Ozark Regional Transit, Razorback Transit start free fare service in Fayetteville through end of year

In Fayetteville, passengers can ride for free on buses of Springdale-based transit provider Ozark Regional Transit (ORT) and Fayetteville-based provider Razorback Transit. On Monday (Aug. 20), the city announced the fare free ridership program had started and will remain in place through the end of the year.

The program applies to rides and transfers on ORT and Razorback Transit buses within the city limits. Razorback Transit’s service has been fare free. At the end of the year, officials will evaluate ridership and routes with hopes to expand the program into 2019, according to a news release.

Since spring 2018, city staff have worked with ORT and Razorback Transit on route design, frequency and service times with the goal to increase ridership with the existing budget. The transit providers have collaborated to coordinate services and reduce repetitive routes, increase route frequency, especially during peak ridership times.

ORT and Razorback Transit have updated their websites and hope publicly-available technology will assist riders with routes, the release shows. Also, riders should look for new bus stops and shelters.

“Razorback Transit and Ozark Regional Transit are two of our most important partners here in Fayetteville,” Mayor Lioneld Jordan said. “Without them, many of our residents wouldn’t be able to get to work, school, the doctor or other important destinations. By eliminating fares and creating more efficient routes, we hope to make life a little easier for folks. We also hope to have more people look at riding buses and bikes as part of their transportation alternatives.”

The fare free ridership program is one of the city’s Mobility Plan objectives to create a multi-modal, equitable and safe transportation system to promote and support economic growth and sustainability.