http://tulsatransit.org/hotbanana/tabs.cfm en-us Mon, 20 Mar 2006 04:23:20 PMMon, 11 Jan 2010 01:36:00 PM http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=790Tulsa Transit will kick off its seasonal route to the Tulsa Zoo and the Tulsa Air & Space Museum this Saturday, April 7, with a special treat for bus riders: free admission. Route 901 Express will depart from Denver Ave. Station downtown and travel non-stop to the Tulsa Air & Space Museum and then to the Tulsa Zoo. Bus riders will get a pass for free admission to both attractions on April 7.Buses depart every 45 minutes from Denver Ave. Station, 319 S. Denver, Bay #7, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Bus fare is only $0.50 per trip on Route 901 Express. No fare will be charged for customers going from the Air & Space Museum to the Zoo. “Bus riders can go from outer space to the African Savannah in one day on Tulsa Transit and get free admission compliments of the Tulsa Air & Space Museum and the Tulsa Zoo. This is a wonderful opportunity for Tulsa Transit customers to take their entire family to two of Tulsa’s best attractions for a special day of fun for only $1 per person in bus fare,” said Cynthia Staab, Tulsa Transit Assistant General Manager. “They can even pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in Mohawk Park,” she said.Customers can ride another bus route to Denver Ave. Station and use their transfer to catch Route 901 Zoo/TASM Express or they can park at a downtown meter for free near the bus station. EZ Rider fare cards will also be accepted for fare on this route.Riders can buy an EZ Rider unlimited-ride Day Pass for $3 for adults and $1.50 for kids. Just swipe the card on the farebox each time you board. Show the EZ Rider pass for free admission to the Tulsa Air & Space Museum or the Tulsa Zoo on April 7 only. Route 901 is a seasonal bus route that runs only the first Saturday of each month from April through September. The free admission for bus riders is good for April 7 only. The Tulsa Zoo and Tulsa Air & Space Museum do participate in the EZ Rider discount program year-round offering discounts to EZ Rider fare card holders.Tulsa Transit will kick off its seasonal route to the Tulsa Zoo and the Tulsa Air & Space Museum this Saturday, April 7, with a special treat for bus riders: free admission. Route 901 Express will depart from Denver Ave. Station downtown and travel non-stop to the Tulsa Air & Space Museum and then to the Tulsa Zoo. Bus riders will get a pass for free admission to both attractions on April 7.Buses depart every 45 minutes from Denver Ave. Station, 319 S. Denver, Bay #7, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Bus fare is only $0.50 per trip on Route 901 Express. No fare will be charged for customers going from the Air & Space Museum to the Zoo. “Bus riders can go from outer space to the African Savannah in one day on Tulsa Transit and get free admission compliments of the Tulsa Air & Space Museum and the Tulsa Zoo. This is a wonderful opportunity for Tulsa Transit customers to take their entire family to two of Tulsa’s best attractions for a special day of fun for only $1 per person in bus fare,” said Cynthia Staab, Tulsa Transit Assistant General Manager. “They can even pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in Mohawk Park,” she said.Customers can ride another bus route to Denver Ave. Station and use their transfer to catch Route 901 Zoo/TASM Express or they can park at a downtown meter for free near the bus station. EZ Rider fare cards will also be accepted for fare on this route.Riders can buy an EZ Rider unlimited-ride Day Pass for $3 for adults and $1.50 for kids. Just swipe the card on the farebox each time you board. Show the EZ Rider pass for free admission to the Tulsa Air & Space Museum or the Tulsa Zoo on April 7 only. Route 901 is a seasonal bus route that runs only the first Saturday of each month from April through September. The free admission for bus riders is good for April 7 only. The Tulsa Zoo and Tulsa Air & Space Museum do participate in the EZ Rider discount program year-round offering discounts to EZ Rider fare card holders.For details call 582-2100 or log on to www.tulsatransit.org http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=776Americans Take More Than 10 Billion Trips on Public Transportation for the First Time in Almost Fifty YearsTulsa, OK - If you thought you were seeing more riders during your daily public transit trip, it's not your imagination.  Tulsa Transit announced today Americans took 10.1 billion trips on public transportation nationwide in 2006 - the most in 49 years.  Over the last decade, public transportation's growth rate outpaced the growth rate of the population and the growth rate of vehicle miles traveled on our nation's highways.   