Transit
Transit Agencies Support
NWARPC is the designated recipient for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers AR-MO Urbanized Area for the Urbanized Area Formula Grants that are apportioned by FTA. The apportioned Section 5339 and Section 5307 FTA Urbanized Area Formula funds are utilized by Ozark Regional Transit (ORT) and University of Arkansas Razorback Transit for capital, operating assistance, preventative maintenance, ADA paratransit service and enhancements.
In 2022 ORT completed the Bus Stop Enhancement Plan in an effort to improve bus stops throughout the Northwest Arkansas region. The Plan provides a full understanding of existing conditions and a path forward to implementing improvements. This Plan is intended to be utilized in coordination with Connect Northwest Arkansas, the region’s guide for expanded transit services.
Program of Projects (POP)
The POP is a list of projects proposed by the designated recipient to be funded from the urbanized area’s Section 5307 apportionment in the current federal fiscal year. The POP is developed in coordination with the transit agencies and with respect to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The current Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Program of Projects (POP) can be found here:
FY 2021 & FY 2022 POPs were amended by the RPC/Policy Committee on October 25, 2023
NOTE: The public participation procedures outlined in the NWARPC Public Participation Plan (PPP) with respect to TIP development serve as the public participation process required for the development of transit projects as per FTA Circular 9030.1E. Specifically, the public participation procedures outlined in the PPP will serve to satisfy the Program of Projects (POP) requirements of the Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program for the University of Arkansas/Razorback Transit and Ozark Regional Transit. The Northwest Arkansas Regional Transportation Study (NARTS) and any and all public transit operators will address the POP requirements as per FTA Circular 9030.1E. Additionally, any and all public transit operator’s capital projects and operational costs are included in the NARTS TIP which is developed through a cooperative and collaborative process with interested parties and other private and public transportation providers.
FTA Section 5339 Subrecipient Monitoring
NWARPC monitors subrecipients Ozark Regional Transit, Inc. (ORT) and the University of Arkansas Razorback Transit. In order for NWARPC to satisfy FTA subrecipient monitoring requirements, the NWARPC Subrecipient Monitoring Guide for FTA Section 5339 Grants was developed in spring 2017. The purpose of the Monitoring Guide is to ensure that all technical specifications and contract requirements are met by subrecipients and to monitor compliance with FTA requirements for the life of FTA Section 5339-funded projects that are maintained by subrecipients.
Transit Surveys
In February 2018, NWARPC contracted a qualified consultant firm to conduct an on-board transit survey consisting of a sample from all of the fixed routes of the two transit agencies operating in Northwest Arkansas. This survey is used to better inform the trip origin and mode to transit stops for both transit systems and will serve a dual purpose of informing the Northwest Arkansas Travel Demand Model and a Transit Development Plan (TDP). The survey will also conduct select cross tabulated analysis of the data collected and prepare a report to summarize the findings and conclusions.
The System Wide Origin and Destination Survey was completed in March 2018. During this period, interviewers with tablet computers asked randomly selected passengers questions about their transit trips. The final report and tabulated data of the survey can be found here. For further details about how the survey was conducted and its intent, please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) document here.
Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan
On April 4, 2018, NWARPC passed a resolution to sponsor the Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan for the region, which includes Ozark Regional Transit and Razorback Transit. While each agency within NWARPC will have their own individual plan due to difference in services provided and replacement needs, the NWARPC has adopted performance measures that both agencies will seek to meet or exceed.
