Update on San Carlos Apache Transit Services (SCATS)
Read the latest partnership update with the San Carlos Apache Tribe Nnee Bicho'nii ("Helping Our Apache People"), Apache Transit Services and ADOT. In addition, with the help of public transit, employment placements have increased to 533 and welfare caseloads have dropped from 901 caseloads to 358.

San Carlos Apache Tribe first responders attend Railroad Incident Training classes.
Arizona Eastern Railway provided a locomotive, a Dome car which served as a classroom and demonstration platform, and tank and covered hopper cars. Captain James and Chief Cheney are to be congratulated for making sure their respective departments had an opportunity to participate.
- View pictures from the event.

Arizona Eastern Railway partnership success
In 2009 Arizona Eastern Railway partnered with Arizona DOT to propose a major upgrade of the Railway to be funded through the Federal stimulus TIGER grant program. This upgrade grant proposal was developed in consultation with the San Carlos Tribe and various public agencies that serve southeast Arizona. Through these discussions AZER and the Tribe also committed, in September of last year, to a formal partnership to better coordinate economic development and safety strategies. The partnership is also oriented to explore opportunities to better lever the tourism and leisure potential of the AZER rail corridor. These discussions are continuing on a bilateral basis and in the broader context of the ADOT/San Carlos partnership framework.

San Carlos Apache Transit applies for PARA funds
Apache Transit set a goal in 2009 to apply for the Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA) Funding program as part of the San Carlos Apache Tribe Partnership Goals & Accomplishments. TANF received $85,000 from ADOT and was part of the bidding process for the Consultant. The first stage was setting up a stakeholders list.  The Kick-off meeting was held in August 2010.  The first Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting was September 14, 2010 at the Apache Gold conference center.

Apache Transit re-applied for and received the ADOT Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Funding.

San Carlos Flood Evacuation- January 21, 2010 Apache Transit assisted with the evacuation of the San Carlos Apache Tribe Reservation during a flood watch. Evacuation was announce and all 5 vans and 2 vehicles were running. The communities were evacuated to the San Carlos High School. Apache Transit drove 296.2 miles and evacuated 50+ community members throughout San Carlos.

ADOT Safford District and San Carlos Apache Tribe
In 2010, the district participated in the completion of two Roadway Safety Assessments (RSA), one for Bylas and one for Peridot.  They also provided coordination for the construction of a high speed entrance on US70 for the new hospital in Peridot, the construction of turn lanes on US70 in Cutter, and resumption of scoping for improvements on US70 in Bylas.  Additionally, they provided coordination for new school and business incubator for Bylas (congratulations to Tribe for Tiger Grant). These successful efforts were possible in part due to the establishment of the partnership and the perseverance of San Carlos Apache Tribe Transportation Planner, Barney Bigman.

The benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) were brought home recently to four members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.