Tulsa Transit's bus ridership rose 17% on local bus routes and 43% on park-and-ride bus service last year. "Reaching this milestone is a result of the quality of service we provide in helping people get to destinations important to them," said Tulsa Transit spokesperson Cynthia Staab.  "In addition, many riders realize the benefits of saving money from rising fuel costs and avoiding congestion.  They also like knowing that their transportation choice is contributing to help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and global warming."  Across the U.S., public transit use is up 30 percent since 1995.  That is more than double the growth rate of the population (12 percent) and higher than the growth rate for the vehicle miles traveled on our roads (24 percent) during that same period.  In 2006, public transit ridership grew 2.9 percent over 2005.  To put the 10.1 billion public transportation trips in perspective, transit trips outnumber domestic airline trips by 15 to one.    "Public transportation is a proven way to meet our national, regional and local transportation goals," said Staab.  "As Congress and our state and local elected officials look to find ways to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, we call on them to increase investment and include incentives to encourage further increases in transit ridership." http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=7672nd Saturday at the Museums - Route 920Tulsa Transit will introduce a new 2nd Saturday at the Museums bus route on Saturday, March 10, 2007 funded by Philbrook Museum, Gilcrease Museum and the Tulsa Historical Society.  Route 920 will travel directly to and between the three museums on the 2nd Saturday of each month only.  Bus riders get free admission to all the museums and special exhibits on March 10."You can go from the Old West to the Far East in one day.  Visit one museum or all 3.  It's a great opportunity to take the family on the bus for a day of fun and learning," said Cynthia Staab, Tulsa Transit Assistant General Manager.Customers can catch Route 920 at Denver Ave. Station downtown or at any bus stop along the route.  Park and ride service is available from Boston Ave. Methodist Church, 1301 S. Boston Ave. with free parking in the lot north of 13th St. on Boston Ave. in downtown Tulsa.  The 2nd Saturday at the Museums bus stop will be on Boston Ave. adjacent to the parking area north of 13th Street.  Riders can buy an EZ Rider unlimited-ride Day Pass for $3 for adults and $1.50 for kids.  Just swipe the card on the farebox each time you board.  Show the EZ Rider pass for free admission to all three museums and special exhibits on March 10.  After March 10, Route 920 riders with an EZ Rider pass will continue to receive free admission to Philbrook Museum and Gilcrease Museum and will receive $1 discount off special exhibits at Gilcrease Museum.  There is never an admission charge for Tulsa Historical Society. "Gilcrease Museum is proud to be a part of this effort, and we think it will help to boost interest in all participating facilities," said Jeff Yowell, Gilcrease Communications Director.Download a 2nd Saturday at the Museums Route 920 brochure with map and timetable.Gilcrease MuseumTulsa's Gilcrease Museum is one of the country's best facilities for the preservation and study of American Art and history.  It houses the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West.  www.gilcrease.org.Gilcrease Temporary Exhibits:March 10- Sept. 30, 2007:  "Oklahoma Sites: Vinson Lackey's Paintings of Historic Forts, Schools and Indian Agencies"  April -July, 2007:  "Manuel:  The Star Spangled Thank You Tour"Philbrook Museum of ArtOne of Tulsa's most beautiful neighborhoods is the setting for the Philbrook Museum of Art. An Italianate villa built on 23 lush acres in 1927 by oilman Waite Phillips, Philbrook has evolved over time from grand family estate to Tulsa's art center. Philbrook Museum of Art is one of America's finest art museums and a showcase of collections from around the world.  www.philbrook.orgPhilbrook Temporary Exhibit:Jan. 28-April 22, 2007:  "Changing Hands:  Art Without Reservation 2" Contemporary Native North American Art from the West, Northwest and Pacific.Tulsa Historical SocietyThe mission of the Tulsa Historical Society is to illuminate the past, enrich the present, and inspire future generations by collecting, preserving, and presenting Tulsa's history.  Established in 1963, the Tulsa Historical Society holds an extensive collection of resources on our city's rich past. The collection contains nearly 5,000 still photographs, books, maps, documents, graphics, historical costumes and architectural remnants, and fine and decorative arts.  The Society is currently in the process of adapting the Travis Mansion into its future home. The house will serve as the Society's headquarters and will provide space for a comprehensive museum on Tulsa's history with exhibits formed from the organization's permanent collections. Renovations are expected to be complete in September 2007.  