Amplify: Officials to hold ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrate launch of RAPID Northwest
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- November 28, 2023
New bus rapid transit service fare-free through December 31
A ribbon cutting ceremony for EMBARK’s inaugural RAPID Northwest line is set for Monday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. at the RAPID platform located near the southeast corner of the NW 18th Street and Classen intersection, which is one of the stop platforms for the new transit service.
Officials with the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (EMBARK), the City of Oklahoma City, and the Federal Transit Administration will be on hand for the ribbon cutting, giving comments and interviews after the ceremony.
RAPID is Central Oklahoma’s first bus rapid transit service. Operated by EMBARK, the first RAPID line has 32 stops, stretches 9.5 miles each way, and integrates into the more extensive EMBARK transit network. The route connects downtown OKC to Classen Boulevard and Northwest Expressway to Meridian. The NW line uses a fleet of nine 40-foot clean-natural gas vehicles. The NW Line will operate 365 days a year with service at each of the 32 stops every 12-15 minutes during peak service.
With nearly 40,000 residents and 91,000 jobs along the RAPID Northwest line, it is estimated that over 20% of the region’s employment base is within a half-mile of this new transit service.
The RAPID NW line launches with fare-free service through Dec. 31.
RAPID adds to EMBARK’s family of services, including fixed-route bus, EMBARK Plus paratransit service, OKC Streetcar, Spokies Bike Share, Oklahoma River Cruises, Mobility Management Services, and Downtown Parking.
