I received 2 emails from COTPA today:


CENTRAL OKLAHOMA TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING AUTHORITY
300 Southwest 7th Oklahoma City, OK 73109 w phone (405) 235-RIDE w fax (405) 297-2111wgometro.org


For Immediate Release For more information, call:
June 13, 2007 Davan Gardner 297-2976

METRO Transit Seeks Community Input on
Proposed METRO Link Service Changes

Oklahoma City- Due to reductions in federal Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) funding and the decision of local jurisdictions to preserve more utilized public transportation options, METRO Transit proposes elimination of METRO Link weekday routes.

METRO Transit will hold a Public Hearing in order to receive comments concerning the proposed reductions. Once approved, changes would become effective June 30, 2007.

Public Hearing
Thursday, June 21st, 2007
4:05pm
Midwest City Library
Meeting Room A
8201 E. Reno Avenue
Midwest City, Ok
(along the METRO Link 80b Black Route and along the METRO Transit Route 15).

METRO Transit will conduct the Public Hearing to describe the proposed elimination, suggest alternative transportation options, and to receive comments. The hearing is planned to last 30-45 minutes.

The proposed service changes would consist of the elimination of service on all METRO Link routes operated in Eastern Oklahoma County between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. All forms of Routes 79 and 80 would be eliminated.

Patrons must notify METRO Transit at 235-7433 (TDD 297-2602) 48 hours in advance if a sign language interpreter or other disability accommodation is needed at the hearing. Written comments or questions about the proposed changes will also be accepted at the COTPA Administrative Offices through June 22nd, 2007 by e-mail to the webmaster at www.gometro.org; by phone to COTPA Customer Service at 235-7433 (TDD 297-2602); or by mail to:

Customer Service
Attn: METRO Link
C/O COTPA
300 SW 7th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73109

METRO Link is a transportation van service created to complement the regular fixed route service. The weekday schedule currently serves Midwest City, Del City and Choctaw.

METRO Link weekday passengers may find the following options to be a viable alternative to the proposed METRO Link elimination.

Route 15 - Regular bus service serving Midwest City, including Rose State College, MWC Library, Crest Foods, Wal-Mart and Heritage Park Mall.

Grocery Shopping Shuttle - Van service to designated grocery stores one afternoon per week for persons 60 and older.

Congregate Meal Site Transportation – Daily van service to a nearby nutrition site for a noon meal for persons over the age of 60.

METRO Lift - Lift-equipped vans for qualified persons whose disability prevents them from using the regular METRO Transit bus system.

Share-A-Fare - Discount taxi fares for qualified persons who are disabled or over the age of 60.

METRO Transit is a division of COTPA, a public trust responsible for providing downtown parking alternatives as well as safe, efficient, and convenient transportation to the citizens of the Greater Oklahoma City Metropolitan area. Call 235-RIDE for more information, or visit online at Welcome to www.gometro.org (http://www.gometro.org).

6/13/2007
Contact: Paul Newmark – 297-3838
Kristy Yager – 297-2550

Oklahoma City’s Empowerment Zone gains momentum

Oklahoma City businesses received a boost last month when President Bush signed a provision expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employers. Effective immediately, businesses can claim a tax credit of up to $2,400 per person for hiring citizens age 18 to 39 living in Oklahoma City’s Empowerment Zone.

The tax credits only extended to Empowerment Zone residents between the ages of 18 and 24 before Bush signed the legislation.

According to Paul Newmark, Federal Program Grant Manager for the City of Oklahoma City, any business, regardless of location, can take advantage of the tax credits. “We hope the tax credit money will provide those businesses an opportunity to grow and add additional employees.” Newmark said.

“I also encourage Empowerment Zone residents looking for a job to mention the tax credit in their interview. Many businesses simply aren’t aware that they can take the credit. I think it’s a great incentive for employers to hire these residents,” Newmark added.

Oklahoma City’s Empowerment Zone encompasses a 20-square mile area, extending from NW 63 south to SW 29 and from Portland to Bryant Avenue. A map detailing the Empowerment Zone can be found at EMPOWEROKC.COM (http://www.empowerokc.com).

The Empowerment Zone is an economic development initiative created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist economically distressed, high-poverty neighborhoods. Oklahoma City received its Empowerment Zone designation in 2002.

Oklahoma City’s Empowerment Zone is administered by the City Planning Department. For details about the empowerment zone or tax credits, call Paul Newmark at (405) 297-3838.