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With gas prices on the rise 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 Mayes County area is public transportation between Salina and Tahlequah, using the Pelivan Transit System. The tribe and Pelivan have entered into a cooperative agreement, providing a direct point-to-point morning route from Cherokee Nation A-Mo Health Center in Salina to the Cherokee Nation complex south of Tahlequah and back again at night. At only $2 for one-way and $4 for round-trip, the service is very economical. Anyone who needs morning transportation to one of the stops along the way is welcomed. 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 Salina and surrounding area residents in a designated parking area at the A-Mo Health Center on the back row on the southwest side of the parking lot. Locust Grove area residents may use the parking lot on the east side of the football stadium in the center of the lot. Peggs area residents may use the south end of the Peggs Community Church parking lot and participants may use the regular parking lots available at each of the other departure points. Michael Lynn, Cherokee Nation Community Services Roads director, said that the Nation is very 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 Salina/Tahlequah route, Lynn indicated that new transit routes in Adair and Sequoyah Counties have also been added. “Those that participate will not only save on fuel costs but on vehicle wear and tear as well,” said Lynn. “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 *Salina A-Mo Health Center – 6:35 a.m. *Locust Grove Football Stadium – 6:47 a.m. *Peggs Community Church – 7 a.m. *W.W. Hastings Hospital – 7:20 a.m. *Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission – 7:27 a.m. *Cherokee Nation Male Seminary Complex – 7:36 a.m. *Cherokee Nation W.W. Keeler Complex – 7:47 a.m. *Sequoyah Schools/Child Development Center - 7:52 a.m. *Cherokee Casino Tahlequah – 7:57 a.m. *End Route/Other – 8 a.m. **Evening Schedule Departure Times *Cherokee Casino Tahlequah – 5:05 p.m. *Sequoyah Schools/Child Development Center – 5:10 p.m. *Cherokee Nation W.W. Keeler Complex – 5:15 p.m. *Cherokee Nation Male Seminary Complex – 5:26 p.m. *Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission – 5:34 p.m. *W.W. Hastings Hospital – 5:41 p.m. *Peggs Community Church – 6:01 p.m. *Locust Grove Football Stadium – 6:12 p.m. *Salina A-Mo Health Center – 6:24 p.m. *End Route/Other – 6:27 p.m. For more information about the transit program, please call Pelivan Dispatch: 800-282-2014 or the Pelivan main office: 800-482-4594.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org