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COPTA cuts midday service on Route 24, reinstates Route 19 for one year
Summary
The board adopted a resolution reducing midday service on Route 24 (keeping peak commuter trips) and agreed to reinstate Route 19 for one year while staff and Oklahoma County seek a longer-term funding source.
The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority on June 16 adopted a resolution to reduce midday service on Route 24 while maintaining morning and evening commuter runs; the board also restored Route 19 for a one‑year reinstatement for fiscal year 2026 while staff pursue additional funding.
Under the adopted service change, Route 24 will continue commuter trips in the morning and evening and remove midday runs. Staff said the Route 24 schedule will run roughly 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and they clarified that an earlier outbound trip leaving the transit center at about 5:48 or 5:50 a.m. will remain part of the commuter service. “We…decided to continue providing service for Route 19 for the fiscal year ’26 as we work toward trying to identify a possible additional funding source for Route 19, working with Oklahoma County. However…for Route 24, we are moving forward with the reduction of service,” said Jesse, Director.
Why it matters: Staff said they held several community meetings and received public feedback—most comments favored keeping Route 19—and the board’s decisions are tied to a broader budget reduction the agency is managing. Trustees discussed whether the Route 24 midday service could be restored later if local sales tax revenues improve; a trustee said restoring midday Route 24 would be a priority if revenues allow.
Board action: The board moved and seconded the resolution to reduce Route 24 service and passed the motion. The reinstatement of Route 19 was described as a one‑time, one‑year action; staff said Oklahoma County funds 50 percent of Route 19 and that they will work with the county to identify funding for future years.
Operational details and public comment: Staff said outreach included a public meeting during a board meeting and that one person attended the public hearing about Route 24. Trustees thanked staff for the outreach and signaled interest in revisiting service levels if future funding improves. The board recorded the resolution’s adoption on June 16; staff will return with updates if funding or ridership conditions change.
