What: Norman's transit system (Embark Norman, Embark Plus and Norman on Demand): ridership, vehicles, grants and the future of the Go Norman Transit Plan.
Where it stands: September Embark Norman ridership was 51,441 (47,643 a year earlier); Norman on Demand carried 1,984 riders (2,928 a year earlier). Staff are pursuing federal grants for regional paratransit, a bus technology upgrade and paratransit replacements.
Next: Staff may scope the cost of updating the Go Norman Transit Plan for next budget year and will send the current plan to all Council members.
Details
The Go Norman Transit Plan was adopted in June 2021 with major changes in October 2023; staff and members said it is time to revisit it, including how Norman on Demand fits with fixed route.
A member asked for a bus stop at a clinic on North Portland; a park-and-ride agreement with a private site owner was discussed but nothing is formal.
A member questioned subsidizing on-demand rides for able-bodied adults; staff said it fills late-night and Sunday gaps.
A possible future regional transit funding measure could affect the existing transit tax and plan.
Sources
YouTube auto-generated captions of the October 22, 2026 meeting; the transit reports themselves were not read.
Committee heard the September transit reports, grant applications and vehicle replacements, and discussed updating the transit plan, park and ride and the on-demand subsidy.