I like this map, and hopefully they'll incorporate more stops as time progresses. Maybe stops at Rockwell/Reno, Meridian/Reno, Rose State College, 15th/Sooner, and 19th street in Moore for starters.

If its a hit, extend a rail out towards Piedmont in vicinity of Northwest Expressway and hopefully a rail towards the Zoo/Women's College World Series.

Commuter rail is not going to “build their own thing.” You have absolutely no clue what the f@ck you’re talking about and clearly have never seen how these things work in real cities. No one is responding to you because it’s not worth it. There is no need to turn an immediate profit and you honestly believe that the people planning this aren’t aware of operating costs? Sit and bitch about it all you want but if you live in Midwest City it isn’t your problem. Public transit is comical in OKC and is something that is extremely embarrassing when people that come visit from actual cosmopolitan cities. It’s mentality like yours that has led OKC to be an absolute joke of a city.

Thankfully the tide is starting to change and OKC is moving up. These lines will be built and more than likely will use BNSF tracks just like Amtrak does. Railways need to be nationalized anyways. Mass transit is built for the purpose of the greater good. If you think numbers need to be shown to turn a profit than let’s talk about tolling every freeway in the metro that’s subsidized by the federal government.

Ok bud....sure thing. Come back in 5 years and prove me wrong. It's been almost 15 so far.

OKC should have another round of MAPS and put in for a light rail I don't believe a commuter rail would be very efficient in OKC, expanding bus routes with more frequent stops would be better in my opinion. Seattle has a commuter rail and it's ridership for the N line was only 3.400 a week last year which is just over 3/4's of million for the year and the light rail had over 25 million in 2019.

I'm sure 2021 was higher it has gone up every year except 2020 obviously.

OKC could utilize all the medians for light rail like it did back in the day for streetcars, just a thought.

Or just expand the streetcar system in place.

OKC doesn't even have a carpool lane and doesn't need one...yet

Seattle's link light rail has almost as many riders as all of Dallas's DART system

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_light_rail_systems_by_riders hip


Portland's MAX is what every city should follow, it is insanely efficient.

Ok bud....sure thing. Come back in 5 years and prove me wrong. It's been almost 15 so far.
I never once said they have their sh!t together but I’ll come back to you in 2030 and revisit this. We’ll see.

Actually, OKC does have the history. Too bad most of this age fail to realize OKC was a city back in 1889, before the vehicle age.
We have a history that began in 1889, as an instant tent city, on the prairie. The day before there was nothing, but the Railroad. The city ripped out the trolleys, and interurban routes around 1950. So we have had rubber wheel transport for over half of our ‘history’. There never was any sort of commuter rail other than the interurban, the steam rails weren’t t interested. And the downtown became an empty place due to suburbia, white flight, and shopping centers until MAPS. All developed on wide open spaces, and personal transportation in one’s automobile. Those are the facts, I wish we could have trains, trolleys or commuter rails. If the RTA negotiates some trains on the BNSF, they will be run by Herzog, or some other contractors, not BNSF crews, but no matter. Look at Rail Runner between Belen and Santa Fe. Mainly to ferry workers to the Capitol, from Albuquerque, plus anyone who wants to use it. No freight traffic at all north of Albuquerque, just one Amtrak each way daily, that’s it. Maybe two trains each way Belen to Albuquerque. OKC is on a relatively busy class I railroad, with zero history of commuter trains. Zero. If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. And there’s nothing bad about talking or trying to get OKC to a better place, I’m fine with that, Lord knows it could be a heck of a lot better.

Ok bud....sure thing. Come back in 5 years and prove me wrong. It's been almost 15 so far.
btw, sorry if I was harsh in my response. I should have been a little kinder. I’m just saying I think they will get this thing going and it will be on BNSF tracks but I agree with you they’ve been dragging their feet.

OKC had an interurban network that we'd likely classify as commuter rail in today's terms, since it brought in people from the suburbs into downtown.

The streetcars were awesome. It's such an incredible loss that we dont have them anymore. I wish we would have been able to hold out against that decision. Can you imagine how different the city would be today if the street cars had never left?

I say this as a 40 something that never saw them. But heard stories from grandparents. But think NOLA and what an awesome thing that is and could have stayed being here.

