COPTA reports: Hall Pass growth, State Fair service changes and proactive garage repairs

Staff presented program and operations reports on Sept. 5, describing growth in the Hall Pass youth transit program, service changes for the Oklahoma State Fair and preventive repairs to downtown parking garages.

Public affairs staff said the Hall Pass youth program, open to residents 18 and under, saw large outreach during the back-to-school period and recorded an increase of roughly 300 new applicants after a concentrated media and community effort. The campaign included appearances at schools and community events, 34 media mentions with an estimated audience reach of about 2.8 million and earned public-relations value cited by staff.

Business development reported results from the agency—s half-price bulk pass sale: sales via the mobile app and the transit center generated $21,000 and $38,000 respectively, and bulk pass sales—while still significant—fell about $20,000 short of last year—s $196,000 figure. Staff said they expect another sale in December to try to close the gap.

Armando, public affairs staff, outlined special service planned for the Oklahoma State Fair (Sept. 11–21): Route 9 and Route 38 will be extended past 7 p.m. and modified to drop off and pick up at Gate 3. On senior day, Wednesday, Sept. 17, COPTA will run a shuttle from Hurricane Harbor to Gate 3 to provide an easier, accessible transfer for older attendees.

Parking services staff provided a detailed update on garage repairs. Corey described ongoing work and preventive measures including caulking, concrete spall removal, rebar cleaning and grout replacement. He said crews are injecting epoxy through small tubes, sealing and patching areas to prevent water intrusion and freeze–thaw damage. In one project at the Sheraton Walker garage crews discovered failed post-tension cables and a cut post-tension cable during work; staff said they caught the cut early, are repairing it and have identified three additional failed cables that will require further change orders.

Corey said the goal is to prevent small repairs from becoming far more expensive repairs later. "The garages are completely healthy and safe," he said, while noting additional work will follow as crews identify and remediate aging components.

Staff also reported on river cruise and streetcar revenues for July: fare revenue reporting was adjusted to combine fare box and fare media sales into a single line; the report showed $253,000 in July with an additional $94,000 received but not recognized at the time the report was run, leaving an adjusted July total of about $347,000. Event parking revenue for July was $196,000, down about $66,000 from the prior year because large special events from the prior year did not recur.

Upcoming community events and service notes staff highlighted included the First Americans Museum Landing ribbon-cutting scheduled the following Monday, Thunder game day shuttle service beginning Oct. 21 (with preseason games before then), and a community health fair Oct. 23 at the Transit Center offering vaccinations and other services.

Staff said they will provide further updates at the December presentation on downtown December promotions and other seasonal service adjustments.