The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) adopted a resolution at its board meeting to remove the fare for the OKC Streetcar and establish a zero-fare service effective immediately.  

EMBARK established a free fare pilot program in January to test whether removing fares from the OKC Streetcar would increase usage.

A ridership analysis comparing January through June 2025 with the same months in 2026 showed that ridership on the OKC Streetcar increased by an average of 71% month over month compared with the same period last year, said officials.

“We’re pleased to see these positive results from the ridership analysis and to create a Zero Fare OKC Streetcar system for our residents and visitors,” said Jesse Rush, director of EMBARK. “As our city continues to invest in projects and host major events coming to downtown Oklahoma City, the streetcar can improve downtown circulation, help ease traffic congestion and boost economic activity for downtown businesses.”

The OKC Streetcar operates seven days a week across two loops with 22 stops, served by seven modern streetcars.

The OKC Streetcar’s fare-free pilot builds on broader efforts by EMBARK to lower barriers to transit and attract new riders, as reported previously by METRO.

The agency has seen encouraging results from previous periods of free service, including its annual Third Friday Free promotion, which provides complimentary rides across EMBARK’s fixed-route bus network, RAPID NW bus rapid transit service, Zone 1 paratransit, the streetcar, and Oklahoma River Cruises.

Now in its fifth year, Third Friday Free has also evolved into an opportunity for EMBARK to explore partnerships that can help support fare-free service. In 2025, Allegiance Credit Union became the first private-sector partner to support the program financially.

Rush said the agency views such partnerships as one potential way to expand transit access while managing the financial pressures associated with providing service.

The agency has also seen operational benefits from eliminating fares. Without a fare transaction, passengers can board more quickly, which Rush said has helped improve service frequency and route efficiency.

Earlier this summer, Rush said the agency is not currently considering making the entire EMBARK system fare-free. Still, it continues to explore targeted programs and partnerships that could make transit more affordable and accessible. Among the possibilities is an employer program that would allow businesses to purchase reduced-cost transit passes for their employees.

For EMBARK, the various initiatives reflect a broader effort to make public transportation easier to understand and use, particularly for people who may not have previously considered transit an option. Free service removes the financial barrier while also allowing prospective riders to become familiar with the system without worrying about fares or the mechanics of paying.