The overall purpose of the project is to build a new transfer center and maintenance and administration center on city-owned property to support a new route concept

The City of Lawton received a Formula Grant award of $217,408 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526), effective August 21, 2025, with a completion date of December 29, 2028. This funding supports Phase 1 of a multi-phase project to construct a new multimodal transfer center located on city-owned property at SW Railroad Street on Lawton's west side. The transfer center will function as the central hub for the Lawton Area Transit System (LATS), serving 8-10 transit buses while accommodating on-demand and inter-city bus services.

The transfer center facility will include operational and passenger amenities such as transit dispatch office space, ticket counters for both local and regional bus pass sales, passenger waiting areas, public restrooms, and a driver break room. The project incorporates dedicated parking for LATS employees and passenger drop-off/pick-up areas, along with necessary utility and roadway improvements to ensure adequate facility access. This grant represents one of seven total funding sources financing the overall construction project. The multimodal facility is designed to comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing transit center design and is expected to serve the citizens of Lawton through enhanced public transportation infrastructure.

Activities

Construction of transfer center. This grant will be used to cover a portion of the construction of the transfer center. In total there will be 7 grants used for this project.

Expected outcomes

The multimodal transfer building will include office space for transit dispatch a ticket counter for the sale of bus passes for the lawton area transit system as well as the sale of tickets for a regional bus service a passenger waiting area restrooms and a break room for the bus drivers. The transfer center will serve as the hub for 8-10 transit buses and spaces for on-demand and inter-city buses with sufficient parking. Additionally there will be a parking area for lawton area transit system (lats) employees of the multimodal transfer center as well as for vehicles dropping off and picking up passengers for the regional bus service. The design will incorporate required utilities and roadway improvements that may be necessary to facilitate adequate access. The facility will meet local state and federal regulations governing multimodal transfer center design.

Intended beneficiaries

The citizens of the city of lawton