EMBARK Announces Temporary Transit Service Plan

March 30, 2020

EMBARK continues to provide service throughout Greater Oklahoma City during the extraordinary challenges threatening the health and well-being of the community. However, effective Sunday, April 5, EMBARK’s schedules will be adjusted to preserve long-term service coverage and protect the safety of customers and employees.

EMBARK bus service in Oklahoma City and Norman will be reduced temporarily to a 12-hour service span. Out of concern for safety, buses have self-imposed capacity limits with no more than 10-12 people per vehicle. Passengers are required to maintain at least 3-feet between themselves and others. Similarly, the Transit Center lobby is limited to nine people and by purpose – purchasing fares or accessing restrooms.

EMBARK Plus ADA paratransit program in Oklahoma City and Norman have already eliminated shared rides in compliance with official distancing orders. EMBARK Plus continues to have the capacity to serve demand, which has dramatically declined from earlier this month.

“Implementing reduced service is against our nature; however, for the safety of our community and employees, it is the right thing to do,” said Jason Ferbrache, EMBARK Administrator. “We’re committed to helping our community access necessities such as food, medicine, and essential employment.”

EMBARK Service Changes – effective April 5, 2020

Oklahoma City Service Area (bold are weekday only routes)

Weekday service will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• 25-Minute service – 023
• 30-Minute service – 002, 005, 038
• 45-Minute service – 012, 013, 014
• 60-Minute Service – 003, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 016, 018, 019, 022, 040
• Regular Schedule – 015, 024

Weekends

• 45-Minute Service – 012, 013, 014, 038
• 50-Minute Service – 023
• 60-Minute Service – 002, 003, 005, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 016, 022, 040

Other Changes

• Service on Route 050 (Downtown Circulator) will be suspended
• Weeknight Service will be suspended

Norman Service Area

• Weekday service will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• 30-Minute service – 111, 112
• 60-Minute service – 110, 121
• Regular Schedule – 120,124
• Service on 144 has already been suspended

Earlier this month, EMBARK implemented enhanced cleaning routines and practices for its vehicles and facilities. All buses, streetcars, bike share stations, and parking facilities are sanitized daily. Deep cleaning and sanitizing a bus can take up to three hours per bus. Additional measures have been implemented and include requesting employees to stay home if sick, offering administrative employees to work-from-home, and closing the EMBARK Headquarters to the public except by appointment.

“EMBARK’s operation, maintenance, and customer engagement employees continue to selflessly provide the transit services our community deserves in these difficult times – thank you many times over for showing-up and your willingness to serve,” said Ferbrache. “Extreme times call for extreme measures. We’re confident the steps we’re taking today will position EMBARK and the community to bounce back quicker and stronger.”

EMBARK is working alongside the City of Oklahoma City and the City of Norman to monitor the health crisis and adapt as needed. Stay engaged with EMBARK by watching for updates on social media, and its website – embarkok.com