On-demand transit updates: City of Norman, Okla., MCT

On-demand transit service options have been updated by the city of Norman, Okla., and Madison County Transit (MCT) to better address transit needs in the community.

City of Norman

The city of Norman will be continuing its app-based public transit pilot program for another year, helping to fill transportation access gaps in the city since it first launched in August 2023.

Norman On-Demand works to provide access to safe, affordable public transportation during evening hours and on Sundays when other public transit options are limited. The program will also continue to power the University of Oklahoma’s SafeRide program, a program designed to provide safe and free late-night transportation to university students.

New riders will continue to get their first six trips for free. Free ride promotions are also available to those who refer friends.

MCT

To improve and enhance local transportation options, MCT has launched its first microtransit service, MCT Micro. The pilot program offers affordable on-demand rides in Collinsville, Ill., allowing riders to book trips on-demand from an app on a smartphone or via phone call and ride anywhere within a pre-determined zone. Each ride on MCT Micro is $1 and all valid MCT passes, tokens and Free Ride IDs will be accepted.  

Powered by technology from SpareLabs Inc. and operated (like all MCT services) by Agency for 
Community Transit (ACT), the MCT Micro service will utilize MCT’s smallest ADA-accessible buses and will be driven by ACT’s trained, drug-tested and background-checked drivers. All vehicles are equipped with video surveillance and bike racks.

Operating Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the agency will also include a Sunday service in Collinsville from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to fill a gap in weekend transportation. The service provides a level of accessibility previously unavailable on the #15 East Collinsville Shuttle or #21 West Collinsville Shuttle routes.  

“MCT is taking transit to the next level in Madison County,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “This innovative pilot program known as MCT Micro allows residents to hail an MCT vehicle in Collinsville via mobile app or with a quick phone call. I want to commend the MCT Board of Trustees for their foresight and the hard-working ACT team for implementing this exciting new service.”