Driving Change: The Modus Story

Every movement starts with an idea. For Modus, that idea was simple yet powerful: transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity. What began as a spark in 2015 has since grown into a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to helping Tulsans get where they need to go—safely, reliably, and with dignity.

Here’s how we got here, and why the work matters more than ever.

2015: The Mine

It all started in Tulsa’s entrepreneurial incubator, The Mine. A group of fellows was tasked with solving one of our city’s biggest challenges: youth transportation. They listened to young people, families, and service agencies and discovered the ripple effects of unreliable transit: missed doctor’s appointments, skipped classes, and lost opportunities.

2016: Innovation Grant

The idea had promise, and the Tulsa Area United Way agreed. With the support of an Innovation Grant, the team began shaping a new kind of transportation program—one designed not for profit, but for people.

2017: The Pilot

Partnering with Youth Services of Tulsa and the Tulsa Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Modus launched a one-year pilot. The mission: provide safe, consistent rides and measure the difference.

The results were undeniable:

• Students showed up for school and activities that would otherwise have been out of reach.

• Young people made it to vital medical appointments.

• Families gained peace of mind knowing transportation was no longer a daily struggle.

2018: Program Launch!

With the pilot’s success, Modus began to scale. Partnerships with more Tulsa agencies expanded service to hundreds of youth and families. Each ride represented more than a trip, it was access to education, healthcare, and opportunity.

2019: Becoming a 501(c)(3)

Modus took its biggest step yet by applying to become an independent 501(c)(3). By Fall 2019, what started in an incubator became a nonprofit positioned to drive systemic change in Tulsa.

Why Access Matters: Healthcare

Transportation is the third leading barrier to accessing healthcare in the U.S., behind cost and insurance. Roughly 5.8 million people miss or delay medical appointments each year because they simply can’t get there. Without a reliable way to travel, chronic illnesses worsen and ER visits rise, particularly in low-income and rural communities.

Why Access Matters: Education

Reliable rides are just as essential in the classroom. Students who miss more than 10% of school days are 7x more likely to drop out. In New York City, free transit passes alone boosted graduation rates by 1.5%. For Tulsa’s young people, showing up is the first step toward breaking cycles of poverty.

Why Access Matters: Employment

Nearly 60% of transit riders use it to get to work, but for many Tulsans, the bus system isn’t enough. A Harvard study found that commute time is the single strongest factor in predicting whether a person can escape poverty. By bridging the gap, Modus helps people arrive at job interviews, training programs, and workplaces, on time, every time. .

Why Access Matters: Economic Opportunity

The economics are clear: households that rely on transit save an average of $10,000 annually compared to car ownership. And every $1 invested in transportation generates $4 in economic returns through local jobs and spending. Access isn’t just a social issue—it’s an economic one that strengthens the entire community. You can learn more about our Equity Indicators in Tulsa here.

Looking Ahead

From an idea in 2015 to a nonprofit today, Modus has always been driven by one belief: access changes everything.

• Access to school means more graduates.

• Access to healthcare means healthier families.

• Access to jobs means stronger communities.
  

Every Modus ride is more than transportation, it’s a bridge to opportunity, a step toward equity, and an investment in Tulsa’s future. If you're ready to be part of the movement, join the Modus Pit Crew, our monthly giving program that makes access sustainable. Visit ModusPitCrew.org to sign up today!