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Norman staff report ridership growth, on‑demand service gains and transit center security
Summary
City staff told the Community Planning and Transportation Committee on March 27 that February ridership rose year over year, Norman On Demand trips increased about 34%, four of six paratransit cutaways have arrived, and transit‑center security has reduced incidents during evening hours.
City of Norman staff presented the February public transit ridership report to the Community Planning and Transportation Committee on March 27, 2025, saying overall ridership has increased year over year while month‑to‑month growth showed signs of leveling.
Taylor, a city transit staff member, told the committee, “We have 4 of our 6 shuttle buses or cutaways for the paratransit unit, units show up yesterday.” Taylor said the new vehicles reduce the number of vehicles that have passed their useful life and improve fleet reliability.
Staff cited weather as a likely reason February growth was smaller than in recent months but noted year‑to‑date gains: “we are year to date 25.9% increase over the ridership from last this point last year's fiscal year,” Taylor said. Committee members also heard that fixed‑route Saturday ridership rose sharply; staff reported a 41% increase in Saturday fixed‑route boardings in February compared with the prior February, an increase of 1,111 rides.
The committee discussed Norman On Demand, the city’s on‑demand shared‑ride service. Taylor reported 4,012 On Demand rides in February 2025, up from 2,619 in February 2024 — an increase of about 34% — and said the service has provided roughly 31,000 rides since the start of the current fiscal year. Staff also said the on‑demand platform has created about 10,500 individual user accounts since August 16, 2023.
On fares and revenue, staff said farebox receipts have been small (under $10,000 in the last year) and that the University of Oklahoma contributed $121,000 toward the on‑demand program this year. Taylor characterized the full program budget figure discussed in the meeting as roughly $754,760 (stated verbally as “about 700,000? Yeah. 754, 7 hundred and 60”).
Committee members asked about possible fare changes and whether a higher flat fare would raise significant revenue. Taylor cautioned that modest fare increases are unlikely to cover program costs and could reduce demand: “I just don't want the expectation to be a $5 flat fare will raise $50,000.” Staff said fare adjustments are on the table for next year and that the city is working with the city manager and finance offices to reduce any general‑fund subsidy without cutting service.
Security at the transit center was discussed briefly. Taylor reported the center’s security presence (12 p.m. to 8 p.m. was referenced as an effective window) has been responding to incidents and helping de‑escalate situations until police arrive; staff said reports they receive indicate security has been on scene when incidents occurred.
The committee did not take formal action on the presentation. Members urged staff to continue monitoring ridership, revenue, and service levels and to return to council with proposed budgetary adjustments if reductions to service become necessary.
