Meetings Begin about MAPS 3 Transit Plans

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The first of six public meetings for a MAPS 3 project have kicked off.

Oklahoma City citizens are speaking their minds about a MAPS 3 project. The penny sales tax to fund MAPS 3 starts in two days and city officials want the public's input on the streetcar project.

City council chambers in city hall will open up to the public in a chance for them to learn about the streetcars and voice where they want it to run. City leaders took questions from the public about the streetcar project.

Oklahoma City is following the footsteps of other cities that already have this type of public transportation. The modern streetcar is one of the voter approved MAPS 3 projects.

Oklahoma City's version will run downtown, but where it will start and stop is up for discussion.

"For the next couple of weeks prior to April 13, which is the next planned meeting, we will keep track of where the destinations are that the public is asking us to serve," Oklahoma City Public Transportation Director Rick Cain said.

The public will connect the dots. That's why one man got in on the first streetcar meeting.

"I want all the information I can on how people will get to where I hope to open up a business," John Bates said.

The streetcar will run five miles, so connecting popular destinations like Bricktown are essential. The city also wants input from the people who are downtown every day.

"Trying to focus on the downtown worker; just what are the buildings we need to make connections," Cain said.

And some people wanted to know about stops in other parts of the city and the metro. That will not happen at first, but transportation officials are studying ways to grow the system and expand routes.

The modern streetcar is funded through the MAPS 3 penny sales tax that begins April 1.

Learn More: Let's Talk Transit - A Community Discussion on Oklahoma City's Modern Streetcar and Alternatives Analysis