Hello fellow Oklahoman (I assume)! We have one faster route that runs north/south in Tulsa, but it doesn’t go as far in structural differences as this (like the pre-pay required). Assuming we have...
Hello fellow Oklahoman (I assume)! We have one faster route that runs north/south in Tulsa, but it doesn’t go as far in structural differences as this (like the pre-pay required).
Assuming we have similar demographics on our bus systems, so you think this is an attempt to diversify or just to improve ridiculously slow service compared to some other metro areas across the country?
Probably both. I think the primary incentive is budgetary, because car-dominated infrastructure is ridiculously inefficient at transporting people and the ROI just isn't there for a new...
Probably both. I think the primary incentive is budgetary, because car-dominated infrastructure is ridiculously inefficient at transporting people and the ROI just isn't there for a new highway—never really was. But fundamentally, more transit lines and better infrastructure means a greater number of people will choose to transit instead of drive. This speeds up travel times (less traffic), reduces wear on the roads (less vehicle weight creating structural faults in the asphalt per capita), and improves public perception of the transit network (more ridership, more happiness). Fewer resurfaces makes the city treasurer very pleased.
In terms of demographics, the area near the lake is considerably wealthier than the other side of town. I couldn't say whether that was a motivation for this specific route being upgraded: maybe? Income/poverty is a factor that the agency would have considered, i.e. how many people rely on this route as opposed to take it voluntarily... so, if anything, you'd assume it would go the other way. However, I'd tend to think that the decision was based on potential increased ridership purely numerically more than specifically trying to diversify incomes/races on the network. The lake is a destination from downtown and vice versa, and the goal of the transit authority is for routes to be as self-funding as possible, so it makes sense to prioritize routes that people are likely to take.
There are likely also a number of pragmatic logistical reasons. If it's easy to build infrastructure along a particular route, for whatever reason, they're more likely to work on that one first. Easy win. Maybe something about the design of the existing bus stops and/or sidewalks and/or roads makes it easier for this route to be adapted. I couldn't tell ya though!
Tulsan here, but I've moved away. Where is this faster route? But yeah, the main obstacle is slower service (at least, IMO). A person shouldn't have to wait 40+ minutes for a bus.
Tulsan here, but I've moved away. Where is this faster route?
But yeah, the main obstacle is slower service (at least, IMO). A person shouldn't have to wait 40+ minutes for a bus.
Bus rapid transit is coming to Oklahoma City this fall through an EMBARK initiative. The new public transportation system will travel its route more frequently than existing Oklahoma City buses.
That’s because it has been built to prioritize faster travel. Stops have been constructed to be level with the buses, so riders will not have to step up to board. The buses will make fewer stops along the route. Riders will pay fares before boarding the bus, either on a mobile app or a kiosk. EMBARK also has plans to establish dedicated lanes for the buses to pull into to pick up passengers, and traffic signal prioritization that will allow them to pull out when other vehicles are not moving.
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The first rapid transit bus line in Oklahoma City is set to begin operating in fall of 2023. It will drive a nine-mile northwest route to connect downtown Oklahoma City and the Lake Hefner area.
The northwest route’s location was selected because 20% of Oklahoma City region jobs are located within a half-mile of the line's stops, according to EMBARK.
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Planning has also begun for two more bus rapid transit routes that will travel through northeast and south Oklahoma City.
The two new lines will move into the next stages of development in early 2024. MAPS 4 planners estimate that buses in the Northeast Corridor will begin operating in 2028 and the South Corridor in 2029.
I don't think that should be the main takeaway from that thread. If anything, the overwhelming majority of people seem to be in favor of exerpt comments. We may just need to come up with a better...
I don't think that should be the main takeaway from that thread. If anything, the overwhelming majority of people seem to be in favor of exerpt comments. We may just need to come up with a better system to accommodate them so they actually stay at the top. But turning every link into a text topic with the intended link in that text body is not the ideal solution or way to go about it, IMO.
I would be curious to see how many people take part once this is up and running. Making it faster would certainly help, and also making stops closer to where people actually live so you don't have...
I would be curious to see how many people take part once this is up and running. Making it faster would certainly help, and also making stops closer to where people actually live so you don't have to drive to a stop is also a great idea. I'm curious to see a route map, and the potential route maps for the two more planned ones. I'm too far out (I'm in OKC but close to Yukon/Mustang) but fully support making it easier for people to choose not to drive on a daily basis.
