Projecting 10 years into the future, the Go Norman Transit Plan identified many recommendations for transit improvements in Norman. Including additional frequency, Sunday service, expanded service coverage, and expanded hours on weekdays and Saturdays, these recommendations were put into phases to help guide the City in making improvements strategically as funding becomes available. The first phase of recommended improvements is to revamp the current route network to better serve existing areas within or near the existing budget.
On September 27, 2022 City Council unanimously approved and acknowledged a Public Participation Process for service changes as identified in the Go Norman Transit Plan.A Public Comment Period was held between October 30, 2022 through November 21, 2022, and the feedback received was compiled in a report to the City of Norman Council. On December 13, 2022, the City of Norman Council passed a resolution approving the changes and authorizing staff to move forward with implementation. The transition to the planned services will occur October 16, 2023. Updates will be made available on this page as they are available.
Current Route Network to be Retired- Last Service on These Routes will be Saturday October 14, 2023
Current Route Network to be Retired- Last Service on These Routes will be Sat. Oct. 14, 2023
The route network being replaced uses a loop system where each route follows a single direction along a circular route before returning to the same origin. This style of bus route can reach further geographically but in doing so increases the time before a bus stops in the same area.
New Planned Route Network - Effective Monday Oct. 16, 2023 from the New Norman Transit Center
New Planned Route Network - Effective Monday Oct. 16, 2023 from the New Norman Transit Center
For an interactive map showing which bus stops will be discontinued and the new stops along the new routes, follow the link below
INTERACTIVE MAP - NEW ROUTES - NEW & RETIRED BUS STOPS
The new planned route network uses a bidirectional system where each route follows a single direction outward and then returns along the same line effectively doubling the stops made along the route and decreasing the time before a bus stops in the same area. This helps to cut down the time a rider has to wait for the bus.
Additionally, this planned route network is designed to also accommodate future service expansions, when funding allows, to reach destinations further north, east, and southeast of where buses have gone previously or currently.
New Norman Transit Center - 320 E Comanche St. - Located at the corner of Porter/Comanche
The City of Norman purchased property at 320 E Comanche St. in downtown Norman in April of 2022. Following months of planning and preparations, construction began in March of 2023 to remodel the former drive through bank into Norman's first City Transit Center and is expected to be completed in early October. Staff are working hard to align the opening of the Norman Transit Center with the transition to the Planned Route Network and the installation/renovation of bus stops along the new routes. A ribbon cutting event is planned for October 12, 2023 and the new routes will operate from the Transit Center as of Monday October 16, 2023.
The Planned Route Network will still include a bus stop near the Brooks St. Transfer Station location, where routes previously met as the transfer hub. The new Norman Transit Center will replace the Brooks St. Transfer Station as the transfer hub for City of Norman operated bus routes.
The Norman Transit Center will be an indoor facility with the following amenities:
EXTERIOR:
- Bus Bays
- ADA Compliant Site Circulation
- Benches
- Shelters
- Trash Cans
INTERIOR:
- Public and Staff Restrooms
- Public Indoor Waiting Area
- Public Water Fountain (With Bottle Fill Option)
- Public Vending Machines
- Staff Breakroom/Workspace
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & COMMENT PERIOD: 10/30/2022 - 11/21/2022 (Completed)
In compliance with the Public Participation Plan which is an appendix of the City's Transit Title VI Program, the City of Norman completed a series of three public meetings as well as a public comment period to collect feedback on these route changes while they were being proposed. Official public comments were collected between October 30, 2022 and November 21, 2022 and were added to the official public hearing record which was reported to the City of Norman Council.
Regardless of comment periods on specific projects, Transit and Parking staff always welcomes public questions and comments on our work by phone at 405-307-7219 and by email at transit@normanok.gov.
Three public meetings were held on various days and times to review the proposed route changes, then receive comments and answer questions. These meetings were held at the date, time , and location shown below without issue:
- The first meeting occurred virtually via Zoom on November 15 from noon to 1 p.m.
- The second meeting occurred on November 16 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Central Norman Public Library, 103 W. Acres Street, in the Oklahoma Redbud room.
- And the third and final meeting occurred on November 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 201 W. Gray Street, in the Council Chambers.
The Public Comment Period has closed, and the feedback received was submitted as a report to the City of Norman Council. All official comments and sign-in sheets are subject to open records requests. Based on input gathered during the public comment period (October 30, 2022 - November 21, 2022), the City of Norman Council approved these changes on December 13, 2022. These transit service modifications are planned for implementation through 2023 with completion anticipated in October 2023.
A copy of the public engagement summary report submitted to City of Norman Council can be viewed by following the link below.
Public Engagement Summary Report: Proposed Summer 2023 Transit Service Changes
A copy of the presentation about the proposed service changes can be reviewed by following the link below.
2023 Service Change Slide Deck