All Aboard! The Future of Transit in Northwest Arkansas – I Am Northwest Arkansas® Podcast Newsletter

In partnership with

Hey Folks,

We’re back with another edition of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® newsletter, bringing you the latest conversations that shape our dynamic region. This week, we’re tackling one of the hottest topics affecting our fast-growing community: the future of public transportation.

🚍 EPISODE HIGHLIGHT: “ORT On Demand" with Joel Gardner

On this week’s episode, host Randy Wilburn sat down with Joel Gardner, Executive Director at Ozark Regional Transit (ORT), for an in-depth discussion on the region’s evolving transit landscape. With decades of experience, from Reno to now NWA, Joel’s insights hit right at the intersection of growth, innovation, and community stewardship.

What You’ll Learn:

• The Freedom of Transit: Joel explains how public transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about freedom and expanding opportunities for everyone, whether you’re a student, a senior, or a young professional.

• ORT On Demand: Discover why ORT On Demand is a game-changer for local mobility—think of it as “Uber without the sticker shock.” Randy’s own kids are fans!

• Community Connections: Learn how ORT’s new facility doubles as a public asset for meetings and engagement, growing awareness and involvement in local transit issues.

• Challenges & Solutions: Get the real scoop on funding struggles, rapid population growth, and what it’ll take—from better salaries for drivers to visionary investments—for the region to keep pace with rising demand.

• Tech in Transit: From the user-friendly ORT On Demand app (with bike options!) to tools like Citymapper, the digital age is transforming how NWA moves.

• A Call to Action: Joel and Randy encourage listeners to try ORT On Demand, especially parents of teens, and to become advocates for smarter, collective transit solutions.

Why This Matters: Northwest Arkansas is at a crucial crossroads. Our growth is rapid, our need for accessible, reliable transit is huge, and the choices we make today will shape what life here looks like in 2030 and beyond. Joel puts it simply: “Either invest all the way, or stop pretending.”

Your Turn!

• Download the ORT On Demand app and give it a whirl—use it for your next trip downtown, getting your teen to practice, or just to see what the buzz is about!

• Explore tools like Citymapper to see your transit, rideshare, and bike options in one place.

• Spread the Word: Have a group or nonprofit in need of meeting space? ORT opens its doors to community organizations—just bring cookies!

🎧 Listen Now Catch the full episode for more stories, advice, and “a-ha!” moments you won’t want to miss. Listen here! (Or wherever you get your podcasts.)

This week’s episode featuring Ozark Regional Transit is made possible by the generous support of the Walton Family Foundation. The Foundation’s Home Region Program is passionate about improving quality of life in Northwest Arkansas, with a key focus on strengthening our region’s transportation and mobility. We’re grateful for their commitment to building more connected, accessible communities—making conversations like this one possible as we explore the future of transit in Northwest Arkansas.

Thank you for being an engaged part of the NWA community! Want to see better transit options? It starts with us. If you see Joel Gardner around, buy him a coffee and say thanks for championing the cause.

Stay curious, keep growing, and see you around NWA!

With gratitude, The I Am Northwest Arkansas® Podcast Team

P.S. Got feedback or a story idea? Hit reply or visit iamnorthwestarkansas.com to get in touch!

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.