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Committee forwards 3-year pilot transit agreement with Arkansas State University, adds six driver positions
Summary
The committee voted to forward a resolution approving a transit service agreement with Arkansas State University and a FY2025 budget amendment to add four full-time drivers and two paratransit drivers. The contract is a three-year pilot with a 90-day termination clause and includes free rides for ASU students and faculty using university IDs.
The City of Jonesboro Finance & Administration Committee voted to forward Resolution 25-099 to full council, authorizing a transit service agreement with Arkansas State University and an amendment to the FY2025 budget to add four full-time drivers and two full-time paratransit drivers.
Lee, a city staff member, said the additional positions are required to provide the requested service level for Arkansas State University and to accommodate expected growth in paratransit demand. "Anytime we are expanding any type of service, there comes with that a required expansion for paratransit as well," Lee said. Committee members asked whether the campus service would reduce city service; staff said it would not and that the agreement is structured so the city will not "rob" existing city service.
The contract described in the discussion is a three-year pilot program and includes a clause allowing either party to terminate the agreement with 90 days' written notice. One key provision in the agreement is that ASU faculty and students will ride the city's "jet service" for free when they present university-issued ID. Staff said drivers will record passenger boardings using a tablet fare system that distinguishes fare types; staff will track student usage and later assess service adjustments. Initial rollout will not increase the number of pickup locations, though staff said minor route adjustments are planned to include campus stops and to improve city coverage.
Committee members recommended an outreach and education plan developed in collaboration with ASU to help students — including non-English speakers — find stops and understand the service. Staff said the city and the university will coordinate on maps and communication.
The committee approved forwarding the agreement to full council by voice vote.
Why it matters: The pilot will extend city transit service to campus users, change staffing levels in the transit department and collect ridership data to determine whether the service should continue or be altered after the three-year pilot.
