City's bus rapid transit gaining speed; December launch expected

Six new BRT buses have been purchased and delivered. Three more will be delivered in early fall. Each bus features upgraded seating, Wi-Fi and other amenities. Photo courtesy EMBARK

Oklahoma City is one step closer to having its first bus rapid transit (BRT) service.

Passenger platforms are being built; most of the 40-foot, natural gas-powered buses have been delivered; and bus drivers are being trained to operate those buses. The city is also in the process of hiring about 40 positions specifically for the new bus service, aptly named RAPID.

The BRT route will make traveling more convenient for residents living and working along the 9.5-mile route, which sports a $29 million price tag. It will be paid for through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant and matching dollars from the city.

When completed later this fall, the RAPID Northwest route will connect downtown OKC and the Lake Hefner area, providing residents access to various employers, commercial establishments and medical facilities located along Northwest Expressway and Classen. A local design firm indicated that the entire route comes within one half mile of 40,000 residents and 91,000 jobs, including those located at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital and Integris Baptist Medical Center.

City officials say there will most likely be an adjustment period for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and other users as they start sharing the roadway with RAPID buses, especially during peak driving times. The BRT system is still designed to get riders to their destinations quicker despite traffic congestion and will operate much like a rail system with fewer stops along a dedicated route.

So far, six of the nine new BRT buses purchased have already been delivered. Officials expect the remaining three will be delivered in early fall. The buses feature upgraded seating, Wi-Fi and other amenities.

Twenty-eight of the 32 boarding platforms for RAPID have now been built, according to EMBARK’s most recent update; the remaining platforms are under construction. The platforms feature level boarding, which should better accommodate passengers with walkers and strollers. The stops will feature other amenities, including covered and lighted shelters with benches, handrails and bike racks. Eighteen bus shelters have already been installed.

Riders will also be greeted with real-time arrival displays and ticket kiosks, where they will purchase their fares prior to boarding. They also have the option of purchasing rides straight from their smart phones.

Construction is currently underway on a park-and-ride surface parking lot at Northwest Expressway and Meridian Avenue that will boast 50 parking places.

The city is already looking to expand RAPID service sometime soon, with planned routes on the south side and in northeast OKC. The $61 million expansion project is part of the MAPS 4 capital improvement program Oklahoma City voters passed in December 2019.

Several public meetings and open houses have already been held in 2023 to solicit feedback from residents living or working in those areas of town. Officials hope to have the two routes determined by the end of the year.

For a detailed look at the RAPID Northwest route and its planned stops, visit EmbarkOK.com/BRT.

This article originally appeared in the August 2023 edition of VeloCity newsletter.