The streetcars were and are horrible. I’m sure at one time they served their purpose but that’s over and done. There’s this thing called a bus that can achieve the exact same thing and get this, they don’t have to stop and wait if someone is blocking the tracks because guess what, there’s incredible thing called a rubber wheel that isn’t limited to a track.

Subways, elevated trains, HSR, and commuter rail are awesome. It’s a very good thing the streetcars were ripped and the myth that it is simply due to automobile companies buying them out conveniently leaves out they were going into bankruptcy and/or bleeding money.

I've heard a lot of people make that argument. The developers like the static rail so the route doesn't move and then they suddenly aren't on the "line" anymore. When it's static line, residential and commercial properties know that the line isn't going anywhere and can use that as a selling point. And the buyers/customers know it too. So they may be more likely to lease an apartment on the line and go to the stores on the line as well. If it's a bus, yes the route has flexibility, but that means it's flexible and can move, uprooting that whole thing. Imagine being the resident without a car that suddenly finds the route gone from near their home and no car.

This whole thread is talking about putting a streetcar back. Call it commuter rail, but it's not much different. No, it doesn't go on the streets and won't have to wait on the cars, but any modern use of the street car has controls in place to work around that very issue. NOLA is a good example of that...it mixes dedicate line spaces with curbside street stops. Dedicate middle of the road segregated space and traffic lighting on Canal St (which is an insane street if you've never been there, so props to whomever planned that thing out and how to make it all work), and then crossing over to the curb in other areas. Just saying, it can be done, and done well. Cars or no cars.

Anyone else feel like the (probable) new arena is going to drive a stake through the heart of this whole endeavor? This PLUS a near billion dollar bond issue seems wildly out of reach for Oklahoma City.

I've heard a lot of people make that argument. The developers like the static rail so the route doesn't move and then they suddenly aren't on the "line" anymore. When it's static line, residential and commercial properties know that the line isn't going anywhere and can use that as a selling point. And the buyers/customers know it too. So they may be more likely to lease an apartment on the line and go to the stores on the line as well. If it's a bus, yes the route has flexibility, but that means it's flexible and can move, uprooting that whole thing. Imagine being the resident without a car that suddenly finds the route gone from near their home and no car.

This whole thread is talking about putting a streetcar back. Call it commuter rail, but it's not much different. No, it doesn't go on the streets and won't have to wait on the cars, but any modern use of the street car has controls in place to work around that very issue. NOLA is a good example of that...it mixes dedicate line spaces with curbside street stops. Dedicate middle of the road segregated space and traffic lighting on Canal St (which is an insane street if you've never been there, so props to whomever planned that thing out and how to make it all work), and then crossing over to the curb in other areas. Just saying, it can be done, and done well. Cars or no cars.

What are you going on about? Do you mean a light rail? WTF is a static rail?

What are you going on about? Do you mean a light rail? WTF is a static rail?

Maybe relax a bit? Bomber wasn't referring to a type of rail called a static rail, they weren't making the point that rail tracks are static (fixed) which helps developers and investors feel confident it won't be moving elsewhere in the longer term. Compare that to a bus, as bomber did, which can theoretically change it's route with little to no warning.

Anyone else feel like the (probable) new arena is going to drive a stake through the heart of this whole endeavor? This PLUS a near billion dollar bond issue seems wildly out of reach for Oklahoma City.

Yep.

RTA Leaders Meet with Top American Transit System Officials in Salt Lake City (https://rtaok.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220805_RTA-Officials-Meet-with-Top-American-Regional-Transit-Systems.pdf)

RTA Brings New Ideas from Salt Lake City (https://online.flippingbook.com/view/288918125/11/)

OETA: Steve Shaw Discusses Regional Rail Transit with RTA Leaders (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1252547508851492&ref=sharing)

Stadler Rail FLIRT DMU for DART's New Silverline (https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/fdart0420e_us.pdf)

The way that OETA news story came off, they're looking at passing a referendum within the not so distant future.

I have no doubt that if we miss the federal dollars on this that we will not see any significant development in regional transit until the 40s or 50s. Really hope this picks up some momentum over the next 6 m months and a vote is announced for 2023.

I’m really not convinced this will pass. I hope to be wrong. I don’t think the political willpower is there in such a polarized political setting in a red state.

I just don’t feel good about the timing of this. This should have been done 5 years ago.

