History & Overview

North Arkansas Transportation Service began operation primarily as a commuter service providing low cost transportation to the work place for those employees who live in the most rural areas of the counties served. The commuter routes are called subscription routes. The drivers of the commuter routes are volunteer drivers who work at the businesses served by the vehicle. They get their ride to work in return for driving the van. All other riders pay a nominal fee based on the distance they ride one way. The current rate schedule ranges from $18.75 – $23.75 per week. NATS currently operates six commuter routes serving Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Fulton and Izard Counties.

NATS has streamlined throughout the years and now not only provides low cost transportation for employment but deviated fixed route service in both Harrison and Mountain Home. A Demand Response service that requires advance scheduling serving both the Mountain Home and Harrison areas was started in 2001. NATS provided 108,288 low cost transportation trips during the year 2018. During the year 2018 NATS vehicles traveled in excess of 712,100 miles serving the citizens of our service area. NATS has intrastate and interstate route authority including Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, and Searcy counties.

For more information regarding the services NATS provide call 870-741-8008 or contact Jack Chisum at email.

Public Notice

Notice is hereby given that the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, Inc. (NWAEDD) is seeking financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Grant funds will be used to continue operations for North Arkansas Transportation Service (NATS) in the Counties of Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, and Searcy.  NATS service is a Demand Response service. NATS service operates Monday through Friday.  NATS hours vary according to passenger schedules. NATS transports both Medicaid and General Public passengers for medical, shopping, personal, and other incidental purposes as may be approved by the NATS Director. NATS requires advance reservations prior to using this service.  Appointments may be made by calling the scheduling office at 870-741-8008. Copies of the grant proposal are available for inspection by the public at the NWAEDD Plaza 818 Highway 62-65-412 North, Harrison, Arkansas, or the NATS office at 108 Sisco Avenue, Harrison, Arkansas. Any person wishing to request a public hearing on the proposed project must submit that request in writing to the attention of Jack Chisum, NATS Director at P.O. Box 190, Harrison, Arkansas 72602-0190 prior to November 16, 2020.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The North Arkansas Transportation Service – NATS complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibited discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Therefore, the North Arkansas Transportation Service – NATS does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion or disability, in the admission, access to and treatment in North Arkansas Transportation Service – NATS programs and activities, as well as the North Arkansas Transportation Service – NATS hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding the North Arkansas Transportation Service – NATS nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Jack Chisum, Director of Transportation, (ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator), P. O. Box 190, Harrison, AR 72602-0190, 870-741-6650, or the following email address: jchisum@nwaedd.org.

This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille.