Plush Ride For Public Transit

Tulsa area commuters who hope to see a rapid transit system in the city's future got a preview of what that may look like Friday morning. Tulsa Transit showed off a new 60-foot bus, that might one

Friday, July 20th 2007, 6:21 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa area commuters who hope to see a rapid transit system in the city's future got a preview of what that may look like Friday morning. Tulsa Transit showed off a new 60-foot bus, that might one day carry commuters from Broken Arrow to downtown Tulsa. Transit officials say the 60-BRT may be the answer to the rapid transit question and Broken Arrow commuters got a chance to ride that bus Friday morning.

North American Bus Industries brought the new bus to Tulsa so transit officials, community leaders and the public could get an idea of what the new bus looks and feels like. The 60-BRT costs about $850,000. The bus can seat more than 60-passengers and is designed to feel like a rail car.

Watch the video: Riding The Bus In Style

A feasibility study was completed earlier this year and the consultant hired to do the study said Tulsa could expand bus services, but should first consider a rail line to Broken Arrow because it would be more popular.

The startup cost for a train is at least $43-million, mainly to update the railroad crossings. The bus service would cost at least $22-million to make changes on the Broken Arrow Expressway.

Related stories:

2/22/2007 - Commuter Rail Study On Track

4/30/2007 - Tulsa Transit Considering A Commuter Train