Ozark Regional Transit

11/02/2026

WHY DO BUSES WAIT AT TIMED STOPS?

Have you ever been riding the bus and wondered why the driver stops and waits for a few minutes, even when no one is getting on or off?

These are called timed stops, and they play an important role in keeping our buses running on schedule!

WHAT IS A TIMED STOP?

A timed stop is a designated location along a route where a bus is scheduled to depart at a specific time. If the bus arrives early, the driver may need to wait until the scheduled departure time before continuing.

IMPORTANT: The time listed for a timed stop on our route maps is the time the bus is scheduled to LEAVE that stop, not necessarily when it arrives!

WHY ARE THEY NECESSARY?

Timed stops help prevent buses from running ahead of schedule, ensuring riders don't miss their bus because it arrived too early. They also help maintain consistent service, improve reliability, and make it easier for passengers to plan their trips.

WANT TO SEE AN EXAMPLE? Swipe to the second slide to see a route map with timed stops highlighted in yellow!

So, the next time your bus pauses for a few minutes, remember: it's not necessarily a delay! It's part of keeping everyone on schedule. 💙

Plan your next ride! View our most up-to-date route maps and schedules at:

https://www.ozark.org/routes-schedules

10/30/2026

Updated Route 14 and Route 15 maps are now available online!

View the latest maps and plan your next trip at ozark.org/routes-schedules

10/26/2026

Did You Know? ORT's History Goes Back to the 1960s!

Ozark Regional Transit's roots date back to a transportation system established in the 1960s. Building on that foundation, "Ozark Transit" officially launched service on August 11, 1980, with just three routes serving Fayetteville!

📰 Newspaper articles from 1980 give us a glimpse into what public transportation looked like when Ozark Transit first began:

🚍 Three buses: The original system connected neighborhoods throughout Fayetteville, with the Downtown Fayetteville Square serving as a central connection point.

⏰ Proposed service hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

💰 Proposed fares: Just 25 cents per ride, with half-price fares for elderly riders and passengers with disabilities. Children under six could ride for free!

📍 Connecting the community: Routes were designed to serve shopping centers, residential neighborhoods, medical facilities, schools, and employment areas, including destinations like Northwest Arkansas Mall.

These early efforts helped lay the foundation for the public transportation network we know today as Ozark Regional Transit, serving communities throughout Northwest Arkansas!

The newspaper photo featured in our graphic captures an Ozark Transit bus waiting for passengers on the Fayetteville Square on its very first day of service, August 11, 1980.
From our roots in the 1960s to connecting communities across Northwest Arkansas today, we've come a long way! 💙🚎

10/24/2026

Did you know you can ride ORT to the polls?

Early voting begins TODAY, October 19!

We've put together a voting transportation resource to help you find early voting and Election Day locations throughout Northwest Arkansas that are accessible by ORT fixed routes or On-Demand service.

Our resource includes:
📍 Voting locations and addresses
📅 Early voting and Election Day dates and hours
🚌 Applicable ORT routes and On-Demand transportation options

How to access the list:
Scan the QR code on our graphic or screenshot the image and scan the QR code from your photos.

You can also visit ozark.org/community-resources -voting

Please plan ahead! Check transit schedules and availability, allow enough time for your trip, and remember that On-Demand rides are not guaranteed. If using On-Demand, you'll need to book separate trips to and from your voting location.

10/23/2026

Show your support for the SOTA program at UAMS, while supplies last! 🚎🚎💙

ORT SWAG has arrived! Show your support for Ozark Regional Transit while giving back to the next generation of occupational therapy professionals!

This exclusive ORT Tee was created in collaboration with the Student Occupational Therapy Association at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville / University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (SOTA) and Krista Hogan, a student in the UAMS Occupational Therapy Program.

Inspired by the communities we serve every day, this design celebrates the freedom, connection, and independence that public transportation brings to Northwest Arkansas.

For the first 75 shirts sold, net proceeds will be donated directly to the UAMS Student Occupational Therapy Association to support future students and the important work they do!

Thank you for supporting Ozark Regional Transit and helping invest in the future of occupational therapy. Every purchase helps tell the story of public transit while making a meaningful impact.

Click the link top shop! https://www.ozark.org/ort-swag

10/21/2026

We had such a fun day at ORT!

We kicked things off with our October Safety Meeting, where our incoming Safety Coordinator, who is currently training alongside our retiring Safety Coordinator, had his first opportunity to speak to the team! Our Training Coordinator also led an important refresher on wheelchair restraints, helping ensure we continue providing safe and accessible transportation for our riders.

We also got creative! Our Arts & Wellness Director led a bilateral drawing activity to help our drivers calm their nervous systems, manage stress, and practice a little self-care. 🎨💙🚎

Meanwhile, the judges had a very important (and delicious) job... tasting entries for our FIRST Annual ORT Chili Cook-Off! 🌶️🏆

After the meeting, everyone got to dig into the chili, enjoy some time together, and celebrate our winner and runner-up with certificates!

It was a great day of learning, laughter, good food, and team bonding. We're grateful for the people who make ORT such a special place to work! 💙🚌

Send a message to learn more

10/16/2026

The Wooden Spoon is back again!

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 23, from 10–11 AM. The Wooden Spoon will be back in the ORT parking lot with some delicious food!

See the second graphic to check out the menu and pricing so you can plan your order ahead of time.

We hope to see you there! 💙🚎

10/14/2026

Get your ORT gear before it's gone!

Our exclusive Freedom Through Transit shirts are available in limited quantities and only while supplies last! Don't miss your chance to show your support for public transit in Northwest Arkansas while also supporting the UAMS Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA)! 💙

Grab yours today at ozark.org/ort-swag

10/12/2026

DID YOU KNOW? 💡🚎

Route 490 connects Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville- AND it also connects you to other ORT routes, helping you travel even farther across Northwest Arkansas!

With stops in all four cities, Route 490 makes it easier to transfer to local fixed routes and reach even more destinations for work, school, shopping, appointments, and more!

Here's Route 490's stops and routes you can connect to!

📍 Bentonville – NWACC Benton County: Connect to the Bentonville/Rogers Connector (Route BRC). The BRC connects to even more routes including 14, 15, 16 and 17!

📍 Rogers – Hunt Tower: Connect to Routes 53 and 54. From 53 and 54, you can connect to BRC, 14, 15, 16 and 17!

📍 Springdale – NWACC Washington County: Connect to Route 62. From Route 62, you can connect to 61 and 63.

📍 Fayetteville – Northwest Arkansas Mall: Connect to Route 61. From 61, you can connect to 62 and 63.

✨ And the best part? ORT's fixed routes are ZERO FARE!

Whether you're traveling between cities or transferring to explore more of your own, Route 490 helps make it possible.

PLAN your trip with Citymapper, TRACK your bus with Passio GO, and CHECK route maps and schedules at ozark.org/routes-schedules before heading out.

***Graphic is for illustration purposes only and does not represent exact route alignments or stop locations. Please refer to official route maps for accurate information.***