ORT changes two routes in north Fayetteville

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE A Ozark Regional Transit shuttle makes its way west on Backus Avenue Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, in Springdale. The vehicle is one of six remaining after a fire destroyed most of its fleet.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE A Ozark Regional Transit shuttle makes its way west on Backus Avenue Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, in Springdale. The vehicle is one of six remaining after a fire destroyed most of its fleet.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Ozark Regional Transit is changing two routes serving areas around the Northwest Arkansas Mall, officials said Friday.

Routes 3 and 4 will change starting Monday. The changes are expected to increase efficiency on both routes and enable them to maintain their schedules throughout the day, according to Joel Gardner, executive director.

Haas Hall Academy moved to Front Street near the mall and the associated traffic has delayed transit buses, Gardner said.

"We get ourselves locked up in that school zone, so we're pulling off of Front Street," he said. "We're finding out that more and more people want to access the Wal-Mart on Mall Avenue and those new apartment complexes and the amenities there on Van Asche and on Steele."

Route 4 will stop at the mall on its northbound run, via the bridge and Mall Avenue.

The southbound run will go from the mall south on Mall Avenue, east on Joyce Boulevard, south on College Avenue and eventually to Hillcrest Towers on Center Street.

Route 3 northbound from Millsap Road will go across the flyover, west on Van Asche Drive, then north on Steele Boulevard.

Gardner said the change will allow more quality and quantity of stops for riders while keeping the buses running on time.

Permanent bus stops will be placed at yet-to-be-determined locations along Mall Avenue, Van Asche Drive and Steele Boulevard for better access.

Ozark Transit has four fixed routes in Fayetteville, five in Springdale, two in Rogers and one in Bentonville. Additionally, it offers an hourly express bus service between Fayetteville and Bentonville that's free for Northwest Arkansas Community College students.

Curb-to-curb services are offered Monday through Friday in 10 cities in Benton and Washington counties with fixed-route service to a limited extent in rural areas and smaller cities in Washington, Benton, Madison and Carroll counties.

All transit vehicles are wheelchair-accessible, and all fixed route buses are bicycle-friendly. Information on curb-to-curb service and fixed-route transit can be obtained by calling (479) 756-5901 or visiting www.ozark.org.

NW News on 11/04/2017

Upcoming Events