Have carry-on items? Packages, Carts, or Groceries
We like to keep our policies simple. Safety first. If your cart is expands to an approved size see details below and is foldable, approved! 4 grocery bags or less, approved! If your bags can be safely secured on your lap while in your control without hindering other passengers ability to sit, approved!
On-Demand: Please give our drivers grace. They have safety and procedure. If your cart is larger than 24 x 24 inches your cart will not be allowed on the bus. Please limit them to no more than four groceries (or similar-sized) bags. Personal items should be able to fit in your lap and should not block aisles.
Fixed route: Please give our drivers grace. They have safety and procedure. If your cart is larger than 24 x 24 inches your cart will not be allowed on the bus. Please limit them to no more than four groceries (or similar-sized) bags. Personal items should be able to fit in your lap and should not block aisles.
If your cart is overloaded with bags, prohibited. If your cart is too large or is unable to fold to stow, prohibited. If your bags can not be safely on your lap and in your control or hinders other passengers ability to sit, prohibited.
On-Demand or Fixed route: Riding With…
Baggage – ordinary hand baggage and packages or articles that can be carried without inconvenience to other passengers and can be carried in one trip on or off the bus.
Children – children 11 and under must be accompanied by passenger 12 and older. Babies and toddlers must be taken out of strollers or carriages and placed either on the adult/caregiver’s lap or safely in the adjoining seat. Car seats are not a requirement on public transit.
Carriages and Strollers – baby carriages or strollers may be carried on board only when folded and do not block the aisles.
Carts – personal shopping carts may be carried on board so long as they do not block the aisle.
Walk aids and stand-up walkers – it is preferred that walkers be folded so as not to interfere with the free use of the aisles.
Riding with Animals
If your animal is not in an approved carrier before getting on the bus. Our driver will ask “Is this a service animal?” If your answer is yes...
Service animals are: Updated 5/25/2023 to add www.ada.gov source.
Dogs
Any breed and any size of dog
Trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability
Service animals are not:
Required to be certified or go through a professional training program
Required to wear a vest or other ID that indicates they’re a service dog
Emotional support or comfort dogs, because providing emotional support or comfort is not a task related to a person’s disability
Service animals perform tasks to help a person with disabilities live independently. Service animals must always be under control of the animal owner, and not be allowed to block the aisle or sit on the seats of the bus.
If your answer is yes… under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a public transportation company is allowed to ask an individual with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal to describe what task or service the animal has been trained to perform. This is because service animals are defined as animals that are trained to perform specific tasks or services for people with disabilities. However, transportation companies are not allowed to ask for documentation or proof that the animal is a service animal or demand that the animal demonstrate its task or service. Note: Our drivers will NOT ask for any other information other than your verbal confirmation, yes or no and what service the service animal provides. We do not charge extra fees for the animal or discriminate against the individual with a disability and their service animal. Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Are emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals considered service animals under the ADA?
No. These terms are used to describe animals that provide comfort just by being with a person. Because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. However, some State or local governments have laws that allow people to take emotional support animals into public places. You may check with your State and local government agencies to find out about these laws. https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/#definition-of-a-service-animal
If your animal is not in an approved carrier before getting on the bus. Our driver will ask “Is this a service animal?” If your answer is no…
Pets – pets are allowed on the bus as long as they are in the control of the owner and in an approved animal carrier that is leak proof. Adheres to the animal size requirements, is leakproof, provides adequate airflow and keeps your pet securely inside.
Where to?
We hope this helps ease some nerves if you're new to Northwest Arkansas' public transportation system or if you're a regular, we hope this helped clarify a few long-standing policies. We're excited to serve you and look forward to getting you where you need to go! Using the bus system in Northwest Arkansas can be a great way to explore the region, save money, and foster independence. While it can be intimidating at first, with a little planning and preparation, you can make the most of your experience. So why not give it a try? Hop on the bus and start exploring! https://www.ozark.org/schedules-maps