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SORTS is 2011 ‘Oklahoma Transit System of the Year’ |
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| OTA 2011 System of the Year |
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OTA President Susan Coldwater, Delta Public Transit (l) and Jason Roy, Alliance Bus Group,(r) present 2011 Oklahoma Transit System of the Year Award to Allen M. Leaird, SORTS, who also received the OTA Transit Manager of the Year Award. Also pictured is Carol Hammons, Big Five Community Services executive director. |
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Southern Oklahoma Rural Transportation Service (SORTS) was named the 2011 Oklahoma Transit System of the Year by the Oklahoma Transit Association. The announcement took place during the 14th Annual OTA ‘Awards for Excellence’ banquet January 26 at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center. As part and parcel of the System of the Year award, Allen M. Leaird, SORTS director, was also named Transit Manager of the Year. |
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Leaird accepted the award from Susan Coldwater of Delta Public Transit, the OTA president. Five transit systems were presented awards in as many categories. Recipients were selected by a panel of independent media judges. |
| SORTS was founded in 1985 and since 1996 has been under Leaird’s leadership. The system is headquartered in Durant with satellite offices in Coalgate Ardmore and Marietta. and serves four counties - Bryan, Carter, Coal, and Love. Many trip reach far beyond these four counties through the SoonerRide and Road-to-Work Oklahoma programs. SORTS also provides a link to interstate, commercial bus carriers from all counties served including service from Coalgate to the Durant bus depot. Leaird describes the gamut of SORTS services in this way: “Our buses are in constant use for transit needs including rides to work, school, shopping, medical appointments, dining or just visiting friends.” SORTS has grown from an eight bus project to over 60 vehicles in operations each day. In 2011, passenger trips exceeded 188,000 and revenue miles were over 1.16 million. One of those vehicles is the trolley serving Ardmore and Carter County which was dedicated during the 2006 OTA Conference on Oklahoma Transit in Ardmore. |
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Almost all of this growth and expansion has come under Leaird’s direction. Allen is a past-president of OTA. In 2004, he was named the Oklahoma Transit Professional of the Year. Other 2011 OTA award recipients included:
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| 2011 OTA Professional of the Year |
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Jeannie McMillin of Little Dixie Transit accepts 2011 Oklahoma Transit Professional of the Year Award. McMillin is the OTA secretary-treasurer. |
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| 2011 OTA Marketing Award |
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Pelivan Transit claimed the Marketing Award with an outstanding program ranging from 'Rocklahoma' to 'Stuff the Bus Oklahoma'. Pictured along with Coldwater and Roy are (l-r) Debbie McGlasson, transit director; Devon Murray, marketing director; and Hope White, all of Pelivan. |
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| 2011 OTA Ridership Award |
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Charla Sloan of KiBois Area Transit System garnered the 2011 Ridership & Expanded Service Award. |
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| 2011 OTA Safety and Training |
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Kim Watkins of Enid Transit claims 2011 Safety & Training Award. |
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| OTA INCOG Stansberry |
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Carol Herrick of Operation Homefront Oklahoma - the OTA partner for 'Stuff the Bus Oklahoma' - with a Harold Stansberry Dedicated Service Award. |
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| OTA OHOK Stansberry |
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Carol Herrick of Operation Homefront Oklahoma - the OTA partner for 'Stuff the Bus Oklahoma' - with a Harold Stansberry Dedicated Service Award. |
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| OTA Transit Matters Stansberry |
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Transit Matters of Tulsa was responsible for the greatest advocacy group result in Oklahoma history. Elaine Meek was on hand to receive Harold Stansberry Dedicated Service Award. |
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| Contact Us: Oklahoma Transit Association 5030 N. May, #233 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (p) 405.208.8777 -- (f) 405.208.8770 |
