking everybody from home to work, and from work back to home, it will be well utilized for the people.”

With the assistance of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, two vans and an additional bus are expected to arrive near the end of May or early June.

While the transit buses will mainly have a set route, the vans will allow the Seminole Nation to better serve the needs of the elderly, disabled and handicapped. Vans will be able to transport citizens directly to doctor appointments, as well as the diabetes and dialysis center at Mekusukey Mission.

The transit system will satisfy an immediate need for Seminole County. With gas prices continuing to climb, residents are encouraged to take full advantage of the new bus route.

As former Chief Jerry Haney points out, “We may be paying $4 a gallon before it’s over with, and for some of us, it’s really difficult to get around when it gets to that.”

The Seminole Nation Public Transit System is free of charge to all residents, both Native American and non-Native American, of Seminole County. To ask questions or make suggestions, please call (405)257-7200 and ask for the Transportation Department