Legislative Updates

From Jean Jones
DVR/DVS Legislative Information Representative

2010 ~ 2009 ~ 2008 ~ 2007

OKC Area Transit Changes Proposed
See below for fare increases that will impact clients and consumers.

Proposed Route and Service Modifications

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) hereby provides notice of Public Hearings in order to receive comments concerning proposed reductions of service on certain METRO Transit routes and proposed fare increases. METRO Transit is proposing reduced service and increased fares in order to meet budgetary reductions caused by a decline in municipal sales tax revenue.

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) will conduct Public Hearings to describe the proposed METRO Transit route and fare changes and to receive comments. These meetings are scheduled on or near bus routes so that opportunities for public comments are more convenient for citizens. Each meeting is planned to last 30-45 minutes and will feature the same information and public comment format. A list of meeting times and a description of the service and fare modifications is provided below, and are also available online at gometro.org.

A Public Hearing will occur at 4:00-4:45 pm on Wednesday, May 12 at the Downtown Ronald Norick Library, Friends of the Library Room. The Library is located at 300 Park Avenue (Hudson Avenue at Park Avenue), in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (3 blocks from the Downtown Transit Center).

A second Public Hearing will be from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm on Monday, May 17 at the Capitol Hill Library at 334 SW 26 Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (located near Routes 14, 20 and 40).

A third Public Hearing will be held from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm on Monday, May 24, 2010 at the Carousel Room on the south side of the main building at Metro Tech. METRO Tech is located at 1900 Springlake Drive in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ( located along Route 22).

Please notify COTPA at 235-7433 (TDD 297-2602) by 5 pm, on Thursday, May 6 if you require an interpreter or other disability accommodations at one of the meetings. Should you have questions or comments regarding these changes, please plan to attend the any of the three public hearings or submit written comments or questions about the proposed changes (accepted through May 19, 2010) by e-mail to gometro@okc.gov or by mail to:

METRO Transit
attn: 2010 Service Changes
300 SW 7 St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73109

The following details of the proposed service and fare changes are available online at gometro.org.

Proposed Service Reduction - METRO Transit Routes

Route 51 (Orange Line Trolley): Eliminate all service on Route 51 (Orange Line Trolley), which has one bus all day Wednesday through Saturday.

METRO Link: Elimination of Routes 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 (METRO Link). METRO Link is a reservation-based night and Sunday service.

Pilot Program Route 8 and 40: Elimination of ten peak hour roundtrips split between the two routes’ peak times that were added or modified in August, 2009. Routes will revert back to previous service schedules.

Effective Date of SERVICE Changes

Once the public comments have been received and reviewed, the service changes will be reconsidered and a final service change will be approved by the COTPA board. The final service changes will become effective August 1, 2010. Final changes will be posted at the Downtown Transit Center (NW 5 and Hudson) and online at gometro.org.

Proposed Cost Increase and Changes to Fares and Passes

A new fare structure is being proposed that includes a fare increase, elimination of free transfers, consolidation of regular/express fares and passes and the introduction of an unlimited-ride day pass and 7-day pass. As a result of the proposed changes METRO Transit will no longer provide free transfers so passengers without a day, week or monthly pass will pay a fare each time they board a bus.

Effective Date of FARE and PASS Changes

Once the public comments have been received and reviewed, the service changes will be reconsidered and a final fare and pass changes will be approved by the COTPA board. The final fare and pass changes will become effective August 1, 2010.Final changes will be posted at the Downtown Transit Center (NW 5 and Hudson) and online at gometro.org.