Staying Healthy

The COVID-19 global pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on transit in Central Oklahoma. This page tracks EMBARK's response and any related service changes since March 11, 2020. The latest information will be listed first.

In order to keep our community safe and slow the spread of COVID-19 in the metro area, the following service rules are required while using EMBARK transit services.

9/18/2020 Update

NORMAN SERVICE AREA

Front door boarding has resumed on all buses in Norman.
EMBARK Norman continues to operate fare-free.

8/18/2020 Update

Since March, EMBARK has implemented several measures to encourage safety and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in its service area. We all must work together to limit the spread of COVID-19. EMBARK continues to uphold the safety of our passengers and employees as one of our highest values. That is why EMBARK continues to adjust our response as new information and guidance are made available from local and national health officials. The following updates will be effective Sunday, August 23.

OKLAHOMA CITY SERVICE AREA

Fares will be enforced and required to ride on all buses in Oklahoma City, including Route 024, Paratransit, and OKC Streetcar. While cash will be accepted again on buses, customers are encouraged to purchase fares in advance using Token Transit, our mobile fare app, or at the Transit Center. Always have a mask on and fare ready before boarding.

Front-door boarding is reinstated on 1600 and 1700 series to allow for fare payment.

NORMAN SERVICE AREA

Rear-door boarding is required on all buses in Norman.

EMBARK Norman continues to operate fare-free.

General Service Updates

EMBARK requires masks for all operators and customers and social distancing while riding buses, streetcars, or ferry.

Limited capacity numbers remain for OKC & Norman buses and OKC Streetcars and include the below limits:

10-person capacity for 35’ buses
12-person capacity for 40’ buses
2-customer capacity on Plus Paratransit vehicles
16-person capacity for all streetcars

Passengers are required to maintain 6-feet of distance between themselves and others.

Operator shield installations are underway on all OKC & Norman Fixed Route EMBARK buses. While this will limit operator and customer interactions, customers are expected to have masks on when boarding, have fares ready before boarding to limit time at the farebox, and plan extra time in their trip for possible delays.

Out of extreme caution and the cleanliness of transit vehicles, no eating or drinking is allowed while onboard.

EMBARK is proud to keep Oklahoma Moving Forward by providing a safe and clean space for essential transit services in Central Oklahoma. Visit embarkok.com for the latest Rules for Riding.

7/21/2020 Update

Masks are Required

As of 7/21/2020, masks are required for all EMBARK bus and OKC Streetcar customers and drivers.
Masks are available on all buses and at the Transit Center, while supplies last.

Other Temporary Service Rules

Social distancing on buses and streetcar will continue to limit capacity. Passengers are required to maintain at least 6-feet of space between themselves and others.

16-person capacity for all streetcars.
10-person capacity for 35’ buses.
12-person capacity for 40’ buses.
2-customer capacity on Plus vehicles.

Cash fares are not accepted on board buses. Purchase fares at Transit Center or Token Transit app.

Transit Center Closed on Weekends Until Further Notice

Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:15 am - 6:15 pm
Only 6 customers allowed inside at a time.
Transit Center access is limited to utilizing restroom facilities and fare purchases.

05/20/20 Update

A state of emergency has been declared due to the community spread of COVID-19in the metro area. As a result, compliance with the following service rules is required while using EMBARK transit services.

Transit Center Closed on Weekends Until Further Notice

Hours: Monday - Friday, 6:15 am - 6:15 pm
Only 6 customers allowed inside at a time.
Transit Center access is limited to utilizing restroom facilities and fare purchases.

OKC & Norman Bus Service Returns To Regular Schedule Starting Sunday, June 7, 2020

Face coverings are strongly encouraged for all passengers.
Rear-door boarding is required on all Norman buses and on 1600 and 1700 series OKC buses.
Social distancing on buses will continue to limit capacity. Passengers are required to maintain at least 6-feet of space between themselves and others.

10-person capacity for 35’ buses.
12-person capacity for 40’ buses.
1-customer capacity on Plus vehicles.

Cash fares are not accepted on board buses. Purchase fares at Transit Center or Token Transit app.

03/30/2020 Update

Temporary Service Schedule

OKLAHOMA CITY SERVICE AREA (bold are weekday only routes)

Weekday Service: 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: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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

- Service on Route 050 (Downtown Circulator) will be suspended
- Weeknight Service will be suspended
- No changes to EMBARK Plus Services (vehicles are limited to 1 customer per trip)

NORMAN SERVICE AREA

Weekday service: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

30-Minute service – routes 111, 112
60-Minute service – routes 110, 121
Regular Schedule – routes 120,124
Service on route 144 has been suspended

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.

EMBARK Plus continues to have the capacity to serve demand, which has dramatically declined from early March. Already, only one passenger is permitted in the vehicle at a time.

03/27/2020 Update

Temporary Service Rules

No more than 10 people in the Transit Center at any given time. The Transit Center is open for pass purchases, customer service assistance, and restrooms only. No interior seating is available. No vending machine access.

03/19/2020 Update

Temporary Service Rules

Bus (OKC)

GIVE EACH OTHER SPACE [updated]

At least 3-feet is required between yourself and the next person at all times.
Vehicle capacity is limited. Vehicles already at capacity may not stop until an onboard stop is requested.

