Ozark Regional Transit Celebrates Record Ridership; Launches Smarter Travel Tools for 2025

Ozark Regional Transit (ORT) is growing and moving forward faster than ever, with over 200,000 rides already recorded this year—the earliest point in a given year for this milestone to have been reached in our history—places us on pace to set a new all-time ridership record in 2025.

To keep up with this momentum, ORT is prepared to install 20+ new bus shelters around the region in partnership with participating municipalities. Installation will be on a first-request and first-site-preparation/first-installation basis. These new shelters will provide safer, more comfortable spaces for riders across Benton and Washington Counties. But that’s only the beginning of a smarter, more connected transit experience. ORT is proud to announce a new, ongoing endeavor with CityMapper, www.citymapper.com a leading global transit app that helps riders plan their trips in real-time—combining walking, biking, buses, and ride-sharing into one seamless journey.

“This is a major step toward making public transportation in Northwest Arkansas more reliable, more accessible, and more rider-friendly than ever before,” said Joel Gardner, Executive Director of Ozark Regional Transit Authority. “With CityMapper and our ongoing investments in infrastructure, ORT is not just keeping pace with our growing region—we’re shaping its future.”

What Riders Can Expect:

• Real-time bus arrival updates and service alerts through the CityMapper app.

  
  

• Dynamic trip planning that prioritizes speed and convenience across multiple travel modes.

  
  

• QR codes at bus stops (starting along 8th Street in Bentonville and expanding system-wide) for instant route information.

  
  

• New shelters designed to enhance safety, comfort, and accessibility