JONES SEEKING INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

            Elda Jones, Alva resident and retired Northwestern Oklahoma State University health and physical education instructor, currently is seeking information on the possibility of bringing public transportation to Alva.

            She has provided the accompanying survey to gather information from the community, as well as from Northwestern students and employees, and is asking that all completed surveys be returned to her by May 12. Once the information is compiled, Jones will present it to the Alva City Council for consideration.

            In researching what other communities are doing, Jones said she found that several communities have public transportation, and Lindsey, which she said has half the population of Alva and no university, has public transportation.

            Jones said she used the transit system in Enid when she was in the hospital. She said it took her to the doctor, shopping and also transported many mentally disabled people to work. They also picked up students going to and from school.

            Jones said that she understands that there is a grant available from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to buy a van and communication systems, whether it is taken on through the City of Alva or by a private individual, company or organization.

            Other information provided by Jones included that the Senior Citizens Center in Alva has a bus, but it is only for those individuals who are 65 years old or more; however, 60 percent of Alva’s population is comprised of people aged 18 to 65.

            Higher gas prices also could figure in to more people looking to public transportation, Jones said.

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