With gas prices fluctuating again, Cherokee Nation continues to explore ways to cut expenses for employees and others who regularly commute to and from Tahlequah. One of the most affordable options now being offered in the Sequoyah County area is public transportation between Sallisaw and Tahlequah, using the KI BOIS Area Transit System (KATS).

Michael Lynn, Cherokee Nation Community Services Roads director, said the tribe and KATS have entered into a cooperative agreement, providing a direct point-to-point morning route from Cherokee Nation Casino in Sallisaw to the Cherokee Nation complex south of Tahlequah and back again at night. At only $1 for one-way and $2 for round-trip, the service is very economical.

Anyone who needs morning transportation to one of the stops along the way is welcome.  Riders can also use the schedule to return home in the evening. To ensure a ride and help keep the bus on schedule, participants are asked to arrive at their desired departure location at least five minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Parking is available for Sallisaw and surrounding area residents in a designated parking area at the Cherokee Nation Casino located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Interstate 40. Marble City area riders may use the parking lot located at the southwest corner of Main Street and Seminole Avenue.  Other participants may use the regular parking lots available at each of the other departure points.

Lynn said that the nation is pleased to be able to offer the expanded routes to various Cherokee Nation facilities for both employees and the general public.  In addition to the Sallisaw/Tahlequah route, Lynn indicated that new transit routes in Adair and Mayes Counties have also been added.

“Those that participate will not only save on fuel costs but on vehicle wear and tear as well,” Lynn said. “I really encourage everyone who can take advantage of this opportunity to give it a try.”

A complete schedule of departure locations and times follows:

Morning schedule departure times are:

—Cherokee Casino Sallisaw – 6:25 a.m.                       

—Marble City – 6:45 a.m.         

—Cookson United Methodist Church – 7:09 a.m.                                

—Keys Baptist Church – 7:26 a.m.       

—Cherokee Casino Tahlequah – 7:40 a.m.        

—Sequoyah Schools/Cherokee Nation Child Development Center – 7:42 a.m.           

—Cherokee Nation W.W. Keeler Complex – 7:44 a.m.                        

—Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital – 7:55 a.m.

—End Route/Other – 8 a.m.                    

Evening schedule departure times are:

—Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital – 5:05 p.m.   

—Cherokee Nation W.W. Keeler Complex – 5:16 p.m.   

—Sequoyah Schools/Cherokee Nation Child Development Center– 5:18 p.m.   

—Cherokee Casino, Tahlequah – 5:20 p.m. 

—Keys Baptist Church – 5:34 p.m.   

—Cookson United Methodist Church – 5:51 p.m.   

—Marble City – 6:15 p.m.   

—Cherokee Casino Sallisaw – 6:35 p.m.   

—End Route/Other – 6:40 p.m.

For more information, call Tahlequah KATS dispatcher at (918) 453-1153 or the Sallisaw KATS dispatcher at (918) 775-7433.