Embark Releases 2024 Customer Satisfaction Survey Results
EMBARK recently released findings from the 2024 Transit Rider Survey; over 2,000 responses were compiled among Oklahoma City Fixed Route bus, RAPID NW and OKC Streetcar customers, as well as riders in Norman, to yield findings in rider satisfaction, frequency of use, preferences and demographic information.
Conducted in Spring 2024 by ETC Institute, a market research firm specializing in gathering survey data for public transit systems, the Transit Rider Survey was shared last month with the Oklahoma City Council and the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA). Read More.
Oklahoma Mobility Institute Awarded $10,000 Grant Toward Services for Older Adults
Oklahoma Mobility Institute (OMI) has successfully secured a a Services for Older Adults Community Grant through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. The $10,000 award Senior Transportation Services to Support Independent Living and Wellness project. Read More.
Will Rogers Airport Access
The Will Rogers World Airport requires all providers of vehicle transport to have a Ground Service Agreement with the airports that authorizes them to enter and conduct their business on airport property. Without this agreement on file, the security team will ask them providers to leave the area. Transit providers who need to access the drop off/pick up line for passengers at the airport for a Ground Service Agreement should contact the Landside Operations team at 405-316-3220 or email LandsideOps@okc.gov.
Oklahoma Icon, TRUST Leader Neal McCaleb Passes Away
We are saddened to learn of the passing of TRUST president and former Secretary of Transportation (1987-1991,1995-2001), ODOT Executive Director (1995-2001) and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Executive Director (1995-2001) Neal McCaleb at age 89. McCaleb, of Edmond and a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, also served as a state representative (1974-1982) where he served as minority leader and as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs from 2011-2003 during the administration of former President George W. Bush. He also ran as a Republican for governor in 1982 and lieutenant governor in 1990.
A civil engineer by trade and McCaleb was considered to be an expert in interstate highway and bridge design. McCaleb served as a private sector consultant and advisor as well as volunteering his time and expertise for 19 years as president of TRUST. He was well respected at the state Capitol on both sides of the aisle and in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his wife, Georgeann, three children and 13 grandchildren. A memorial service will be January 16 at 2pm at Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond. OkTA extends our deepest condolences to the entire McCaleb family.
Oklahoma Legislature Announces Transportation Chairs
Senate Pro Tem-Elect Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, announced the full list of committee assignments for the Oklahoma Senate for the upcoming 60th Legislature that begins in February.
Senate General Government and Transportation:
Senator Tom Woods, R-Westville, Chair Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, Vice Chair • Senator Avery Frix, R-Muskogee • Senator Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby • Senator Lisa Standridge, R-Norman • Senator Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa
Read More
House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert announced the following appointments to committees for the 60th Legislature:
A&B Transportation Subcommittee: Chair – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond; Vice Chair – Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore o Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City o Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston o Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Yukon o Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant o Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah o Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman o Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman
Read More
RAPID NW celebrates first anniversary in OKC, marking key transit milestone
As Oklahoma City continues to grow, expanding public transportation infrastructure is becoming more important. RAPID NW, the region’s first bus rapid transit service, marked its first anniversary and is already playing a key role in meeting the city’s growing transit needs. Serving more than 450,000 riders in its first year, RAPID NW is designed to connect major areas of the city, including workplaces, shopping centers, medical facilities, and entertainment spots.
Read More.
OKC hopes for a rapid rise in public transit and is already working on expanding the current infrastructure.
For the past year, a fleet of charcoal-colored buses have zipped along much of Classen Boulevard and Northwest Expressway as part of Oklahoma City’s first bus rapid transit line. Using some bus-only lanes and traffic signal prioritization, the new bus line is meant to somewhat mimic a subway or streetcar.
Fares are paid before boarding, each bus uses a dedicated entry and exit door that is level with bus stop platforms, and frequencies are sometimes as low as every 12 minutes, making a missed bus a small annoyance with just a short wait for the next one.
Read More.
Interactive Safety Map Launched for Forward45 Transportation Plan
The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO) proudly announces the launch of its Safety Assessment Digital Map Survey, an interactive online tool designed to pinpoint safety concerns on a regional map.
This initiative is a key component of SORTPO’s Forward 45 Regional Transportation Plan, specifically focusing on the safety chapter. The survey allows individuals to provide location-specific feedback for future safety projects. Insights gathered through this process will assist in identifying projects eligible for federal grants such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant.
Survey Details
• Start Date: January 2, 2025
• End Date: February 28, 2025
• Purpose: To gather public input on transportation safety concerns and improvement ideas.
SORTPO invites residents, business owners, and stakeholders across Southwest Oklahoma to participate. Understanding safety concerns on our transportation network is vital to the Forward 45 plan and implementation. Your feedback is critical.
Access the Safety Assessment Digital Map Survey at: https://tinyurl.com/sortposafetymap or scan the QR code.
MAPS 4
The first MAPS 4 bus stop improvements are complete and open for service in northeast Oklahoma City. Phase 1 of the project includes $4.3 million to improve 140 bus stops across the city that were deemed the highest priority based on daily ridership.
In total, MAPS 4 includes $11.2 million to improve approximately 500 bus stops.
- Shelter upgrades: Many bus stops will be equipped with upgraded shelters to protect customers from weather and excessive sunlight, offering commuters a protected waiting area. The new bus shelters will be the standard eight-foot shelter size or upgraded to 12 feet or 16 feet.
- Accessibility enhancements and paving flatwork: Paving improvements will increase ADA accessibility at all shelters in the first phase, including the installation of sidewalks and ramps at select stops.
- Seating and lighting: New seating will be installed, and all shelters in the first phase will receive new lighting.
Improvements include new, ADA-accessible shelters featuring covered areas for weather protection, LED security lighting, trash cans, solar panels for cleaner energy and bicycle racks. Read More.
Long Range Transit Plan for Central Oklahoma
The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), along with additional regional stakeholders, are conducting a Long Range Transit Plan (LRTP) for Central Oklahoma. The plan will consider modifications to local transit services in response to planned high-capacity regional transit investments.
The LRTP will also consider additional investments to facilities, transfer points, and transit infrastructure to improve regional mobility and consolidate previous planning efforts. The outcome of the LRTP will be an implementation plan for transit in the region.
Join us here for a Virtual Town Hall on January 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Read More.
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