SPRINGDALE -- Ozark Regional Transit will extend free public transit fares through next year with a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.
The $144,269 grant will ensure Ozark Regional can offer its regional bus services to riders free for 2021. The effort aims to ease cost barriers to transportation for underrepresented communities, to attract new riders and to support local municipalities dealing with the financial impacts of covid-19, officials said.
The transit agency launched its zero-fare program in August 2018 in Fayetteville. In January, Springdale and Rogers also decided to pay for the fares on their routes. Ozark Regional expanded the program systemwide in April to eliminate payment transaction times, increase overall ridership and improve access to transportation options, officials said.
Full-price fare typically is $1.25 for fixed routes and $2.50 for curb-to-curb routes.
Ozark Regional has implemented federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health and safety guidelines to protect riders and drivers. Buses are running at 66% capacity, face coverings are required, and boarding is only through the back doors of the buses. To date, there have been no confirmed covid-19 cases among transit employees connected to work-related exposures, officials said.
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October 30, 2020 at 03:28PM
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Walton grant extends free bus rides - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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