Bus Transit Service Changes

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 new services occurred on October 16, 2023. 

New Route Network - Effective Monday Oct. 16, 2023 from the New Norman Transit Center

Map of fixed route bus service as of October 2023 New Route Network - Effective Monday Oct. 16, 2023 from the New Norman Transit Center

For an interactive map showing which bus stops have been discontinued and the new stops along the new routes, follow the link below

INTERACTIVE MAP - NEW ROUTES - NEW & RETIRED BUS STOPS

For the digital version of the Ride Guide booklet showing routes, stops, and times; follow the link below:

2023 Embark Norman Ride Guide

The new 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 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.

These routes went into effect on October 16, 2023.

New Norman Transit Center - 320 E Comanche St. - Located at the corner of Porter/Comanche

A view of the Noman Transit Center from the east showing a blue marquee sign with the City of Norman Logo the text "Transit Center" and the EMBARK Norman logo

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 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The opening of the Norman Transit Center was aligned with the transition to the new routes which started operations from the Transit Center as of Monday October 16, 2023.

The new route network includes a bus stop on route 111 (east Lindsey/Alameda) that is near the Brooks St. Transfer Station location, where routes previously met as the transfer hub. The new Norman Transit Center has replaced the Brooks St. Transfer Station as the transfer hub for City of Norman operated bus routes. 

 

The Norman Transit Center is 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