Streetcar to permanently operate seven days a week

OKLAHOMA CITY — After nearly two months and more than 121,000 riders, complimentary rides on the Oklahoma City Streetcar are ending, with fares starting Saturday, February 2. Even though the free rides are drawing to a close, streetcar riders who purchase their fare through the Token Transit mobile app can receive 50 percent off their first fare purchase in February.

EMBARK’s Board of Trustees also approved a plan to launch a full Sunday service schedule starting Sunday, April 7. For the past seven weeks, EMBARK has piloted a limited Sunday schedule. EMBARK director Jason Ferbrache said ridership numbers had proven the demand for service seven days a week exists.

“More than 55,000-weekend riders have enjoyed the OKC Streetcar during the first 7-weeks of service, including more than 18,0000 customers on Sundays during our trial period. As people become accustomed to the ease of purchasing tickets and navigating the routes, we believe this will become a regular mode of transportation for downtown employees, residents, and visitors.”

The streetcars serve Bricktown, City Center, Automobile Alley, Midtown, and Arts District. Sunday Streetcar service will resume limited 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. service on Sunday, February 10 through March 31 to allow time for additional streetcar operators to be hired and adequately trained. A full-service schedule from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. starts April 7.

Starting February 2, fares will be $1 for a single boarding ticket valid for 60 minutes, $3 for a 24-hour day pass, $32 for a 30-day pass and $384 for an annual pass. Coins, small bills and credit/debit cards can be used to purchase tickets and day passes at the kiosk on the platform. Tickets and all other passes can also be purchased using the Token Transit mobile app.

All EMBARK transit users can take advantage of a 50 percent discount on fares purchased in the Token Transit app. The discount is available through February 28 and only in the app. Only one discount per account. The app can be downloaded from iOS and Android app stores and can be used to purchase universal passes good for both bus and streetcar, or streetcar only passes.

How to ride when paying a fare:

• Enter the streetcar from the platform stop; no swiping, scanning, or tapping is required, just keep your proof of fare handy.
• Fare inspectors may ask to see your ticket during your trip, so be prepared to show your paper ticket or the pass stored on your app to verify the ticket purchase.
• Upon nearing your stop, press the blue stop button to disembark. Press the yellow door button to head out.

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.

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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.

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

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