FARMINGTON -- Monday, June 2, is the firm date when Ozark Regional Transit will begin a new fixed-route traveling from Lincoln to West Fork and back five days a week, according to Joel Gardner, executive director.
Gardner said the system will use April and May to hold public input meetings in communities along the route and to decide on park and ride locations in each town.
The new route will make stops at Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Farmington, Lot 56 in Fayetteville and West Fork. The turnaround spot will be Harp's grocery store in West Fork. Gardner said it will take about 1 1/2 hours to go one way from Lincoln to West Fork.
The new route is called Route 620 because it basically runs along U.S. 62. It will turn north onto Highway 71 to go to West Fork. Other stops may include NorthWest Arkansas Community College's Farmington Center, located at Farmington High.
A decision has not been made on whether to start the route each morning in Lincoln or West Fork, Gardner said. This will depend on public input and which community has a greater need earlier in the morning.
The schedule for Route 620 also has to be worked out. If, for example, the route starts at 6 a.m. Monday-Friday in Lincoln, then a bus would leave Lincoln about every three hours through 6 p.m. Under this scenario, a transit bus would stop in Prairie Grove, Farmington, Lot 56 in Fayetteville and then onto West Fork. From West Fork, it would head back to Lincoln, stopping at Lot 56, Farmington, Prairie Grove and Lincoln.
From Lot 56, riders can transfer to another Ozark Transit route or to the Razorback system to go other places in northwest Arkansas.
Fixed routes cost $1.25 per one way and transfers are free, Gardner said. The Razorback bus system is free for everyone.
General News on 04/09/2014