It all started with a simple observation. When construction forced a Razorback Transit terminal at Union Station to be temporarily closed, the stops were moved to an unshaded area of campus, on Maple St. A university employee noticed students searching for a way to get out of the sun and wondered aloud if a canopy of some sort could be erected to help keep transit riders a little cooler in the extreme heat. Within a couple of days, a canopy was in place, complete with complimentary chilled water.

Construction on Garland Avenue near the Arkansas Union and Union Station caused the temporary move of Red and Blue transit stops to stops set up near the University House and Davis Hall. Tan, Green and Purple routes now stop on Maple at the Law School. The Union Station stops are set to reopen, ahead of schedule, at 7 a.m.  Monday, July 30.

“The heat has been so intense that we wanted to do something for the health and comfort of transit riders who were inconvenienced by this temporary situation,” said John Diamond, associate vice chancellor of university relations. “The extra shade and water have been well received.”

Providing comfort to transit riders was truly a team effort, with facilities management staff providing a gazebo and chairs, PepsiCo contributing coolers and bottled water, Chartwell’s supplying ice to keep the drinks cool, and staff and interns from university advancement volunteering to coordinate the water giveaways.

“On behalf of everyone at transit and parking, we’d like to say thank you to everyone who contributed to making the temporary bus stops more convenient for all riders,” said Gary Smith, director of transit and parking.

Those with questions concerning the temporary location change of Razorback transit stops are asked to contact Transit and Parking at transit@uark.edu or 575-RIDE (7433).