PAYING FARES

Always have fare ready before boarding.
Use the Token Transit mobile app to pay fares, if possible.
Be prepared to take a seat immediately.

WHEN RIDING [updated]

Exit the bus through the rear door.
No eating or drinking on the vehicle. Sealed containers and groceries allowed.

REQUESTING ASSISTANCE

Only approach the operator after others have boarded.
Do not cross the yellow line.
ADA rules regarding mobility device securement are in effect.

Streetcar

GIVE EACH OTHER SPACE [updated]

At least 3-feet is required between yourself and the next person at all times.
Vehicle capacity is limited. Vehicles already at capacity may not stop until an onboard stop is requested.

PAYING FARES

Use the Token Transit mobile app to pay fares, if possible.
Be prepared to take a seat immediately.

WHEN RIDING [updated]

No customer food or drink allowed. Sealed containers and groceries allowed.
Expect longer wait times.

UPDATED SERVICE HOURS [new]

Starting Friday, March 20, Streetcar service will end at 10 pm.

Bus (Norman)

GIVE EACH OTHER SPACE [updated]

At least 3-feet is required between yourself and the next person at all times.
Vehicle capacity is limited. Vehicles already at capacity may not stop until an onboard stop is requested.

WHEN RIDING [updated]

Exit the bus through the rear door.
No eating or drinking on the vehicle. Sealed containers and groceries allowed.
Expect longer wait times.

REQUESTING ASSISTANCE

Only approach the operator after others have boarded.
Do not cross the yellow line.
ADA rules regarding mobility device securement are in effect.

03/16/2020 Update

Temporary Service Rules in Effect

A state of emergency has been declared due to the discovery of possible COVID-19 community spread in the metro area. As a result, compliance with the following service rules is required while using EMBARK transit services.

For Buses & Streetcars:

GIVE EACH OTHER SPACE
Maintain at least 3-feet between yourself and the next person at all times.

Note:

- Transit vehicles are limited to the number of passengers that can maintain a 3-foot distance from others. Capacity will vary by vehicle.

- Vehicles already at capacity may not stop until an onboard stop is requested.

For Buses:

PAYING FARES
Always have fare ready before boarding.
Use the Token Transit mobile app to pay fares, if possible.
Be prepared to take a seat immediately.
EXITING THE VEHICLE
Exit the bus through the rear door.

WHEN REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
Only approach the operator after other’s have boarded.
Do not cross the yellow line.
ADA rules regarding mobility device securement are in effect.

For Streetcars

PAYING FARES
Use the Token Transit mobile app to pay fares, if possible.
Be prepared to take a seat immediately, do not congregate in door/walk ways.
WHEN REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
Use the red call button to communicate with the operator.

03/11/2020 Update

With Coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed in Oklahoma, we understand there may be anxiety around the use of public services, including transit and parking facilities. EMBARK takes public health and safety very seriously. Many do not realize that we do our part to protect public health routinely throughout the year by disinfecting transit vehicles regularly by wiping down touchpoints and hard surfaces and spraying seats and floors.

What We’re Doing

We monitor the news and status updates from the local Emergency Management Office and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) daily. Our goal is to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all our customers.
Buses: We are now cleaning and sanitizing all OKC buses daily, including seats, poles, and stanchions. Norman buses, maintained by the City of Norman, are sanitized daily.
Streetcars: The seven OKC Streetcars are disinfected daily and more often if needed. Ticket kiosks, benches, and other surfaces at the OKC Streetcar platforms are also being cleaned with disinfectant.
Mobility Management Services: EMBARK’s partner transportation service providers are sanitizing vehicles daily. Congregate meal shuttles, and similar services will operate so long as the partner facility is open and operating.
Bike Share: Spokies Bike Share is sanitizing all customer touch points on stations and bikes, including touchscreens, handlebars, brakes, seats, and seat adjustment lever. every other day.
Ferry: Oklahoma River Cruises cleans and disinfects boats before every departure.
Parking: EMBARK parking garage elevators and kiosks are disinfected daily.
As a busy hub for transit riders, the downtown Transit Center has also increased its cleaning frequency and is now cleaned up to five times daily. All “high touch” areas, such as handrails, arms of the chairs, seats, water fountains, sinks, and counters, are sanitized continually. We have also added additional personnel to assist in keeping our facilities clean throughout the day.

How You Can Help

Most importantly, providing safe transit is a shared responsibility. We encourage all to practice good hygiene. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, and then wash your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

It is important to keep in mind that touchable surfaces should never be considered sanitized. That’s because vehicles and surfaces are only clean until someone touches it or coughs/sneezes nearby. If we’re to prevent the spread of coronavirus locally, we need your help.

For more resources about staying healthy and information about COVID-19, check out:

Stopping Stigmas

Public health emergencies, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are stressful times for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma (1) toward people, places, or things. For example, stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. Stigma can also occur after a person has been released from COVID-19 quarantine even though they are not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others.

View more information from the CDC here.

COVID-19 UPDATE - 10/6/2020

Staying Healthy

The COVID-19 global pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on transit in Central Oklahoma. This page tracks EMBARK's response and any related service changes since March 11, 2020. The latest information will be listed first.

In order to keep our community safe and slow the spread of COVID-19 in the metro area, the following service rules are required while using EMBARK transit services.

Stopping Stigmas

Resources