COTPA Board of Trustees approves EMBARK service changes and implementation of city’s first BRT service

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) Board of Trustees have approved EMBARK service changes affecting all Oklahoma City bus routes and implementing the city’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) service in fall 2023.

The OKC Moves service changes will go into effect in conjunction with the rollout of EMBARK’s new RAPID service, a high-frequency BRT system that will transport thousands of residents and employees to major destinations through an enhanced rider experience using advanced technology and service models. The RAPID NW Line will connect the downtown area and northwest Oklahoma City along Classen Boulevard and Northwest Expressway.

“Over the last decade, we have worked with the COTPA board and City Council to dramatically improve and grow the transportation options available in our region,” said COPTA Assistant City Manager and EMBARK Administrator Jason Ferbrache. “With the launch of RAPID and the OKC Moves initiative, we’re on vision to becoming a region with world-class transportation accessible to all.”

Schedules for all Oklahoma City bus routes are being adjusted to improve the timing of transit service. Significant changes will also be made to several routes to improve efficiency, serve major destinations and integrate the RAPID NW Line into the region’s transit system.

The approved service changes include:

• Combining Route 003 and Route 005 to connect northeast and northwest Oklahoma City, with the new Route 003 linking destinations along the Memorial Road corridor like the Quail Springs area and Mercy Hospital. This also removes duplication of new RAPID service along Classen Boulevard currently served by Route 005.
• Extending Route 008 to Northwest Expressway and Council Road to connect customers with more shopping and housing opportunities in the far northwestern part of the city.
• Streamlining Route 024 to improve on-time performance, provide more daily trips and enhance transfer opportunities on the express service between Norman and Oklahoma City while continuing to serve major destinations like the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma City’s central business district. The route will operate every two hours between 5 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Launching RAPID NW, which will serve 32 platform stops along the Classen Boulevard and Northwest Expressway corridors, with buses arriving every 12 to 30 minutes, seven days a week.

As the region grows, EMBARK continues to improve its existing transit services while expanding the travel options within the community. The recent year long OKC Moves Bus Study evaluated the agency’s current operations and gathered significant community input from customers, bus operators, business leaders and community stakeholders. The study laid out short-term and long-term recommendations for maximizing the efficiency of Oklahoma City’s bus system and planning for future expansion.

The adopted service are short-term recommendations expected to be implemented within EMBARK’s existing budget. The long-term recommendations in the OKC Moves Bus Plan will guide the continued growth and enhancement of public transportation services. The city of Oklahoma City MAPS 4 program and EMBARK are currently planning for two additional RAPID BRT lines, and the Regional Transportation Authority of Oklahoma City is currently conducting planning studies for commuter rail and other rapid transit connecting Edmond, Norman and Oklahoma City.

Changes to EMBARK Norman bus service are also expected to launch in fall 2023 as part of the GoNorman Transit plan adopted by the city of Norman in December 2022.

A full summary and detailed information on the service changes is available at EMBARK’s website.