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Norman Regional’s Public Transportation Partnership

Norman Regional’s Public Transportation Partnership

Connecting Our Community to Care with EMBARK Plus

Access to health care doesn’t begin at the front door of our facilities. The access starts with the patient’s ability to physically get to our clinics, hospital and outpatient locations. Our partnership with EMBARK Plus, through the City of Norman, is expanding that access through the help of public transit by removing transportation barriers and ensuring patients can get the care they need, when they need it.

Make it to Your Doctors’ Appointments with EMBARK PLUS

The EMBARK Plus paratransit service provides approved applicants with shared-ride door-to-door public transportation services in a lift-equipped vehicle. Rides are provided to eligible individuals who are not physically or functionally able to use the traditional fixed-route bus service due to a disabling condition. Riders are typically those with a condition that makes walking to and from bus stops difficult or who make use of a mobility device.

The service complements the fixed-route EMBARK Norman transit system and ensures safe and dependable transportation to medical appointments and other essential destinations. Riders are provided with specialized accommodations that are not available on the typical fixed-route transportation, which plays a critical role in helping patients maintain independence and continuity of care.

RESOURCE: Norman EMBARK Plus Service Zone Map

Eligibility for EMBARK Plus

Potential riders must submit an application and eligibility determination prior to use. Eligibility classification for use is mandated by ADA regulations, ranging from conditional, unconditional, and temporary.

Part of the EMBARK Plus paratransit application includes a physician’s medical release. Riders can find application resources on the EMBARK website.

Scheduling a Ride with EMBARK Plus

EMBARK Plus allows approved riders to book rides ahead of time, accepting reservations between one and seven days in advance. Riders can call 405-235-PLUS (7587) to schedule.

Norman Regional’s Partnership with Norman’s EMBARK Plus

Norman Regional is a proud funding partner of the paratransit service, which is currently provided at no cost to eligible riders. In the last quarter of 2025 (October, November and December), the paratransit service provided 1,020 rides to Norman Regional patients, including 519 pick-ups and 501 drop-offs.

Patients were driven to and from Norman Regional locations including Norman Regional Hospital, Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Neurosciences, Norman Regional Nephrology, Norman Regional Nine, and more.

Taylor Johnson, AICP, Transit and Parking Program Manager at the City of Norman emphasizes the importance of the partnership. “The City is grateful to our local partners at Norman Regional Health System”, said Johnson. “We rely on many funding sources for Norman’s public transportation services. The funding from Norman Regional helps ensure that paratransit riders are able to access medical care in Norman.”

This partnership with EMBARK Plus helps reduce transportation challenges for patients who may not have access to a personal vehicle and cannot take the fixed-route bus routes, making it easier to attend appointments, receive follow-up care and stay connected to essential health services.

Visit the EMBARK PLUS Paratransit page on the EMBARK Norman website to access the service area zone map, service guide, the eligibility application for EMBARK Plus rides and more.

EMBARK Norman Fixed-Route Services Provide Access to Norman Regional Services

Another way patients and visitors have access to many Norman Regional services is through the reliable, fare-free fixed-route bus services through EMBARK Norman. These set bus routes operate multiple routes throughout Norman six days a week, connecting key destinations across the city, including many Norman Regional facilities.

To learn more about the bus routes, rules for riding, to view the system map, and to use the Plan a Trip feature to plan which routes you can take to your destination from your current location, visit the EMBARK Norman website. Below is a list of the established EMBARK Norman routes that will place patients at or near our various locations across Norman.

RESOURCES: EMBARK Norman Ride Guide & EMBARK Norman System Map

Route 110

This route serves along the Main Street/24th Ave. NW corridors. Stop B on route 110 gives riders access to Ortho Central’s locations within the Young Family Athletic Center. The locations accessible from stop C on route 110 are Norman Regional Hospital, and all clinics in the Heart Plaza, Northwest Executive Park, West Norman Professional Building and Women’s Healthcare Plaza.

Stops 4349 (outbound) and 4190 (inbound)

Stop 4354 - HealthPlex Parkway/Medical Park Drive

Stop 4355 - HealthPlex Parkway/RC Luttrell Drive

Stops 4458 - Porter Avenue/Hayes Street and 4422 - Porter Avenue/Johnson Street

To learn more about Norman’s transit bus operations and find more resources for the fixed route bus service, visit the City of Norman website.

Moving Forward, Together

Norman Regional’s partnership with EMBARK Plus reflects a commitment to community health. Transportation is a key player in health care access and quality within the social determinants of health. Improving access to healthcare can lead to better outcomes, fewer missed appointments and stronger connections between patients and physicians.

Norman Regional participating in partnerships like this help bridge gaps in healthcare for those in our community, ensuring that the care they receive from us is not only high-quality, but also accessible to all. By working alongside trusted partners like the City of Norman and EMBARK, Norman Regional is helping to create a more connected, accessible and healthier future for patients in our community.