Getting there

Will NWA embrace a mass transit future?

The challenge for Northwest Arkansas advocates for more effective (i.e., used) mass transit isn’t so much destination as it is navigation.

It seems most people understand a growing Northwest Arkansas must develop real options for mass transit that convinces drivers to stow their keys for many trips. Without it, the region risks choking on its own growth. It’s worth noting that not everyone has to go carless for mass transit to make a big difference. If the region develops mass transit options that only shifts 5 or 10 percent of the population away from individual auto use, it would have a significant impact on traffic congestion.

But how will Northwest Arkansas get there?

People continue to move into the region. Roads and highways, even as millions in local, state and federal tax dollars are spent to expand capacity, are still crowded. We’re not hearing anyone advance an expectation that Arkansas as a whole stands a chance of catching up on its highway and bridge needs. Indeed, our Legislature refused to put a highway funding program on the 2018 ballot, so the Arkansas Highway Commission is going rogue, hoping to convince voters to petition to put an funding program on the ballot.

Even if they’re successful, much of the funding will go to maintaining what exists rather than expanding capacity.

For years, infrastructure advocates for Northwest Arkansas have engaged in a lot of talk. The sexier proposal is socalled light rail train system that would quickly move people along the northsouth Interstate 49/U.S. 71B corridor. Developing such a system, because of its billion-dollar cost estimates, is often viewed as a pie-in-the-sky daydream of urban and transportation planners.

More lately, the talk has shifted to bus rapid transit, a concept that would require a smaller, but still significant, investment.

How does it work? Organizers would target the U.S. 71B corridor for a bus rapid transit system, most likely with endpoints somewhere in Fayetteville and Bentonville. Bus stations would be developed along the route to give people a comfortable place to wait short durations — perhaps as little as 15 minutes — before the next bus arrives. Buses would, by using technology, have priority passage at intersections along the route to quicken their pace of movement through the region. In essence, they wouldn’t just become another vehicle stuck in traffic, but a mechanism for getting through traffic.

Imagine how nice it would be to let someone else drive, especially someone who has a magic pass to get passengers to their destinations quickly.

As with such ideas, advocates are hoping for a pilot project to work out the complexities of coordinating with different cities and the state Highway Department. The KFH Group of Austin, Texas, is studying the possibilities in Northwest Arkansas. Nobody should believe development of a bus rapid transit system will be easy, said Ken Hosen, leader of the study funded by the Walton Family Foundation.

“There is nothing easy about this, absolutely nothing easy. I want to make sure that is understood,” he told. “This is a challenging project for us and much more for you guys. But, there is will and the outreach has indicated the local mayors, chamber of commerce directors and the residents have a lot of enthusiasm.”

But do they have money?

Advocates estimate a one-year pilot project could cost nearly $10 million.

“My experience at the city is we have a lot of people who want things but they come down to the cost and then the interest changes,” said Don Marr, chief of staff for Fayetteville. “When I’m sitting here going 16 to 18 buses, a million-two in stations, it seems like a pretty expensive pilot to me.”

When a city leader from Fayetteville, among the strongest advocates for area mass transit, is struggling to get on board with an expansion, it’s a pretty good indicator of the uphill challenges it faces.

As with so much, this issue will boil down to money and public behavior. A bus system costing millions is a waste if it doesn’t convince drivers to become riders.

When it comes to mass transit, Northwest Arkansas has a history of dipping its toe in the water. Then that’s about as far as it goes. What the consultants appear to suggest is that the region won’t get to its destination without, sooner or later, making a massive commitment. Adding one or two buses here and there simply won’t change people’s behaviors. And the cars (and related pollution and wasted time) will continue to stack up.

Is this one of those regional developments like the construction of Beaver Lake or the building of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport that is central to the long-term viability of this region? It very well could be.

Our guess? Local communities will study it. They’ll discuss it. They’ll imagine what it could be like. Then, when it’s time to pony up the money, they’ll continue focusing their limited resources on immediate needs, not those still years ahead.

And 25, 40 and 50 years from now, those living in Northwest Arkansas will look back and wonder why nobody had the foresight to plan for the region’s growth.

In other words, Northwest Arkansas will be no different than most localities and respond immediately once a problem can no longer be ignored.