Somewhat related: I was going to Super Cao Nguyen the other day; it's been awhile since I've been over there, and they have finished putting in fully dedicated bike lanes along Classen and parts of Western. I like that the city is making strides to become less car-centric.
I believe this is the BRT Route Map the buses will be taking. I don't think the new routes have specific maps yet, but it would appear that they're broadly studying a "northeastern" route and a...
I believe this is the BRT Route Map the buses will be taking. I don't think the new routes have specific maps yet, but it would appear that they're broadly studying a "northeastern" route and a "southern" route.
I guess I didn't see the link to that in the article, thank you! I did see the mention of the northeastern and southern routes, and the scheduled open houses. I see there's a few "park and use"...
I guess I didn't see the link to that in the article, thank you! I did see the mention of the northeastern and southern routes, and the scheduled open houses.
I see there's a few "park and use" locations and I'm super curious to know how much these will be used here.
Hello fellow Oklahoman (I assume)! We have one faster route that runs north/south in Tulsa, but it doesn’t go as far in structural differences as this (like the pre-pay required).
Assuming we have similar demographics on our bus systems, so you think this is an attempt to diversify or just to improve ridiculously slow service compared to some other metro areas across the country?
Probably both. I think the primary incentive is budgetary, because car-dominated infrastructure is ridiculously inefficient at transporting people and the ROI just isn't there for a new highway—never really was. But fundamentally, more transit lines and better infrastructure means a greater number of people will choose to transit instead of drive. This speeds up travel times (less traffic), reduces wear on the roads (less vehicle weight creating structural faults in the asphalt per capita), and improves public perception of the transit network (more ridership, more happiness). Fewer resurfaces makes the city treasurer very pleased.
In terms of demographics, the area near the lake is considerably wealthier than the other side of town. I couldn't say whether that was a motivation for this specific route being upgraded: maybe? Income/poverty is a factor that the agency would have considered, i.e. how many people rely on this route as opposed to take it voluntarily... so, if anything, you'd assume it would go the other way. However, I'd tend to think that the decision was based on potential increased ridership purely numerically more than specifically trying to diversify incomes/races on the network. The lake is a destination from downtown and vice versa, and the goal of the transit authority is for routes to be as self-funding as possible, so it makes sense to prioritize routes that people are likely to take.
There are likely also a number of pragmatic logistical reasons. If it's easy to build infrastructure along a particular route, for whatever reason, they're more likely to work on that one first. Easy win. Maybe something about the design of the existing bus stops and/or sidewalks and/or roads makes it easier for this route to be adapted. I couldn't tell ya though!
Tulsan here, but I've moved away. Where is this faster route?
But yeah, the main obstacle is slower service (at least, IMO). A person shouldn't have to wait 40+ minutes for a bus.
It runs along Peoria from north of 244 down to where Peroria connects with Riverside, iirc. Called the AERO route.
Neat! That's a good place for it, I think.
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...
I don't think that should be the main takeaway from that thread. If anything, the overwhelming majority of people seem to be in favor of exerpt comments. We may just need to come up with a better system to accommodate them so they actually stay at the top. But turning every link into a text topic with the intended link in that text body is not the ideal solution or way to go about it, IMO.
I would be curious to see how many people take part once this is up and running. Making it faster would certainly help, and also making stops closer to where people actually live so you don't have to drive to a stop is also a great idea. I'm curious to see a route map, and the potential route maps for the two more planned ones. I'm too far out (I'm in OKC but close to Yukon/Mustang) but fully support making it easier for people to choose not to drive on a daily basis.
Somewhat related: I was going to Super Cao Nguyen the other day; it's been awhile since I've been over there, and they have finished putting in fully dedicated bike lanes along Classen and parts of Western. I like that the city is making strides to become less car-centric.
I believe this is the BRT Route Map the buses will be taking. I don't think the new routes have specific maps yet, but it would appear that they're broadly studying a "northeastern" route and a "southern" route.
I guess I didn't see the link to that in the article, thank you! I did see the mention of the northeastern and southern routes, and the scheduled open houses.
I see there's a few "park and use" locations and I'm super curious to know how much these will be used here.