I DO think they need to get at the front of the ask-line because of all the things coming down the pike... Arena, 2027 GO bond, MAPS 5, Oops-we-still-can-pay-for-the-jail-give-us-more-money, etc

https://nondoc.com/2023/05/02/rta-commuter-rail-proposal-oklahoma-city-edmond-norman/

Looks like this will be on a ballot come 2024 for Edmond, OKC and Norman. This will be interesting to see how much sales tax they want for this. Also mentioned in the article is it took about 6 years to build a similar project in Salt Lake City. That is actually faster than I thought.

Great news! Good to hear of some progress and especially BNSF willingness to work with the RTA.

A rail line from Edmond - OKC to Norman on football game days would be amazing. Make the roads a lot safer and cut down on that crazy traffic.

A rail line from Edmond - OKC to Norman on football game days would be amazing. Make the roads a lot safer and cut down on that crazy traffic.

How many home game though ? 6 a year ? A bit light but I like the idea of Edmond . DT OKC DT Norman line.

How many home game though ? 6 a year ? A bit light but I like the idea of Edmond . DT OKC DT Norman line.

6 a year. With the move to the SEC it is only going to be busier. A rail line from the airport is also a no brainer.

I was at the Edmond Railyard not too long ago and thought to myself, "How cool would it be to take a train to downtown OKC from here and vice versa?"

Hope this all comes to fruition. An Edmond/OKC/Norman line would be great.

A rail line from Edmond - OKC to Norman on football game days would be amazing. Make the roads a lot safer and cut down on that crazy traffic.

A rail line will have almost 0 impact on existing traffic for those that still choose to drive. Rail systems are deemed a failure because the reduced traffic never materializes so selling rail as a traffic reduction tool is a non-starter. Rail is to traffic as aspirin is to a headache - it only relieves the pain of the person taking it.

A rail line will have almost 0 impact on existing traffic for those that still choose to drive. Rail systems are deemed a failure because the reduced traffic never materializes so selling rail as a traffic reduction tool is a non-starter. Rail is to traffic as aspirin is to a headache - it only relieves the pain of the person taking it.

I generally agree with this statement, however specifically on game days it would help. If you had multiple park and ride stops along the rail line to a certain point (this point being a stop within walking distance to the OU football stadium) it would be beneficial. For example going to OU/Texas games, the DART rail is jam packed all the way down and sure, while there are plenty of people driving vehicles, the riders in the rail cars are not. Question is, would the cost be worth it for OU football games? I think it'd be used big time for these. However, you wouldn't build a commuter rail line just for this.

Other than that, I certainly agree. The majority of people in Oklahoma love their big gas guzzling vehicles and many would rather sit in them comfortably in traffic listening to the Sports Animal, their favorite podcast, or their favorite music, decompressing alone before getting home instead of sitting around other people.

But hey, why not put it up to the vote of the people.

It may be an uneducated thought, but wonder if the city does any significant-scale surveying across demographics on exactly what the citizens would like to see in OKC? I think it would be interesting to see a well-publicized and consistent program brought out that consistently polls people on their thoughts and priorities on a city web site. It wouldn't be a vote or a referendum but just an idea of public opinion on various subjects.

It may be an uneducated thought, but wonder if the city does any significant-scale surveying across demographics on exactly what the citizens would like to see in OKC? I think it would be interesting to see a well-publicized and consistent program brought out that consistently polls people on their thoughts and priorities on a city web site. It wouldn't be a vote or a referendum but just an idea of public opinion on various subjects.

They do a citizen survey every year (https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4252/18), in addition to many other smaller scale surveys.

The majority of people in Oklahoma love their big gas guzzling vehicles and many would rather sit in them comfortably in traffic listening to the Sports Animal, their favorite podcast, or their favorite music, decompressing alone before getting home instead of sitting around other people.

But hey, why not put it up to the vote of the people.

How does anyone know what they prefer if they don't have any options to pick from?

https://nondoc.com/2023/05/02/rta-commuter-rail-proposal-oklahoma-city-edmond-norman/

Looks like this will be on a ballot come 2024 for Edmond, OKC and Norman. This will be interesting to see how much sales tax they want for this. Also mentioned in the article is it took about 6 years to build a similar project in Salt Lake City. That is actually faster than I thought.


Edmond

North Edmond Station
Downtown Edmond Station


Oklahoma City

John Kilpatrick Turnpike Station
63rd Street Station
North OKC Station
Santa Fe Depot
29th Street Station


Norman

Tecumseh Road Station
Downtown Norman Station
OU Special Event Station
South Norman Station



These are the stations they proposed. Most are pretty self explanatory, but do we know where the "North OKC" and "South Norman" stations would be?

