A FREE RIDE
OKC public transportation offers free fare days in December
There’s no cost to ride Oklahoma City’s new rapid bus system connecting downtown with the northwest part of the city through December, city officials announced.
EMBARK, the city’s public transportation agency, said the month-long free fare on the new RAPID NW line would familiarize residents with the service. RAPID NW is intended to improve connection to OKC’s metro while reducing traffic downtown, officials say, through high-frequency service and dedicated bus lanes.
Along with the month-long free RAPID fare, transit officials announced fare for additional EMBARK services will be free in December as well.
● RAPID fares will be free through Jan. 1, 2024.
● Both the city’s streetcar and Spokies bike share program are free Dec. 117, 22-25 and 29-31.
● Fare for the previous fixed-route EMBARK buses also will be free through Dec. 16, as well as Dec. 25 and 31.
On Jan. 2, 2024, fare will be required for each trip on the RAPID buses, with an adult price of at least $1.75 per ride. Officials ask residents to have their fare ready via available ticket kiosks or the Token Transit mobile app before boarding, as the RAPID buses are not equipped to handle cash.
Two more RAPID lines are currently in the early planning stages for routes through the city’s northeast and south sides.
Are other discounts available?
Children younger than the age of 18 are eligible for free service year-round on all RAPID and EMBARK fixed-route buses through the expanded Haul Pass program. Participants must fill out online forms and follow the program guidelines to receive free transit services.
Reduced fare also is available to adults 65 or older, people on Medicare and people with a qualifying disability. Eligible passengers are encouraged to complete forms and submit documentation for an EMBARK Reduced Fare ID.
In addition, EMBARK announced a half-price sale on all fixed-route bus, RAPID, streetcar and Spokies passes bought through Saturday, Dec. 9, including weekly, monthly and annual passes. Passes can be purchased through the Token Transit and Spokies mobile apps, the streetcar’s platform ticket kiosks and EMBARK’s downtown transit center at 420 NW 5. “Universal” passes will still be valid on RAPID, local and express buses, and the streetcar.