OTA will not hold board meetings on July 4th and August 1st. 

Our annual meeting will be Tuesday, August 15 at the dinner during the joint conference with WSTA.

Our board meetings will resume Tuesday, September 5 at 10 a.m.

OTA's annual awards will be presented at the joint conference with WSTA during an OTA-only dinner Tuesday, August 15 in Vancouver. Awards may be submitted through July 21 at https://forms.gle/sckUsDA79YWdQP4w8.

Award categories include:

• SYSTEM INNOVATION: Honoring a public transportation system that has demonstrated innovative concepts or effective problem-solving techniques not previously applied in the public transportation industry.
• OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE: Honoring an employee of a public transportation system who has made outstanding contributions to the public transportation industry.
• OUTSTANDING MANAGER: Honoring a manager of a public transportation system who has made outstanding contributions to the public transportation industry.
• DISTINGUISHED SERVICE: Honoring a public transportation decisionmaker, elected or public official, or private citizen who has contributed at the highest level to the public transportation industry through policy, legislative initiative, and leadership.
• HERO AWARD: Honoring a public transportation employee, volunteer, or passenger who has demonstrated a high level of compassion and care to those using transit services.
• DRIVER OF THE YEAR: Honoring a public transportation driver who has consistently demonstrated outstanding service and care to their passengers.
• OUTSTANDING BOARD MEMBER: Honoring a member of a public transportation system's governing board for their outstanding contributions to the public transportation industry.
• LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR: Honoring a state legislator for outstanding, consistent leaderhsip on issues of highest priority to the transit community.

OTA is pleased to join the Washington State Transit Association for a joint public transportation conference and Roadeo. 

Information and registration for the conference August 13-15 is available at https://watransit.com/publictransportationconference.

Information and registration for the roadeo August 12-13 is available at https://watransit.com/stateroadeo.

On April 29th, Sunset Empire Transportation District made the difficult decision to halt all transit service to their community due to severe financial issues. Yesterday, the OTA Board of Directors met with district officials to discuss their needs and issues.

OTA members and ODOT are supportive of the district and their community and are offering technical assistance, advice, guidance, and operations support during this difficult time. We are also in contact with key officials at ODOT, the capitol, and with local officials.

If your organization is able to offer any support, please contact Arla Miller, ODOT’s Regional Transit Coordinator for the North Coast, at Arla.Miller@odot.oregon.gov or 503-949-5415.

We are very proud of the OTA community in stepping up to assist one of fellow districts.