LATS Transfer Center Site Selected

August 3, 2023

Caitlin Gatlin | Communications & Marketing Manager

A new site has been selected for future Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) facilities.

On Tuesday, July 25, Lawton City Councilmembers approved the new LATS transfer center site located between Railroad St. and Larrance Ave., from B Avenue south, just past D Avenue.

An environmental study of the land will hopefully begin in September, while Wendel Architects finalize the scope of work. The firm will design the transfer center and the maintenance and administration facilities.

“This new site has great potential, because there is plenty of room for the present needs of our transit system,” said Ward 6 Councilmember, Dr. Robert Weger. “It will occupy land the City owns so we will be able to grow and expand the transit system as the need arises without the concern or issue of not having enough land.”

City staff estimate at least 80% of the project will be funded through federal and state grants. The transit center will come at no additional cost to the citizens, the remainder of the project will be funded through previously allocated funds in the 2016 and 2019 CIPs.

“A new trolley system for moving riders around the downtown area will be one of the many new features of our new bus system and will make it the envy of Oklahoma,” said Ward 5 Councilmember, Alan Hampton.

Over the next 2-3 months, contractors will begin surveying the six-acre property. Construction isn’t expected to start until the beginning of 2025 when federal funds become available.

Moving forward, LATS has already begun looking at new initiatives to make the transit stem more efficient to include: the transition to alternative energy sources for the vehicles, new software to enhance the overall operation of LATS, and transitioning to a cashless fare system.