Let's Talk Transit Discussion Continues

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority and the City of Oklahoma City have begun seeking citizen input through a series of public meetings and online forums to plan for enhanced public transit in downtown Oklahoma City.

COTPA launched www.LetsTalkTransit.com and hosted the first "Let's Talk Transit" public discussion on March 29 to collect input about the initial five-mile modern streetcar routes in downtown Oklahoma City. Together, the public and COTPA will work through the process to identify destinations and routes that will best serve downtown's public transportation needs. Included in MAPS 3, passed by Oklahoma City voters in December 2009, is approximately $130 million in funding for public transportation. The transit package includes approximately five miles of downtown streetcar.

Citizens can provide their input online or through a series of Let's Talk Transit public meetings. Meetings will be held:

April 29: Civic Center Hall of Mirrors - 201 N Walker (6 - 7:30 pm)
May 11: Civic Center Hall of Mirrors - 201 N Walker (6 - 7:30 pm)
May 27: City Hall - 200 N Walker (11:30 am - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 7:30 pm)
Over 100 community members participated in the first meetings. The next round of meetings will be more interactive, allowing participants to break into groups and offer input regarding possible routes.

"We're looking forward to the next round of meetings where citizens will be asked to draw potential routes," said Rick Cain, administrator of COTPA and director of public transportation and parking for the City of Oklahoma City. "We expect to get a lot of creative ideas and unique perspectives. With a limited number of track miles, it's important to look at all possibilities before determining the best route."

LetsTalkTransit.com will be the digital venue for participating in the discussion. Here visitors can catch-up on public meetings, learn more about the process, goals and objectives, give input through online surveys, submit questions to COTPA staff, or read and comment on the most recent TransitTALK guest blog postings.