Norman needs more bus routes and the routes need to run more frequently, according to the final version of the Norman transportation need assessment study released Tuesday.
The study was completed by KA Associates of Kansas City, Mo., and prepared for the City of Norman and OU over the last 5 months.
The steering committee, made up of leaders of social service organizations, city business leaders and OU staff, interviewed several OU student organizations and current bus riders.
The committee also surveyed more than 600 Norman citizens to get some understanding of the state of the public transportation around the metro area.
Theta Dempsey, director of OU parking and transportation services, said it is the first study to her knowledge that quantifies some of the transportation needs of the OU and Norman community.
"I don't think anyone would say that every unmet transportation need was identified here, but certainly the community had the opportunity through the community meeting to identify their needs," said Dempsey, who was co-project coordinator of the study. "It gives us a starting point to see what we can do, and it quantifies what the cost of making improvements would likely be."
Dempsey said the next step will be for a subcommittee of city council members appointed by Mayor Ron Henderson to act on the study's recommendations.
hello there & you too