Comments are sought about Citylink bus stops

EDMOND — The anticipated cost to install more than 100 designated Citylink bus stops has increased because of repairs needed to make sidewalks wheelchairaccessible near some stops.

The initial cost was $230,000, but city officials expect to spend the entire budget of $400,000, said Harry Fenton, a project engineer with the city’s engineering development.

Edmond Citylink offers a paratransit service to pick up people with disabilities within threefourths of a mile of a fixed route.

Public Transit Coordinator Susan Miller said people with disabilities also are using the regular service instead of the paratransit service. Each bus on the regular route can hold two wheelchairs.

“We will carry as many wheelchairs on our fixed route as on our paratransit, if not more. We know that it’s out there, the need’s out there, to have everything ADA,” she said, referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Shelters will be installed at some stops. The current budget will not afford shelters for all stops, but city officials are planning to seek additional funding.

“We want to put as many shelters in as we can,” Fenton said.

Signs that are 7 feet tall will indicate the stops for the six existing routes. A “wave-down method,” in which buses will stop anywhere a person is waiting, is currently used by the city.

Using designated stops is expected to aid traffic flow and be safer for passengers. All stops are expected to be installed by the end of August or early September.

Miller is accepting comments until Friday by phone, email and mail. She can be reached at 359-4694 or susan. miller@edmondok.com.

Comments can be mailed to Miller at the Edmond Planning and Public Works Division, 10 S Littler, P.O. Box 2970, Edmond, OK 73083-2970.

Comments received by Miller and those expressed at two public hearings will be presented to the Edmond Public Transportation Committee.

Maps of the proposed bus stop locations can be found at CitylinkEdmond. com.