The majority of people in Oklahoma love their big gas guzzling vehicles and many would rather sit in them comfortably in traffic listening to the Sports Animal, their favorite podcast, or their favorite music, decompressing alone before getting home instead of sitting around other people.

Based on some of our other traffic / driving conversations, I'm not convinced all of them are successfully "decompressing" during their commutes. lol

It's so funny to me how the conversations immediately pivot to "OU Football" as if that is the only thing worth thinking about. How about all the people that commute every day up and down I-35? How about all the people that pay $50 to park or Uber to the airport? How about all the people that work at Tinker AFB and in the industrial areas to the west and southwest? How about the dozens of Thunder games and concerts and events that happen downtown?

OKC seriously needs to plan for transit of this type. It is well-past time.

These are the stations they proposed. Most are pretty self explanatory, but do we know where the "North OKC" and "South Norman" stations would be?

South Norman is proposed to be either at Cedar Lane or near the Buffalo Wild Wings on Highway 9

It's so funny to me how the conversations immediately pivot to "OU Football" as if that is the only thing worth thinking about. How about all the people that commute every day up and down I-35? How about all the people that pay $50 to park or Uber to the airport? How about all the people that work at Tinker AFB and in the industrial areas to the west and southwest? How about the dozens of Thunder games and concerts and events that happen downtown?

I think the football games kind of represent max potential usage at a given time. I don't think there is anything else where 85k people are going to the same place at the same time in OK on a predictable schedule. And it may be the only time a lot of people in the metro actually experience heavy freeway congestion due to traffic flowing to a single destination.

Obviously, I-35 experiences slow downs at certain points on a day to day basis. But they're not all going to the same place. I assume that downtown has the highest density of daily workers and this (https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/clientuploads/pdf/downtown.pdf) says there are 55,000 workers downtown. That looks to be about a 2015 number and a lot has changed since then, but if that number is still the same, that would be about 7% of the workforce. I have no idea what part of that number commutes along the Norman / Edmond I-35 corridor or what percentage of that would it make sense to use the train.

I think OKC has always had a decentralized work force amongst a very low density landscape. That's always kept comprehensive rail service from gaining traction. I think to successfully sell this to voters, the RTA will need to show it serving a need, that there will be justifiable demand, and that it's scalable in service and economics to meet that demand in a cost effective way, at least compared to, say, adding 60 miles of new freeway lanes every so often to meet that demand.

In a way, the OU football game service is a selling point, or value add, that people can wrap their heads around, while the system would mostly be built to serve all of the other needs you outlined in your post.


OKC seriously needs to plan for transit of this type. It is well-past time.

I totally agree. Any competitive city needs a mix of transportation options and this is a good way to leverage current assets to develop another commute option in the OKC metro. Honestly, I think the biggest thing the cities involved will need to address is the "last mile" part of the equation. If the access points require most potential users to still drive to those points, because there's no other option, how much with that affect real demand?

South Norman is proposed to be either at Cedar Lane or near the Buffalo Wild Wings on Highway 9

Potential corporate sponsorship???

BDP, I want to thank you for a very good, well-thought-out response.

I agree about the "last mile" problem. This will be a particular problem when you realize that a huge portion of the metro area lives northwest and they effectively have no entry point into the system as imagined. People aren't going to drive from the Deer Creek area or the PC North/PC Central area to one of these lines. If they have to drive half way to their destination to get to a train stop, they are just going to drive all the way. Big problem with any city in the middle of the country.

Are people forgetting about 41 home games a year for the Thunder? I, personally, know an least a dozen people who drive in from Edmond for every game. I would guess this would drop at Santa Fe and people would walk to the arena from there. I know traffic isn't as bad as OU games, but there are a lot more of them.

I think the football games kind of represent max potential usage at a given time. I don't think there is anything else where 85k people are going to the same place at the same time in OK on a predictable schedule. And it may be the only time a lot of people in the metro actually experience heavy freeway congestion due to traffic flowing to a single destination.

