OKC streetcar will stay fare-free after ridership shot up 74%

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority announced plans to keep the Downtown OKC streetcar fare-free after a pilot program that began in January led to a rise in ridership of up to 74%, reports Brett Fieldcamp in Oklahoma City Free Press.

"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," said Jesse Rush, Director of EMBARK, the city's transit authority.

In his State of the City address, Mayor David Holt signaled strong support for the project and other initiatives to boost transit, and acknowledged that fare revenue is often a small part of a transit system's operating budget. "According to Holt’s post Friday, the measure of success for a public service shouldn’t be a dollar amount or a financial return on investment, but the enthusiasm with which the public engages with the service." Holt added, "if the community is using it, it has value."