LATS setting public meetings to explain route changes

The City Transit Trust will hold a public hearing Feb. 11 to consider changes to the fixed routes of the Lawton Area Transit System (LATS), and to discuss the possibility of rebranding the system.

In addition to the public hearing, LATS will hold three public meetings to discus the proposed changes: 11 a.m. Jan. 22; and 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29. All three meetings will be held in Lawton City Hall, Southwest 9th and Southwest C Avenue.

LATS officials said the public hearings are designed to give residents ample opportunity to share their thoughts and provide feedback regarding the proposed changes to the fixed route transit system, as well as the potential rebranding of LATS. Officials have been discussing the idea of changes in fixed routes for months, to create routes that better serve public needs.

The public hearing by the City Transit Trust (a function of the City Council) will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 11. LATS will provide transportation for attendees of the hearing from the Downtown Transfer Center to City Hall at 5:45 p.m. Details are available by contacting the LATS office at (580) 248-5252.

Information regarding the proposed changes to the fixed route transit system also will be available at the City Clerk’s office at Lawton City Hall; the LATS office at 611 SW Bishop Rd.; and the LATS website, www.ridelats.com.

Public comment cards will be available for anyone wishing to submit comments by Feb. 7. The cards will be available at the LATS office during normal hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; and on all LATS buses from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Comments also may be submitted through the LATS website at www.ridelats.com.