Using the Little Rock Public Transportation System

Whether you call the Natural State home or you are just visiting one of our local attractions such as the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center and Park, Little Rock's public transit system can be a great way to get around as it is both economical and fun.

The system, dubbed CAT for Central Arkansas Transit, provides many ways to get around the state's capitol city, including commuter shuttle service, regular bus routes, street cars, special shuttles, paratransit service and charter buses. The system's main depot from which all routes are accessible is called the River Cities Travel Center and is located in downtown Little Rock.

First, CAT has three Express shuttle services for commuters coming into the central city from outlying areas. Route 26 provides a shuttle from the Maumelle area, convenient for folks coming from the west including places like Mayflower and Conway who can utilize the Park and Ride facility. Route 36, also dubbed the Jacksonville/Sherwood Express, provides services for commuters from northern Pulaski County cities. Finally, the Route 25 Pinnacle Mountain Express provides services for commuters coming from Highway 25 and the Roland area. All of these routes are ran twice a day - in the morning, they depart from their respective service areas to the River Cities Travel Center, and in the afternoon, they leave from downtown returning to the outlying areas where they originated. The great thing about these services is that they cost the same as regular bus routes, and your 31-day bus pass includes Express service trips.

Regular bus routes traverse Little Rock and North Little Rock. The routes go to places like the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College, the Clinton Library, and three shopping malls. Rides cost $1.25 one way throughout the system - a 31-day system-wide pass is $34, an excellent deal when you use it in conjunction with Express service.

CAT's street car system, The River Rail, is a unique way to get around downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock. The traditional suspended street car rail system goes throughout downtown Little Rock including the Clinton Library, and crosses into North Little Rock at the Main Street bridge. One-way trips on the River Rail cost $0.50 per round trip.

If a special event brings you to Central Arkansas, CAT routinely provides special routes to serve convention-goers. For example, CAT provides a free shuttle from downtown to the Alltel Arena in North Little Rock for all major events at the arena including basketball games and conventions. The shuttles start running about one hour before the event starts, and as mentioned earlier, are totally free.

CAT provides a paratransit service for folks who have to get to places that don't have bus stops. The service, called Links Paratransit, provides curb-to-curb service for eligible customers. Paratransit rides are very reasonable - just $2.50 one way.

Also, if your group or organization needs to charter a bus, CAT has you covered. Contact the group at their website, www.cat.org, for more information.

CAT's website also has all the route and schedule information to plan your next trip through Arkansas's capitol city.