Muskogee County Transit Office Introduces Electric Transit Option

The first fully electric transit van in the state of Oklahoma is going to be in use starting next week in Muskogee County.

Making Muskogee a more environmentally friendly place has always been a goal for Dena Wilson.

"When I started for the transit a little over five years ago, one of the first things I wanted to do was to help Muskogee transit go green,” Wilson said.

A grant from the federal transportation administration and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation paid for the electric van.

It will not run on a route. People will have to call the office and schedule a trip to use the van.

Wilson and her office are working on creating an app to make schedule easier.

"It will make us much more efficient with our scheduling and will also give our rider the ability to go on their phone and schedule some of their own trips, as well as schedule their vehicle and find their ride,” Wilson said.

According to ODOT,  the state is getting $66 million in federal funding over the next five years to install more Electric Vehicle charging stations statewide.

John Moore, the Muskogee County Operations Manager, thinks this is great timing as they roll out this option to the public.

"They drive great and it's an excellent vehicle. We're excited to put it on the road,” Moore said.

The van is wheelchair friendly, and people can call to use it from 9 AM until 5 PM. To find out more about scheduling a ride, click here.