Connect Northwest Arkansas launches online survey for 10-year transit plan

Connect Northwest Arkansas recently launched an online survey to receive feedback on the 10-year transit plan for Northwest Arkansas as those involved in the project host several presentations to take questions and comments on the plan.

“Connect NW Arkansas will use technical analysis and a robust public engagement process to inform transit improvement recommendations,” said Tim Simon, transportation planner for Alliance Transportation Group. “The public engagement process involves meeting with city leadership, community stakeholders, major employers and the general public so that everyone can provide input. A critical element of the public engagement process is the survey. The results will be used to directly inform and guide the transit service structure and delivery recommendations.”

The survey is expected to be available through May 12, but could be extended if needed, Simon said. Link here for the survey.

Nine presentations on the plan will take place between Tuesday (April 2) and Saturday (April 6). The first will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Little Rock Trojans baseball game at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville. There people can view interactive maps, ask questions and provide comments on the plan. Link here for more upcoming events and information on the transit plan.

Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission on Dec. 21 hired Alliance Transportation Group to complete the plan. The $279,579 contract for the work will be paid for with federal funding. Work on the plan follows a four-part speaker series hosted in 2017 and 2018 by the planning commission. The transit plan will build on the speaker series and also incorporate other recent plans, such as the report consultant KFH Group completed for Springdale-based transit provider Ozark Regional Transit on a bus rapid transit study for U.S. Highway 71B, from Bentonville to Fayetteville.