Rick Miller

An exciting new program, offered by the Chickasaw Nation Transportation Department, is scheduled to be launched early next month.

The Road to Work Program will provide a transportation route between Ada and Goldsby, Okla., and will strive to fill the void in public transportation.

“Public transportation is much-needed in our rural areas, and this is one way to meet the ever-growing need,” said Angie Gilliam, tribal transportation services director.

“It is going to help people get to work.”

Two buses will be used in the program, one leaving Ada and one leaving from Goldsby each morning. This will give clients more options on times to catch the bus, and should cater to those who have non-traditional working hours.

A total of three routes per day are planned.

“The lack of transportation has always been a barrier to employment, this will alleviate that issue, the buses will make a stop where riders’ work,” Gilliam said.

The route was targeted due to the number of employers in the area, including, but not limited to, Bedre and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Pauls Valley and Riverwind Casino in Goldsby.

There will be a nominal fee to ride the shuttle bus, and it will be open to the general public.

“We are excited about this program, we have been working on it for over a year. This has never been done in the tribe, we are looking forward to getting started and helping people get to work,” Gilliam said.

Rick Miller, Road to Work program manager, is currently finalizing routes, hiring bus drivers and taking care of other details so the program will be ready to launch early next month.

Miller, of Ada, will oversee all aspects of the program. He has worked for the Chickasaw Nation for nine years.

His job duties officially doubled after transportation officials received word last month of additional federal funding. Plans are in the works to develop a route between Ada and Thackerville with the additional funding.

For more information about the Road to Work program, call 1-800-429-2115.