Oklahoma City council approve MAPS 4 EMBARK Bus Rapid Transit route

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The City of Oklahoma City council approved a 17-mile route in Northeast and South Oklahoma City on Tuesday for the MAPS 4 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

The route will serve in connecting communities and resources, and to expand fair options of mobility for residents.

The approved route by city council will support the BRT corridor by connecting the Adventure District in Northeast Oklahoma City to Southwest 89th Street and also South Portland Avenue located near the industrial logistics hub by the Amazon fulfillment facility.

The main community destinations and employment centers included are Metro Tech, Ralph Ellison Library, Automobile Alley, the Innovation District, Capitol Hill, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center and Oklahoma City Community College.

The route could be constructed in two phases and will include 26 stop locations, each with a Northbound and Southbound station. It is projected to serve up to 2,700 riders during the week and will connect to approximately 50,000 jobs.

"The recommendation was developed based on the input we received through community engagement and extensive analysis of the corridors,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. "Now that we have a locally preferred route, we can move forward with this project that will address the transportation needs of our residents and enhance connectivity across Oklahoma City.”

A combination of mixed traffic and dedicated lanes will be used along the BRT buses travel including business access and turn (BAT) lanes and center-running lanes.

BRT stations normally include the following amenities:

• Lighting
• Shelter
• Monumental signage
• Ticketing kiosks
• Real-time arrival information
• Level boarding
• Pylon with wayfinding
• Handrails
• Bike rack
• Bench
• Trash receptacle

The approved route was created based on feedback from residents across Oklahoma City. Information was gathered from 19 public events, 15 pop-up events, as well as online and map survey.

The main focus in resident feedback was the need for reliable service, having access to healthcare and educational facilities, connections to employers, service in key districts and neighborhoods, and support towards disadvantaged populations.

“Thanks to robust community input and the efforts of the consultant team, the consolidation of two previously separate corridors into a single 17-mile route allows for a significantly enhanced customer experience when both phases are operational,” Director for EMBARK Jason Ferbrache said. “Customers traveling from NE OKC to SW OKC will no longer need to transfer buses. The corridor integrates seamlessly with established areas of our community such as NE 23rd while introducing transit access to new areas of the city including SW 59th.”

The route will be Oklahoma City's second BRT route. Construction is expected to start in 2028.

To learn more about RAPID, visit embarkok.com.