ORT Details New Rogers Bus Routes

Ozark Regional Transit has started a new demonstration route in Rogers aimed at getting people to work at large employers and students to classes.

Route 53 came to be after transit officials talked with two large employers in the Rogers area and with Rogers New Technology High School about employee turnover rates and the need to get students transported to Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, according to a news release. Services began Aug. 24 to coincide with the beginning of the school year.

The route traverses areas that were not previously serviced by established bus routes, the release says. The route begins as early as 5:25 a.m. at Rogers New Technology High School and runs a short leg to Ozark Mountain Poultry and SERCO and back until 7:10 a.m. This short leg of the route will allow for employees to get to early morning shifts, the release says.

At 7:10 a.m., the bus leaves the high school to begin its long leg, which includes the college, Ozark Mountain Poultry and SERCO. The complete route runs until 4:25 p.m., then goes offline until 12:25 a.m. the next day. At 12:25 a.m., the route continues to help get employees home after night shifts. The run ends completely at 2:15 a.m. and starts again on weekdays at 5:25 a.m., the release says.

In addition, the transit system will provide transportation from Springdale to Ozark Mountain Poultry for all Route 53 park-and-riders at The Jones Center in Springdale at 5 a.m. weekdays. Passengers will arrive at Ozark Mountain Poultry at 5:40 a.m. The non-stop return trip from Rogers to Springdale will travel on Easy Street, picking up at 2:15 a.m. and dropping off at the Jones Center at 2:40 a.m., the release says.

The new route is open to the public at a fare of $1.25 one way.

The transit system has four fixed routes in Fayetteville, four in Springdale, three in Rogers and one in Bentonville. It has two "express" route bus services, one that is hourly between Fayetteville and Bentonville and free for NWACC students, and another that is a 1½ hour route between West Fork and Lincoln.

Para-transit services are offered in all cities with fixed-route service and -- to a limited extent -- in rural areas and smaller cities in Washington, Benton, Madison and Carroll counties Monday through Friday.

All transit system vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Bicycle racks are available on all fixed-route buses. Information on para-transit service and fixed-route information can be obtained by calling 479-756-5901 or visit www.ozark.org.

NW News on 09/01/2015

Upcoming Events