Residents will get a glimpse of planned changes to Fayetteville bus routes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W. Mountain St.

Ozark Regional Transit officials plan to revise public transit routes in Fayetteville. The existing route 41 will be divided into two routes with connections at Hillcrest Towers, according to a news release. Route 40 will be divided into two individual routes with connections at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.

Splitting the routes is expected to shorten commute times and serve new areas of the city, according to the release. Tentative plans would serve areas including the Fayetteville Industrial Park, Washington County Jail, Cliffs Apartments and Hill-Place Apartments.

The project is now in the analysis stage, according to the release. Transit officials have said they want community input to determine service levels, route alignment and bus stop locations.

The meeting will be conducted as an open house and will feature displays of route options and time frames for changes. Transit staff will explain the route proposal, answer questions and record comments.

The proposed changes are part of a widespread effort by Ozark Regional Transit to improve bus service in Northwest Arkansas, officials said previously. Fayetteville and other local governments authorized additional funding to the transit system last year to increase public transportation availability. Last week, the transit held a meeting on route changes in Rogers.

NW News on 02/25/2014