Streetcar and bus services free on third Friday of the month from April through September

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City area residents and visitors can enjoy free rides on EMBARK’s fixed-route bus, the OKC Streetcar and zone 1 paratransit services in recognition of Earth Day and on select Fridays from April through September. The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority, EMBARK’s governing board, recently authorized free rides on the third Friday of the month starting on Friday, April 19. EMBARK will also recognize Earth Day on Friday, April 19th, offering free bus and streetcar rides.

“Our 3rd Friday program is expanding with the addition of the OKC Streetcar this year,” said EMBARK director Jason Ferbrache. “By offering free rides over the course of several months, it gives us more opportunities to empower residents to participate in improving the environment through using public transit, and to make the conscious choice to use public transportation.”

In a 2017 survey, more than 40 percent of non-riders said they were not familiar with EMBARK services near their home. Scheduling free rides during ozone season, which typically runs from May through September, gives EMBARK more opportunities to promote the sustainability of public transportation, as well as opportunities to educate residents on services that are often just minutes away.

EMBARK offers 19 bus routes throughout the greater Oklahoma City area, many of which operate seven days a week. Paratransit complements the existing transit system by providing transportation to people who are unable to utilize local bus service due to a medically documented physical or cognitive disability. Seven streetcars serve the Bricktown, City Center, Automobile Alley, Midtown and Arts District areas, with seven-day service recently approved for the OKC Streetcar.

“EMBARK’s routes connect people to many entertainment and family-friendly venues, as well as busy shopping and business districts across Oklahoma City. We hope residents will take this opportunity to try EMBARK so they can see how easy it can be to use public transportation to explore the city, to get to work or the doctor, or run errands,” said Ferbrache.

Residents and visitors will be able to utilize the free service to participate in activities on Friday, including the Remembrance Ceremony hosted by the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum and game three of the Western Conference playoffs as the Thunder face off against the Portland Trail Blazers in the evening.

Residents will have seven chances to ride for free by taking the bus or streetcar on the following days:

• April 19
• May 17
• June 21
• July 19
• August 16
• September 20

EMBARK estimates approximately 75,000 free rides will be provided over the course of the 3rd Friday program.

For information on fixed-bus and paratransit routes, visit www.embarkok.com. For information on OKC Streetcar services, visit www.okcstreetcar.com.

To learn more about EMBARK, visit www.embarkok.com for bus routes and schedules, www.okcstreetcar.com for streetcar routes and schedules, or call (405) 235-RIDE (7433) for personal assistance from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays. To learn more about Spokies Bike Share, visit www.spokiesokc.com.

###

Media Contact

Michael Scroggins

michael.scroggins@okc.gov

O  (405) 297-2107  M  (405) 837-9510

About EMBARK

EMBARK is the business unit of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA) – a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City. EMBARK is responsible for providing safe, efficient and convenient public transportation and downtown parking solutions to the greater Oklahoma City area.

EMBARK was the 2016 North America Outstanding Public Transit System of the Year.

Follow OKC Streetcar on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn.
Sign up for OKC Streetcar news emails.