Officials with EMBARK recently launched a six-month pilot program for free fares on the Oklahoma City Streetcar now through July 5. EMBARK plans to use the free-fare pilot program to boost ridership 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.”

According to Rush, 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 it 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, helping them more easily move around downtown for tasks such as dining out, attending 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 with 22 stops, operating seven days a week.