New Service Keeps Tulsans Getting Around Downtown In 'The Loop'

The Tulsa Trolley is retiring, but a new public transit circulator will soon take its place.

If you're going out downtown, you can walk, but most people like to drive, and soon there will be a new driving service offered to anyone until 2:00 in the morning.

The Loop will circle downtown and make stops at the BOK, the Blue Dome, Brady Arts and Deco districts.

Tulsa Downtown Trolley Map

It's new public transit for downtown, so new we can't show you what it looks like until next week.

Brady Arts President, Bob Fleischman said it will be a great way for people to get around downtown.

"Park in one spot, hop the trolley, go get a cocktail or a coffee, sit on a terrace, then go find dinner somewhere,” he said, “get back on it, maybe go somewhere else for a late night band performance or DJ and then head back to your car."

The Loop will replace the Tulsa Trolley and for 25 cents, or for free with a receipt from a downtown merchant, you can take it through downtown, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

It circles every 20 minutes.

Fleischman said The Loop will be like a big party bus, but fit for families.

"It's not unusual to see families lined up, waiting to get on the trolley, waiting to take the ride. We'll see that that's just going to be enhanced further. There will be more room," he said.

Tulsa Transit

Room for up to 40 people; and Tulsa residents like Andrew Romine, are already looking forward to it.

“I mean, I spend a lot of time downtown, I would use it,” he said. “Yeah, it's a pretty clever idea."

Afton Crow and Kim Willbourn think it would make Tulsa nightlife safer.

"Oh yeah, I think it would definitely cut down on drinking and driving," they said. “Wrong-way drivers. That would definitely be helpful."

There's a chance that, if The Loop is successful, the service will expand to weekdays, better connecting the districts during the week.

Fleischman said, "We felt it was very important to make the connection through all of downtown."

The Loop launches September 4th.

The Loop is a private and public partnership. The City of Tulsa is paying to operate it, which costs $50,000 a year.

Once it's up and running, you will even be able to track The Loop through downtown on your phone.