Obviously, I-35 experiences slow downs at certain points on a day to day basis. But they're not all going to the same place. I assume that downtown has the highest density of daily workers and this (https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/clientuploads/pdf/downtown.pdf) says there are 55,000 workers downtown. That looks to be about a 2015 number and a lot has changed since then, but if that number is still the same, that would be about 7% of the workforce. I have no idea what part of that number commutes along the Norman / Edmond I-35 corridor or what percentage of that would it make sense to use the train.

I think OKC has always had a decentralized work force amongst a very low density landscape. That's always kept comprehensive rail service from gaining traction. I think to successfully sell this to voters, the RTA will need to show it serving a need, that there will be justifiable demand, and that it's scalable in service and economics to meet that demand in a cost effective way, at least compared to, say, adding 60 miles of new freeway lanes every so often to meet that demand.

In a way, the OU football game service is a selling point, or value add, that people can wrap their heads around, while the system would mostly be build to serve all of the other needs you outlined in your post.



I totally agree. Any competitive city needs a mix of transportation options and this is a good way to leverage current assets to develop another commute option in the OKC metro. Honestly, I think the biggest thing the cities involved will need to address is the "last mile" part of the equation. If the access points require most potential users to still drive to those points, because there's no other option, how much with that affect real demand?

The last mile part of the equation is already starting to be addressed in multiple locations already. You have fairly dense housing/amenities/employment/entertainment clusters already popping up in areas that would be prime locations for commuter rail stops. It seems to be something the market is pushing for regardless of a yes or no vote on commuter rail.

An eventual commuter rail between these locations would plug in pretty easily to these existing areas and help spur even more dense development.

These are the stations they proposed. Most are pretty self explanatory, but do we know where the "North OKC" and "South Norman" stations would be?

No stop at 240?! Otherwise it's 12 miles from 29th to Tecumseh. I get not stopping in Moore, but 12 miles is a lot that probably misses out on an easier link to some sort of Tinker to Rail bus connection.

Crossroads mall would be the perfect stop for a park and ride location. There's also a track that splits off right there and goes directly into Tinker.

are they going to double track all of it as part of this process? because i can already hear people saying they will never use it again, if they get on a train that has to stop for 15 minutes while another train passes.

Are people forgetting about 41 home games a year for the Thunder? I, personally, know an least a dozen people who drive in from Edmond for every game. I would guess this would drop at Santa Fe and people would walk to the arena from there. I know traffic isn't as bad as OU games, but there are a lot more of them.

stlokc mentioned them and it's certainly part of the equation, but I don't know if it's enough to convince voters. I'm just guessing, though.

How many of your Edmond friends can / would walk to the proposed stations? Or do you think they would drive / park and ride? I know that's anecdotal, but just curious what you think?

Just to be clear, I'm not in any way trying to run down the idea of commuter rail in OKC. I'm just trying to imagine what it would really look like for most potentials users. And, ultimately, I think as a commuter oriented solution, I think it ultimately has to work for daily commuters, right?

The last mile part of the equation is already starting to be addressed in multiple locations already. You have fairly dense housing/amenities/employment/entertainment clusters already popping up in areas that would be prime locations for commuter rail stops.

It would be interesting to see what the population and work force is within a mile radius for each of the proposed stops. I imagine that's the farthest most would walk to catch a train every day, right?

stlokc mentioned them and it's certainly part of the equation, but I don't know if it's enough to convince voters. I'm just guessing, though.

How many of your Edmond friends can / would walk to the proposed stations? Or do you think they would drive / park and ride? I know that's anecdotal, but just curious what you think?

Just to be clear, I'm not in any way trying to run down the idea of commuter rail in OKC. I'm just trying to imagine what it would really look like for most potentials users. And, ultimately, I think as a commuter oriented solution, I think it ultimately has to work for daily commuters, right?

I understand where you are coming from and appreciate the honest questions. A lot of people can get heated on this board over stuff like this.

Honestly, none of them. But, I could see some ubering to a park and ride, taking the train, drinking at the arena, train back and ubering home. I know people who have ubered from downtown to almost Guthrie, so I could see that becoming an option.

To other people's points, taking mass transit needs to be more beneficial than driving their car. Years ago, I worked at 63rd and NW Expressway and lived at NW 23rd and May. My car had to be in the shop and I was trying to figure out how I could get to work via mass transit. It turns out, it would have taken me over an hour to get five miles because the only route out to NW expressway originated downtown so I would have to take a bus downtown and transfer out to NW bound bus. I am guessing things have changed since that time and it's more efficient (maybe not), but the point still stands that there has to be some sort of benefit to riding the train.

