ORT Adds New Bus Route

Aug. 31, 2015

Ozark Regional Transit (ORT) has been in discussion with two large employers in the Rogers area and with the Rogers Technical High School (RTHS), in recent weeks.  Addressing employee turnover rates and the need to get students transported expeditiously to NWACC classes respectively, were at the forefront of these discussions.

As a result, ORT has designed and implemented a new route, 53, in Rogers.  Services commenced on Aug. 24, to coincide with the beginning of the school year.

As with the demonstration routes implemented in Springdale in May, Route 53 will traverse through neighborhoods and throughfares, not previously serviced by established bus routes. The route will begin as early as 5:25 a.m. at RTHS and run its short leg to Ozark Mountain Poultry (OMP) and SERCO and back until 7:10 a.m. (See attached map and schedule.)  This short leg of the overall route will allow for employees to get to their early morning shifts.

At 7:10 a.m., the bus will leave RTHS to begin its long leg which will include NWACC-Benton County in addition to OMP and SERCO.  This complete route will run until 4:25 p.m., then go off-line until 12:25 a.m. the following day.  At 12:25 a.m., the route will continue in order to facilitate employees home after the evening shifts.  The run will end completely at 2:15 a.m. and start again on weekdays, beginning at 5:25 a.m.

In addition, ORT will provide transportation from Springdale to Ozark Mountain Poultry, for all Route 53 Park-and-Riders at the Jones Center at 5:00 a.m. each weekday.  Passengers will be arrive at OMP at 5:40 a.m.  The non-stop return trip from Rogers to Springdale will travel from the OMP plant on Easy St., picking up at 2:15 a.m. and dropping off at the Jones Center at 2:40 a.m.

ORT staff have stationed map displays and handouts at the Ozark Mountain Poultry plant for the past few weeks.  They have been available to all OMP employees to answer questions about all pertinent routes and how they can be used to get to work, medical services, entertainment, education and shopping venues.

The new route is completely open to the public at a fare of $1.25 one way.