First MAPS 4 bus stop improvements complete in northeast OKC

The first phase of MAPS 4 bus stop improvements is underway, with 34 of the 140 improvements in Phase 1 complete, marking a milestone in Oklahoma City’s efforts to modernize and expand public transit infrastructure. The new upgrades are now open for service in northeast Oklahoma City. In total, MAPS 4 will invest $11.2 million to improve approximately 500 bus stops citywide, with upgrades focusing on accessibility, comfort and safety for transit users, with the project’s first phase dedicating $4.3 million to enhance 140 high-priority bus stops based on daily ridership.

Key Improvements

- Shelter Upgrades: New shelters are being installed to protect riders from weather and excessive sunlight. The shelters come in standard eight-foot sizes, with select stops featuring larger 12-foot or 16-foot designs.

- Accessibility Enhancements: ADA-compliant improvements include paving, sidewalks, and ramps to ensure accessibility at every shelter.

- Seating and Lighting: Enhanced seating and LED lighting are being added to provide a safer, more comfortable waiting experience.

- Sustainability Features: Some shelters will include solar panels for cleaner energy, bicycle racks and trash receptacles.

“These improvements are a major step in transforming Oklahoma City’s public transit system,” said David Todd, MAPS Program Manager. “With more accessible shelters and upgraded amenities, we’re creating a better experience for riders and encouraging more people to use public transit.”

Phase 1 has already completed upgrades at key locations along NE 23rd Street, NE 13th Street and Martin Luther King Avenue. You can find a complete list of the upgraded stops here.

While this is a big step, there’s still work to be done; once Phase I is complete in early 2025, more than half of EMBARK’s 1,300 stops will feature ADA-accessible shelters. These upgrades are part of a broader $97 million investment in MAPS 4 transit projects, which include a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, additional buses, traffic signal prioritization and long-range transportation planning.

About MAPS 4

MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax, projected to raise $1.07 billion over eight years. Approved by voters in December 2019, MAPS 4 focuses on neighborhood and human needs, quality of life and job-creating initiatives. Learn more about MAPS 4 transit projects at embarkok.com/maps4 or okc.gov/maps4.