Let's be honest, we are no NYC, Chicago, London, Paris, etc who all have very extensive mass transit systems due to the need and density. I think our city needs a better mass transit system, but I am not sure people will vote for it.

It would be interesting to see what the population and work force is within a mile radius for each of the proposed stops. I imagine that's the farthest most would walk to catch a train every day, right?

It is not a number that is where it needs to be right now, but that number is steadily increasing independently of commuter rail discussion. That is a promising sign in my view. These areas are setting themselves up incredibly well to reap massive benefits if/when the commuter rail does end up happening down the road.

This is why I think it is important for the commuter rail to focus on connecting dense, dynamic areas to each other and discard the thought of making a bunch of park and rides. designing public transit you have to drive to is setting the entire thing up for failure.

I understand where you are coming from and appreciate the honest questions. A lot of people can get heated on this board over stuff like this.

I appreciate the discussion and that's why I wanted to be clear I'm not adverse to the concept. lol

I'd love to see it happen, but I'd love to see it work even more. When these things don't pan out, it can actually set it back decades.


Honestly, none of them. But, I could see some ubering to a park and ride, taking the train, drinking at the arena, train back and ubering home. I know people who have ubered from downtown to almost Guthrie, so I could see that becoming an option.

Yeah. There are definitely a lot of benefits to taking a train to go out. Parking and safety not the least among them and I can definitely see the uber/ train working for that. I'd probably do it, especially if we're talking Fri / Sat night. That also would mean it would have to be well managed to accommodate those inconsistent surges in demand. Demand would probably not justify running the trains beyond 10pm most weeknights.

It is not a number that is where it needs to be right now, but that number is steadily increasing independently of commuter rail discussion. That is a promising sign in my view. These areas are setting themselves up incredibly well to reap massive benefits if/when the commuter rail does end up happening down the road.

This is why I think it is important for the commuter rail to focus on connecting dense, dynamic areas to each other and discard the thought of making a bunch of park and rides. designing public transit you have to drive to is setting the entire thing up for failure.

Good points.

And a good plan with that focus may actually help development happen in the meantime in such a way that makes the service more successful at launch.

This is going to be a commuter train - taking people to work in the morning and home after work. It isn't going to be a late-night or weekend party train. For comparison sakes here is Sunrail's schedule in Orlando (no late evening or weekend service)

https://sunrail.com/schedules/northbound/

why are they only considering sales tax, why not do a mix? Property tax is the biggest bang for the buck without impacting most, gas tax is obvious since it's about time the "transportation" department dedicated funds to pax rail, and they could add a RTD assessment to vehicle tabs.

I'd recommend the following breakout:

1) 0.05% sales tax, with an initial 0.5% sales tax for capital expenditure (stations, trains, mtc bldg)
2) 10 cents per gallon as the primary operations fund
3) some level of property tax (not really sure what to recommend, but something to get funding with minimal impact)
4) $3.50 license tab fee, $5.00 plate fee, $50.00 OKC Commuter Rail special plate
5) the state contribute funds for rail enhancement/purchast along the route(s)

This model would be the least impactful to citizens but provide the most benefit of funds. Also, we wouldn't need to wait for a MAPS style sales tax collection to get things moving. Just need to political will and savvy to spread the "burden".

I'd also do similar if I were OKC with regard to the streetcar (try to use/get alternates to JUST maps sales tax). I could also see/recommend a Norman Sooner streetcar system to be built using a funding mix, particularly the OU campus to downtown.

This is going to be a commuter train - taking people to work in the morning and home after work. It isn't going to be a late-night or weekend party train. For comparison sakes here is Sunrail's schedule in Orlando (no late evening or weekend service)

https://sunrail.com/schedules/northbound/

You're correct, but OKC could run trains as often as they want. Chicago runs theirs all day/night. Here in Seattle, its Commuter weekday but also during Seahawks games.

I could see OKC doing a sort of hybrid Commuter Rail schedule which not only focused on rush hours but also on special events (OU football, OKC Thunder games, OKC festivals/events). Get the most use out of it that makes sense.

As I mentioned in another thread, having Commuter Rail will be especially useful if/when they replace the I-35 Crossroads of America bridges.

I understand where you are coming from and appreciate the honest questions. A lot of people can get heated on this board over stuff like this.

