Consultants working under the MAPS 4 program presented an update on the Central Oklahoma long-range transit plan and a public outreach schedule to the MAPS Citizens Advisory Board.

The plan, led by representatives from Kinley Horn with participation from embark, CityLink Edmond and Embark Norman, will focus on three questions over a 30-year horizon: what transit services should look like, when recommended elements should be implemented, and how to fund and phase those investments. Luke Schimann, a Kinley Horn planner, said the study builds on decades of transit planning across central Oklahoma and existing corridor studies led by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and local agencies.

The consultants described three project phases: an assess phase that identified baseline needs and priorities (now concluding), an evaluate phase to test scenarios and network alternatives, and a recommend phase that will produce service, facility and capital recommendations with program-level cost estimates. Schimann said the project team will perform peer review of other multi-operator systems to inform recommendations for coordinating service across operators.

Project goals presented to the board include providing meaningful community access to transit, creating a reliable and compelling rider experience, offering competitive service options to attract both transit-dependent and choice riders, and using resources effectively in a fiscally constrained environment. The consultants said resource projects already funded include the northwest rapid BRT, and that catalytic regional projects under consideration include an RTA north–south commuter rail corridor and Santa Fe depot improvements. Longer-term, unconstrained projects discussed for a 30-year horizon included the RTA airport corridor, east and west corridors, and potential streetcar extensions.

The consultants said public engagement will begin immediately with a project website (connectcentralok.com) and a virtual town hall scheduled for Jan. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The assess phase is expected to wrap at month-end before the team moves into scenario evaluation.

Board members asked for clarity on outreach and noted stakeholder engagement already completed; the presentation closed with no formal board vote required.

The MAPS Citizens Advisory Board received the presentation and did not take a formal action on the plan but asked for continued updates as the project progresses.