Three-Week Celebration with Free Rides, Family Entertainment, Shop ‘N’ Win Giveaway, and Rider Rewards

OKLAHOMA CITY — EMBARK announces a three-week Grand Opening Celebration to introduce the modern OKC Streetcar to explore Downtown districts. Grand opening events kick off at 11 a.m. today at the initiation of service for the OKC Streetcar after a 70-year absence in the state’s capital city. The OKC Streetcar will be free for the first three weeks of service launch, running from Dec. 14, 2018, through Jan. 5, 2019.

The three-week celebration gets rolling outside Leadership Square at 10 a.m. with a formal ceremony featuring elected and appointed officials, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the stories from riders who used the original streetcar more than 70 years ago. Shortly after that, dignitaries and Golden Ticket winners will board the first two streetcars as the system’s first official passengers.

EMBARK director Jason Ferbrache said the events are meant to introduce OKC Streetcar and build excitement among potential riders as well as encourage visitors to the urban core to explore the businesses, restaurants, and shops along the two streetcar loops serving Bricktown, City Center, Automobile Alley, Midtown and Arts District areas.

“As we continue to introduce new transit options, I’m confident the entire city will find new momentum as the OKC Streetcar unites the heart of our community,” shares Ferbrache.

“The OKC Streetcar truly is the ‘new neighbor on the block’ to hundreds of business owners and more than 30,000 people who live, work and explore these business, residential, and entertainment districts,” said Ferbrache. “We want to be a good neighbor and introduce ourselves to shop and business owners, residents, and visitors in a big way to help people gain an understanding that OKC Streetcar, and EMBARK, is here to serve them.”

Ferbrache said these events are meant to continue the excitement that has built for years leading up to today’s initiation of service, as the seven streetcars and drivers have completed the necessary testing and training processes.  

“From basketball games to holiday events to family entertainment options, OKC Streetcar provides a way for everyone to move throughout the heart of our city and enjoy all our downtown districts have to offer. 

“Our hope is these events encourage people to learn more about parking once and then riding the streetcar or CIRC bus and incorporating it into their urban core travel plans, whether routinely or casually,” said Ferbrache.

The special three-week Grand Opening Celebration features events and promotions at participating Love the Loops Partners, which are dozens of business, restaurants, and shops along the two streetcar loops. Grand Opening Celebration sponsors include Herzog Transit Services, Inc. Herzog Stacey & Witbeck, Brookville, Downtown OKC Partnership, EMBARK, and the City of Oklahoma City.

Love the Loops Shop ‘N’ Win – Now through June 30, 2019

Anyone who makes a purchase at any participating Love the Loops Partner location can upload their receipt dated in the promotion’s timeframe for a chance to win a $250 gift card from one of the Love the Loops partners. The first drawing will be Monday, Nov. 26, and drawings will take place weekly until the last one on Monday, July 1, 2019. For more information on Shop ‘N’ Win, visit www.okcstreetcar.com/win.

OKC Streetcar Rider Rewards – December 17, 2018 through June 30, 2019

Starting December 17, OKC Streetcar riders will be randomly rewarded with a voucher for a $25 gift card to anyone of our Love the Loops Partners. Ten riders will be randomly selected each week from December 17, 2018, through June 30, 2019.

Grand Opening Specials – December 14, 2018 through January 5, 2019

Restaurants, stores, and businesses along the loops have special promotions planned from December 14, 2018, to January 5, 2019. Visit https://okcstreetcar.com/grand-opening/promotions/ to see all the available Grand Opening Specials at participating Love the Loops Partners

For a complete list of Love the Loops Partners, you can visit https://okcstreetcar.com/love/current-partners/.

The OKC Streetcar system is made up of two loops – the Downtown (D-Loop) and Bricktown (B-Loop). The D-Loop stretches 4.8 miles with 22 stops across all five districts. The 2-mile B-Loop has nine stops and serves the Bricktown and City Center areas. For more information about OKC Streetcar, how to ride and more, visit www.OKCstreetcar.com.

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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.

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