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About EMBARK

At EMBARK, we’re more than a bus company. We’re a close-knit transit family that plans, schedules, operates, promotes and maintains downtown parking and the public transportation system throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. Our people have passion to be world-class transportation that is accessible to all, and all want to access it.


    Banner of various service EMBARK modes of transportation.
    Who We Are
    What We Do
    Our Priorities

    Who We Are

    EMBARK is responsible for planning, constructing, maintaining, and operating multimodal passenger transportation systems and downtown parking facilities. EMBARK provides a safe and affordable multimodal public transit network by fostering relationships, developing public/private partnerships with Greater Oklahoma City communities, and promoting the use of transit-oriented development policies.

    A hybrid City of Oklahoma City department and public trust, EMBARK is governed by the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority.

    Major Milestones

    • 1966 - The City Council of Oklahoma City established Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) in order to continue the needed public service. COTPA, founded as a public trust, started with only 18 buses, which were leased from the Oklahoma Transportation Company.
    • 1975 - COTPA approved the renaming of the bus system to MassTrans
    • 1989 - COTPA was reorganized and the City established the Public Transportation and Parking department providing senior management for COTPA through an inter-local operating agreement that continues today.
    • 1992 - COTPA approved the renaming of the bus system to METRO Transit
    • 2005 - 2030 Fixed Guideway Plan Adopted
    • 2008 - COTPA Launches Oklahoma River Cruises ferry transit service
    • 2012 - COTPA launches Spokies bikeshare program
    • 2013 - COTPA approves doing business as EMBARK for both its transit and parking divisions
    • 2016 - EMBARK completes construction of Arts Parking Garage
    • 2018 - EMBARK begins operating OKC Streetcar service
    • 2019 - COTPA approves a contract with The City of Norman for EMBARK to operate the Norman transit system
    • 2019 - EMBARK launches 7-day service, and later includes holidays, operating 365 days per year
    • 2020 - COTPA approves Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma (RTA) to provide Interim Administrative Services
    • 2021 - EMBARK completes construction of Convention Center Parking Garage
    • 2023 - EMBARK launches RAPID NW, OKC's first bus rapid transit line

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