www.tulsahistory.org-30- http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=699Tulsa Transit Introduces the EZ Rider ProgramNews ReleaseJanuary 2, 2007Riding the bus has always been a good way to save money over driving, especially with today's gas prices.  But beginning today, it's going to become an even better value.  Tulsa Transit is implementing a new EZ Rider Rewards program effective today.  New EZ Rider bus passes are now on sale at area QuikTrip locations and at our bus stations.  These new EZ Rider fare cards and passes will cost the same, but will give bus riders more than just a ride, according to Tulsa Transit Assistant General Manager Cynthia Staab.Tulsa Transit's new EZ Rider passes and fare cards will also be good for discounts at 30 area businesses with over 70 locations.  EZ Rider pass holders will receive discounts at restaurants, sporting events, entertainment attractions as well as service and retail businesses just by showing their valid EZ Rider pass.  (See complete merchant list below or click for a printer-friendly PDF flyer).And the list of merchants continues to grow.  Local businesses can join the program at no cost and benefit from increased business.  Sign up forms are available on Tulsa Transit's website at www.tulsatransit.org."If you really take advantage of the merchant discounts, it can make your bus trip nearly free," said Staab.  "A $3 EZ Rider Day Pass will get you unlimited rides for a day.  If you use that pass to get discounts at a few of the participating merchants, your bus fare for the day can be covered by the discounts.  And with today's gas prices, that's a great value."Tulsa Transit bus rider Charles Richardson said, "I'm really excited about this program.  The concept is good and there are so many businesses represented."  Customers riding the bus will be able to pick up a flyer that will detail all of the participating merchants and their discounts.Just show a valid EZ Rider fare card at any of these participating merchants and receive a super discount!   Food/RestaurantsAguila o Sol Restaurant & Cantina, 1500 W. Kenosha Ave., Broken Arrow; Buy one lunch or dinner and get second one of equal or lesser value at 50% off.Bill & Ruth's Submarine Shop, 3202 S. Memorial Drive/11103 E. 41st Street; 10% discount.Carl's Bar-B-Que, 4916 E. Pine Street; 10% discount.Charlie's Chicken - Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs; Chicken Fried Steak Dinner for $3.49.Chimis Mexican Food, 15th & Peoria, 53rd & Harvard, 81st & Lewis; 10% discount.Domino's Pizza, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Claremore, Owasso; Buy one pizza at menu price, get one of equal or lesser value free (carry out only).Fiesta Mart, Tulsa and Broken Arrow locations; Purchase any size coffee or fountain drink and receive a Krispy Kreme 2 PAK donut box free.Marilyn's Daylight Donuts, 1917 S. Elm, Broken Arrow; 10% discount.Qdoba Mexican Grill, 1520 E. 15th St., 5220 S. Yale, 7153 S. Lewis; 10% discount.Smoothie King, 51st & Yale, 7135-A S. Mingo; $1 off a smoothie.Tulsa Sips Coffee Company, 3807-A S. Peoria Ave.; 20% discount.Wendy's, Tulsa, Catoosa, Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Owasso; 10% discount.SportsTulsa 66ers, Expo Square Pavillion; $3 off a game ticket.Tulsa Drillers, 4802 E. 15th Street; $1 off ticket for Sunday through Thursday games.Tulsa Oilers, 100 Civic Center; $3.50 off upper level ticket.Tulsa Talons, 100 Civic Center; $1 off game ticket.Attractions & EntertainmentCircle Cinema, 12 S. Lewis; $1 off a ticket.Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.; $1 off admission.Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks; $2 off admission for up to 4 people.Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino, 951 W. 36th St. North; $5 in match play every 7 days.Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Rd.; $1 off admission.Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, 3624 N. 74th E. Ave.; $2 off admission.Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E. 36th St. North; $1 off admission.Professional ServicesBill Russell Plumbing, Heat & Air Company, 742-6171; $25 off any service call.Capps Photography, 724-5997; 10% discount off hourly rate.Dynamic Carpet Care, 279-1847, $5 off jobs under $100 or $10 off jobs over $100.Sting Investigations, 361-6790, 10% discount off hourly rate.RetailClothesline Clothing, 8988-B S. Sheridan, 4131 S. Sheridan; 15% discount on regularly priced merchandise.  