EMBARK officials kick off OKC Streetcar free fare pilot program

January 5, 2026

Officials with EMBARK today launched a six-month pilot program for free fares on the OKC Streetcar now through July 5. EMBARK plans to use the free fare pilot program to help boost ridership demand and support local economic activity.

“During our fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025, OKC Streetcar saw a new record high ridership totaling 288,517 annual riders,” said Jesse Rush, Director of EMBARK. “While this growth is encouraging, peer cities, such as Kansas City, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, have demonstrated that fare-free downtown circulator streetcar service can significantly increase ridership and year over year growth. Oklahoma City is launching this six-month pilot to test whether removing fares further reduces barriers, increases usage, and enhances downtown mobility. The results of this pilot will directly inform whether a permanent fare-free service is the right long-term strategy for the OKC Streetcar.”

Rush added that ridership on the OKC Streetcar increases during periods when the OKC Streetcar is free, most recently during the Downtown in December promotion.

The free fare pilot will give Oklahoma City residents and visitors an opportunity to try the OKC Streetcar for free to help them more easily move around downtown for tasks that may include dining out, travelling to downtown events or shopping.

“As Oklahoma City adds more housing and attractions within the downtown area, the OKC Streetcar can help ease traffic congestion,” said Kharlie Barnaby, Assistant Director of EMBARK. “Whether someone lives downtown or travels downtown for an event, they can use the OKC Streetcar to complement or replace a pedestrian trip, which is particularly useful during inclement weather or for events held later at night.”

The OKC Streetcar system consists of seven modern streetcars and two loops that consist of 22 stops and operate seven days a week.

OKC Streetcar Hours of Operation

Downtown Loop

• 6 a.m. – 12 p.m., Monday through Thursday
• 6 – 2 a.m. Friday
• 7 – 2 a.m. Saturday
• 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday

Bricktown Loop

• 6 – 2 a.m. Friday
• 7 – 2 a.m. Saturday
• 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday

During the pilot period, riders do not need a ticket to board the OKC Streetcar and can board at any OKC Streetcar platform.

For routes, maps, and other information about the OKC Streetcar, visit embarkok.com/streetcar/.