Transit Alternatives Study

The Transit Alternatives Study (TAS) evaluates potential high-capacity transit alternatives to meet regional mobility needs and identifies a proposed regionally preferred alternative. The TAS and the regionally preferred alternative of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was adopted by the RPC/Policy Committee on February 25, 2026, by Resolution #2026-04.

• Transit Alternatives Study (TAS)
• APPENDIX A – Cost Estimation Details
• APPENDIX B – Scoring Criteria

The purpose of the TAS is to address the identified transportation challenges of rapid population, business, and land use growth through a multimodal analysis that leads to the development of a locally preferred alternative (LPA) for public transportation in the corridor. The TAS examined the benefits and costs of fixed rail, bus rapid transit, and light rail to best meet the needs of residents and visitors of the growing NWARPC region.

To meet this purpose, the project focused analysis on transit concepts that:

• Provide direct and accessible connections between major activity centers
• Provide safe, affordable, and competitive schedules and reliable travel times for the commuting workforce
• Expand access to healthcare, education, and employment centers
• Strengthen transit linkages between high-density housing areas and large employers
• Support future housing and economic development plans
• Support achievable construction, operational, and fiscal responsibilities

Click here for a project summary

2014 Transportation Alternatives Analysis (TAA)

Under the Alternatives Analysis program (49 U.S.C. 5339), NWARPC completed the 2014 Alternatives Analysis to evaluate reasonable modal and multimodal transit options, including light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit, along the Northwest Arkansas corridor. The study identified Commuter Rail on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad as the Locally Preferred Alternative, though no alternatives were deemed financially feasible at the time. Full reports and technical memoranda are below.

• Northwest Arkansas Alternatives Analysis Final Report
• Northwest Arkansas Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis: Transit Oriented Development Scenarios
• Modeling Transit Ridership – Special Markets Technical Memorandum
• National Transit Data for Razorback Transit and Ozark Regional Transit 2007-2012

The report presented the following recommendations:

• The Northwest Arkansas Region should create and adopt an integrated land use and transportation plan that is based on promotion of mixed use development patterns.
• Communities in NWA could become “transit ready” ahead of a system being built.
• Keep the development focused in the urban corridor.
• Look for ways to add energy and developer interest in the communities and downtown areas between Fayetteville and Bentonville.
• In addition to the rail Locally Preferred Alternative along the A&M, begin a stage development of high quality Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along US 71B.