Not valid with other discounts.K. Renee's Uniform Closet, 5557 E. 41st Street; 10% discount on all reguarly priced purchases.Westlake Ace Hardware, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Sapulpa; $5 off any $25 purchase through 12/31/07. http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=377For Immediate ReleaseSeptember 27, 2006From:  Cynthia Staab, Asst. General ManagerRE:  Tulsa Transit Bus RoadeoTulsa Transit is holding a "Bus Roadeo" competition this Sunday, October 29, 2006 at the City of Tulsa training facility, on Admiral at 109th E. Ave., from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.The "Bus Roadeo" allows Tulsa Transit's finest operators an opportunity to challenge one another on an obstacle course designed to test their driving skills.Sixteen Tulsa Transit bus operators will participate in the Roadeo but only 5 are eligible to qualify for the National Roadeo and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies and prizes.Eligibility requirements include:• One year of employment as a full or part-time operator at Tulsa Transit between Oct 1, 2005 and Oct 1, 2006.• No preventable accidents in the prior year.• No more than 3 sleep-ins in the span of one year prior.• No suspensions as a result of punitive action during the span of one year prior.• Operators missing more than 35 consecutive workdays are ineligible.The Bus Roadeo winner who meets the eligibility criteria will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to compete in the American Public Transit Association's National Bus Roadeo in April 2007.The public is invited to watch their favorite bus driver compete.-30- http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=366Commuter Rail & Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility StudyTulsa Transit's board of directors has approved a six-month feasibility study on commuter rail and/or bus rapid transit between downtown Tulsa and downtown Broken Arrow.  Tulsa Transit General Manager Bill Cartwright said, "This has been a topic of discussion for many years in both Tulsa and Broken Arrow, but until this time, there has not been a serious feasibility study. The firm we have retained, Lockwood Andrews & Newman has completed similar studies in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas. They have extensive knowledge in the rail/bus rapid transit field and their studies have resulted in implementation in other markets." Lockwood Andrews & Newman Operations Manager Timothy J. Schmidt said, "Tulsa is really an ideal candidate for a successful transportation system, be that by rail on the existing line, or other alternative systems. Our study will include a detailed overview of station options, potential users of the system and costs associated with the various options."  "Six public hearings will be held under the coordination of Striegel with the first on October 26, 2006. At the hearing we will look for input from various potential riders, business and community leaders," said Mr. Schmidt.The first two public hearing will be held on Thursday. October. 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Central Library's Aaronson Auditorium, 4th and Denver, downtown Tulsa; and from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Central on Main 210 N. Main in Broken Arrow. People are encouraged to drop by at any time during that period to learn more about the options and to contribute their opinions. For more information please contact Owen, 258-3536 ext. 13. http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=282     ONEOK Shuttle to TU football gamesONEOK is sponsoring a shuttle service from downtown Tulsa to all TU Football home games this season.  Shuttles will begin 2 hours before each game and will follow a route downtown including the Blue Dome and Brady areas.  Four buses will provide 15-minute service from downtown to TU.  The route includes pick ups along 1st Street, Brady and 2nd Street.The buses will run 2 hours after each game, following the same route from TU through downtown.Round-trip fare is $1.00 per person, exact fare required, payable upon boarding.  No fare will be charged on the return trip.  Kids 12 and under ride free.Additional sponsors include QuikTrip, AT&T and CW-12.For more information, call 582-2100 or log on to tulsatransit.org. http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=262Tulsa Transit is kicking off its latest marketing campaign today in hopes of encouraging more people to avoid high gas prices by riding the bus.  "Better Smileage" is the theme of the new campaign that begins today with outdoor advertising and radio commercials.  The attention-getting artwork shows a big, inviting, smiling bus, similar to the vehicles in the hit movie Cars.  The campaign targets people who might have considered riding the bus previously because of financial reasons, but haven't because they are confused about how to figure it out or because it wasn't the 'cool' thing to do."We're focusing on how riding the bus can make you smile by saving you money over today's high gas prices," said Cynthia Staab, Tulsa Transit Assistant General Manager.  "We want people to know there is an alternative to driving."  In fact many people have switched to public transit in the past year.  Tulsa Transit reports bus ridership has increased 30% on all routes and 70% on Express routes since this time last year.  