Transportation forum covers state, regional transit

The Ozarks Transportation Organization is presenting a regional transportation forum this afternoon.

The discussion, titled "Opportunities, Challenges and Lessons Learned," will discuss Missouri transportation and transit, and regional transit, vanpooling and carpooling, according to the OTO Web site. The forum takes place 2-5 p.m. at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway.

Scheduled presenters are:

• Missouri Department of Transportation Springfield District Engineer Kirk Juranas, on "A Conversation for Moving Missouri Forward;"

• MoDOT Administrator of Transit Steve Billings, on options for organization and finance of regional transit;

• Carol Cruise, City Utilities' transit director;

• Howard Fisk, who provides Missouri State University's transit system;

• Mell Henderson, from the Mid-America Regional Council-Kansas City;

• Danny O'Connor, from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; and

• Natasha Longpine, from the OTO and www.ozarkscommute.com.

The agenda also includes two question-and-answer sessions.