Oklahoma City Begins Work on its First Bus Rapid Transit System

“A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the first bus rapid transit (BRT) project in the Oklahoma City region,” reports Mischa Wanek-Libman in Mass Transit. “The RAPID Northwest (NW) project will serve 32 stops and is expected to open in the fall of 2023.”

According to the article, “The 9.5-mile line promises faster and more frequent service sped by priority traffic signals planned for 38 intersections. More than 20 percent of the region’s jobs are located within a half-mile of the RAPID NW line, which will connect downtown Oklahoma City to Classen Boulevard and along Northwest Expressway to Meridian.” The line will have connections to existing fixed-route service, the OKC Streetcar, and the city’s Spokies bike share system.

“The $28.9 million RAPID NW is being funded in part by a $14.4 million U.S. Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Grant, as well as funds from OKC Public Works, Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust, Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration.”