Staab said, "People are looking for ways to save on gas and get more mileage.  We're encouraging them to join the others who get Better Smileage instead by riding the bus."The radio campaign includes three spots that borrow from a very current, trendy situation:  speed dating.  It's a great way to set up a 60-second fast-talking, funny conversation between two people.  The spots are a creative, humorous way to communicate the benefits of riding Tulsa Transit.  The campaign was developed for Tulsa Transit by Butler & Butler Advertising.  For more information about Tulsa Transit, log on to www.tulsatransit.org or call 582-2100.  http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=255Tulsa, OK -   In response to rising gas prices, Tulsa Transit announced today that it will participate in National Dump the Pump Day on June 8 to encourage residents to leave their vehicles at home and use public transit.Tulsa Transit will join with other public transportation systems throughout the country to demonstrate that public transit offers the quickest, easiest alternative to the high cost of driving.  National Dump the Pump Day is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a non-profit association of more than 1,600 member organizations, including almost 400 public transit agencies."With gasoline prices at record levels, many Americans are finding that mobility is becoming unaffordable," said Tulsa Transit General Manager Bill Cartwright.  "Public transit is the best way to beat high gas prices."Tulsa Transit encourages first-time users who are unfamiliar with public transportation in our area to call 582-2100 and let customer service help plan your commute on the bus.  After housing, transportation is the second highest cost for American families, outpacing both food and health care costs.  Since January 2003, gas prices have increased by 100 percent.  "By using public transportation on a regular basis, a person can save thousands in vehicle and fuel costs per year," said Cartwright.  "Those savings could be used for necessities such as food and medicine, help pay a student loan, or make the dream of a family vacation a reality," he said.As gasoline prices have increased, public transit systems across the United States are seeing an increase in ridership.  "People use public transit more frequently when the cost of gas rises," said APTA President William Millar.  "National Dump the Pump Day on June 8 will highlight that by using public transit, people can beat high gas prices, help reduce traffic congestion and assist our country in beating our oil addiction."In Tulsa, bus ridership has increased nearly 30% over the past year due to the gas prices.  Express route park-and-ride usage has increased 100% in the same period.  "People are definitely looking for alternatives to paying the high gas prices; and many of them are now saving a lot of money by riding Tulsa Transit."To learn more about Tulsa Transit's services, log on to www.tulsatransit.org or call 582-2100. http://tulsatransit.org/news-info/new-releases/?i=256Tulsa, OK -  The Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority is pleased to announce that Sunoco has offered to sponsor 50-cent bus rides on Ozone Alert days during the summer of 2006."Sunoco takes its commitment to the environment very seriously," said Mark Turri, Facility Manager at Sunoco's Tulsa Refinery.  "We are proud to sponsor the 50-cent bus rides on Ozone Alert Days.  Improving air quality is good for everyone  - citizens, businesses and economic development."The Tulsa Sunoco Refinery processes approximately 85,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and lubricants.  The refinery employs approximately 400 people and is the second largest refinery in Oklahoma.  Sunoco is committed to operating in a safe, environmentally-sound and reliable manner and to being a responsible corporate citizen within the Tulsa community and the state of Oklahoma.Tulsa Transit General Manager Bill Cartwright said, "We are extremely grateful for Sunoco's generous contribution and support of public transportation in Tulsa as well as their commitment to clean air."Public transportation plays a key role in reducing pollution.  Road vehicle emissions are the largest contributors to smog.  Vehicles account for 50% of air pollution nation-wide.  Compared to private vehicles public transportation produces 95% less carbon monoxide (CO), more than 92% fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nearly half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) - for every passenger mile traveled.1The Ozone Alert Program brings citizens, business, industry and government in the Tulsa area together to voluntarily reduce ozone-forming emissions on days when the area is vulnerable to high ozone levels.  For more information on Tulsa Transit's bus service, call 582-2100 or log on to www.tulsatransit.org.  For more information about Ozone Alert, log on to www.ozonealert.com.