In the mid 1980's rural areas in southeastern Oklahoma were beginning to lose commercial transit carriers. The U.S. Department of Transportation viewed the problem as a serious threat to the mobility of elderly and low-income citizens. Funds were made available to help local organizations develop their own low-cost means of moving people to their destinations.
 

    Little Dixie took advantage of these funds in 1983 and started the public transportation program with a single van and one driver. The popularity of the program quickly took hold and has grown to one of the agency's largest programs with 90 vehicles and 70 employees.
 

    A program director continues to monitor the needs of the riding public to expand services where they are required. Approximately 1.4 million miles are driven in the 250,000 average trips each year.
 

    In addition to local services, Little Dixie Transit also operates routes by reservation to DFW and Will Rogers Airport. These routes also connect with other public transportation systems in Dallas and Oklahoma City.
 

    For many elderly riders in the system, the mobility allows them to remain independent. For the low-income riders, it allows them an affordable means of travel. Fares are offset by grant money from the Federal Transportation Administration and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation as well as revenue generated through fares and contracts with other programs. The total annual budget is now more than $1.7 million.
 

    Little Dixie Transit is now providing public transportation for eligible Medicaid clients in three counties. The program called SoonerRide is free to customers. Approximately 1100 trips per month are provided to Oklahoma City, Dallas, Texarkana, Ada, Denison, Tulsa and parts of Arkansas.
 

   

For Transit Information