Dateline: Jonesboro, AR., November 6, 2024 –The City of Jonesboro transportation department has taken massive steps to further advance its outreach to the community. The Director, Lee Wells, has advocated for the transportation department to be more involved with hard-working residents of Jonesboro. With the start of the Jet Facebook & Instagram page that task is already underway by improving transparency such as delays and road closures. The overall outlook for the coming months is that Jet will be a staple in the community as one of the most dependable sources of transportation in the Jonesboro area. 

Trolleys in Jonesboro? Yes, you have probably already heard, the Jet department has received some new bus trolleys that will make getting around Jonesboro much more nostalgic and enjoyable. With over two million dollars in funding through the low-to-no emissions grant the city has been provided the opportunity to replace an aging fleet and expand current routes enabling service to more residents. Routes have been expanded from three to four to make the timing of waiting for public transportation shorter and more convenient. Along with the addition of the four routes there has also been a major effort put forth to place more sheltered stops along the roadways to help protect against the weather while waiting for the buses to arrive. With a $750,000 facilities grant, the City of Jonesboro will have the ability to upgrade 27 sheltered stops and add an additional 20 shelters to stops that previously did not have them. With this new focus on shelters and upgrades, the city of Jonesboro can improve the needs of the community with their transit system. 

Paratransit is a Jet service that helps get patrons with mobility limitations to doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping, social services, etc., is also getting several upgrades. With 6 new ADA compliant vehicles customers that cannot use the regular bus service will be able to commute from their homes to their requested locations within Jonesboro. Additionally, the new paratransit upgrades encompass new software that allows modernizing our fleets by optimizing routing to increase productivity, which in turn will allow for further improving our social engagement. 

“Jet and the City of Jonesboro are thrilled for all the grant opportunities enabling us to bring our transit service into a more up to date standard and service more of our community.” says an enthusiastic Lee Wells. Jet is committed to MOVING FORWARD!