SPRINGDALE -- Changes to the Ozark Regional Transit bus schedules in Benton County will start today.
Budget shortfalls prompted the changes, according to transit officials. All intra-city routes will end service an hour and a half earlier each day and frequency will be reduced on the express route along Interstate 49.
Rogers routes 51 and 52 and Bentonville Route 11 will cease operations at 5:35 p.m. and 5:45 p.m respectively, each day. Beginning times each day will not change.
In addition, the Route 490 Express will be reduced from two buses a day to one.
The bus system in December said it was facing a $338,000 funding shortfall for 2018. It has asked cities and counties for additional contributions and made reductions.
Fayetteville increased its funding by $122,000 so its residents will see no reduction in services. Rogers and Bentonville opted against any additional money. Springdale is still weighing its options.
NW News on 02/19/2018