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ODOT requests $2M to expand mobility management, cites rural transit funding squeeze
Summary
ODOT asked the committee for $2 million to expand statewide mobility management and described a rural transit funding mix of federal formula dollars, state match and recent one‑time appropriations.
ODOT told legislators it is seeking $2,000,000 to expand mobility management—a program the agency says coordinates rides, leverages technology and helps rural providers improve efficiency.
Deputy Dawn Sullivan explained the current funding mix for rural transit: about $24.7 million in federal formula funding goes to providers, $5.75 million in state funding has been used as match, and ODOT received a $5,000,000 one‑time appropriation in 2024 to help rural systems. The department also noted state-directed revenues of $3,000,000 from income tax, $850,000 from motor-fuel tax and $6,900,000 from the State Transportation Fund that historically supported rural public transit. ODOT told the committee it would like the $6.9 million dedicated back to the rural public transit revolving fund on a recurring basis.
Why it matters: Mobility management aims to centralize scheduling, improve trip efficiency (medical rides, grocery or work trips) and help small towns and non‑profits that struggle to provide or match federal funds. Deputy Sullivan said local matches are often hard for small providers to find and that the requested $2 million would be used to leverage additional 5310 (elderly and disabled) funds or to directly expand programs statewide.
Gatz and Sullivan said ODOT operates a mobility office by statute to oversee federal transit programs and interacts with large urban systems (Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Enid, Lawton) and 19 rural public transit systems. Committee members who had used the program described constituent cases—workers and families with limited access—and asked about how the department measures return on investment; ODOT cited measures such as rides provided, match leveraged and reductions in inefficient volunteer trips.
Ending: ODOT asked the Legislature to consider recurring commitments to sustain rural transit match needs and to fund mobility management to improve service coordination across the state.