Honestly, none of them. But, I could see some ubering to a park and ride, taking the train, drinking at the arena, train back and ubering home. I know people who have ubered from downtown to almost Guthrie, so I could see that becoming an option.

t.

You just pinpointed why OKC's transit system is a disaster being propped up. Instead of having ONLY downtown to destination routes the city should have more crosstowns to allow for transfers. Going to/from downtown just to go 5 miles away is very small town struggling type of bus system not something a 1.5million metro should have. EMBARK (and OKC transportation planners in general) needs to think like a big city and stop "just getting by".

They're building "brt" which is really a crosstown route with elevated platforms. Not saying we shouldn't do BRT but a real one would go down the middle of the boulevard and have station platforms (also in the middle unless unfeasible); that way, the RAPID part could be achieved. OKC should be building normal routes like its doing the "brt", running them along major corridors then turn around the other way unless the corridor runs into downtown.

I recommened they add more crosstowns (without downtown terminus) to add to the existing routing during a recent survey. Let's see if they agree or keep adding more to/from downtown and continue to get low ratings on transit viability.

Not entirely the trains they’re most likely are going to use a mix between light rail and commuter trains.
They will run at a much higher frequency (every 15-30 minutes) and we have a higher top speed then commuter trains
The interior of the trains is more like a commuter rail
The tinker line will likely be dedicated BRT that can be upgraded to light rail in the future

I can certainly appreciate all the enthusiasm but the reality is for the first 3 years OKC commuter rail will probably run 2 (maybe 3) inbound from Norman/Edmond in the morning and 2 (maybe 3) outbound trains in the evening. I wouldn't get hopes up for weekend, Game trains, or any trains after 6:30pm.

I can certainly appreciate all the enthusiasm but the reality is for the first 3 years OKC commuter rail will probably run 2 (maybe 3) inbound from Norman/Edmond in the morning and 2 (maybe 3) outbound trains in the evening. I wouldn't get hopes up for weekend, Game trains, or any trains after 6:30pm.
Is this schedule part of the proposal, or just speculation?

... Chicago runs theirs all day/night....

Actually, they don't, at least they didn't use to run Metra trains after about midnight on all lines back when I lived there. Was a pain for some late concerts since I worked downtown and lived in the west suburbs and used the BNSF line to commute - had to get back home by train, then drive out to the concert so we could make it back after the last train had left Union Station.

It would be interesting to see what the population and work force is within a mile radius for each of the proposed stops. I imagine that's the farthest most would walk to catch a train every day, right?

:lol2::lol2::lol2: A mile is being waaaaaaaay generous, I'd expect a few blocks at most for most OKCitians.

Is this schedule part of the proposal, or just speculation?

Educated speculation on my part. You would be hard pressed to find commuter rail systems that run outside business hours, especially at start-up.

I can certainly appreciate all the enthusiasm but the reality is for the first 3 years OKC commuter rail will probably run 2 (maybe 3) inbound from Norman/Edmond in the morning and 2 (maybe 3) outbound trains in the evening. I wouldn't get hopes up for weekend, Game trains, or any trains after 6:30pm.

Yeah. I mean I can’t see the logic in running the train multiple times for 6 days out of the year that might be able to cover a sizable chunk of the operating expenses for the entire year. Why would the metro transit authority overseeing it and currently clawing for funding ever even consider such a thing?

What other cities are you basing that on? Do any of them have a situation in which a large percentage of 80k-100k people travel along the exact corridor that a commuter rail line services (and cause massive traffic jams) for 6 days per year? Assuming they use the same line, ROW or at least follow the same path as the BNSF line…the thing could even drop all of those people off under half a mile from the stadium. Would almost be fiscally irresponsible not to consider that as an option.

Yeah. I mean I can’t see the logic in running the train multiple times for 6 days out of the year that might be able to cover a sizable chunk of the operating expenses for the entire year. Why would the metro transit authority overseeing it and currently clawing for funding ever even consider such a thing?

What other cities are you basing that on? Do any of them have a situation in which a large percentage of 80k-100k people travel along the exact corridor that a commuter rail line services (and cause massive traffic jams) for 6 days per year? Assuming they use the same line, ROW or at least follow the same path as the BNSF line…the thing could even drop all of those people off under half a mile from the stadium. Would almost be fiscally irresponsible not to consider that as an option.

Isn't a proposed stop in Norman literally listed as the "OU Special Event" stop?