OKC Streetcar surpasses 1 million riders, plans for continued success

OKC Streetcar opening ceremony, December 14, 2018.

The OKC Streetcar has officially passed the one-million-riders mark. The voter-approved MAPS 3 public transportation project has been in service since December of 2018.

The EMBARK-powered transit service allows riders to travel between Bricktown, downtown, and Midtown with ease through the looped routes. Not only convenient for those living and working in the downtown area, the streetcar is also used by visitors to the city’s core. Several streetcar boarding platforms are conveniently located near parking lots and garages, making it easy for visitors to park their vehicles in one place while traveling throughout the districts.

Many visitor and tourism-based projects struggled during the last few years due to the pandemic. However, the streetcar has cemented its place as a staple in Oklahoma City’s core.

“I commend everyone at OKC Streetcar for working together to get through a two-year period that was very challenging across the country for public transit, downtowns and tourism,” Oklahoma City Mayor, David Holt said.

 

Mayor Holt continued in saying as the city moves forward, the streetcar will continue to emerge as valuable visitor resource, acknowledging the impact of visitors to our local economy.

The streetcar project initially opened to the public on December 14, 2018. Since, the transit system has allowed riders to navigate through Automobile Alley, Bricktown, City Center, Arts District and Midtown. According to the city, the project’s purpose is to strengthen community connections, support economic growth, and enhance mobility for downtown Oklahoma City’s residents and visitors.

“Continuing to build transportation that is accessible to all means greater opportunity for our future generations," Assistant City Manager and EMBARK Administrator, Jason Ferbrache said.

“Today, the streetcar is a critical strategic element of our region’s transportation future, connecting with as many as three RAPID transit lines, dozens of bus routes, bike share, and the RTA’s visionary commuter rail network.”

Following the success of the system, the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma is now conducting federal studies to further the region’s commuter rail system and help connect communities like Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Norman, as well as Tinker Air Force Base near Midwest City.

“As we begin to welcome more aspects of a comprehensive transit system, including the RAPID Bus Rapid Transit line and the potential for commuter rail through RTA, we will begin to fully realize the important role that the streetcar plays as a circulator for residents arriving downtown without a car,” Holt said.

“In the meantime, the streetcar has already spurred major economic development downtown, and in moving more than a million passengers, it has obviously already established itself as a desirable amenity.”

MAPS 4 will bring additional assets to the city’s transportation infrastructure. $97 million has been allocated to improving transit service systems. Two Bus Rapid Transit lines and more than 500 bus shelters will be included in the improvements.

For more information about the OKC Streetcar and services offered, visit okcstreetcar.com.