Ozark Regional Transit plans expansion

Ozark Regional Transit (ORT) announces plans to expand services by June 1. The public transportation company said recent budget increases by many of the municipalities it serves in Northwest Arkansas made funds available for added routes.

In 2014, ORT has added two new routes—one in Springdale and one in Rogers—as well as multiple revisions to existing routes designed to reach previously-underserved areas. By changing some of the previous routes, ORT said it has been able to shorten passenger travel time.

A new express route is expected to begin June 1 that will connect Farmington, Greenland, Lincoln, Prairie Grove and West Fork to the rest of the bus system. This in conjunction with the new route in Springdale, which now serves the City of Johnson, adds no less than six municipalities into the ORT network.

Given all the changes under way in the ORT routes, two software programs have been made available on the company website that will help to educate and explain the route revisions.

The company said it has hired 9 drivers, 2 mechanics and 2 office administrators this year for this business expansion.

ORT also operates rural “on-demand” services in Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington Counties and can organize carpooling programs for interested parties.