Jonesboro, Ark. – Arkansas State University and local transit provider GOJO have teamed up to offer free bus transportation for the university community. The partnership, announced as the fall semester begins, includes two on‑campus routes – Red Wolves 1 and Red Wolves 2 – that circulate around campus and connect to the broader Jonesboro public‑transit network.
Free rides for students, faculty and staff
Anyone with a valid A‑State ID can board any GOJO route at no charge. “GOJO and A‑State are proudly partnering together to provide free rides all over Jonesboro to A‑State students, faculty and staff,” said Lee Wells, director of GOJO. “Our two on‑campus routes provide constant transportation around campus and connect with the rest of Jonesboro’s public transit routes.”
GOJO marketing coordinator Ryan Brasher added that the service lets the university community “reliably navigate to Jonesboro’s many restaurants, stores and entertainment free of charge,” reinforcing the partnership’s goal of easing daily commutes and supporting local businesses.
Game‑day and event transportation
On football game days, GOJO will run a special Red Wolves Express service, allowing fans to avoid parking hassles and travel directly to the stadium. Service begins two hours before kickoff, pauses for halftime, and resumes until 30 minutes after the final whistle. Stops include downtown parking on Cate Avenue at Church Street and a drop‑off at the Yard restaurant on campus.
The first game‑day run is scheduled for the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12, which will be preceded by a concert featuring Lauren Alaina. “We are also excited to offer service for the Lauren Alaina concert beginning two hours before the start of the event,” Wells said.
Fare structure for adults and seniors
During game days, A‑State students, employees and children under six ride for free. Adults 18 and older pay $4 for a round‑trip ticket or $2 each way. Riders under 18, seniors and passengers with disabilities pay $1 per ride.
Season passes are available for $20 per person, with a discounted $10 rate for City of Jonesboro employees, students under 18, seniors, passengers with disabilities and veterans.
How to purchase tickets and passes
Individual round‑trip tickets and season passes can be bought in advance at the Jonesboro Municipal Building, City Collector’s Office, 300 S. Church St. Riders may also pay the one‑way fare on board the trolley; no season passes are sold on the bus.
Support for move‑in traffic
The buses also operated during move‑in week, giving students and their parents a convenient alternative to parking their cars and walking to residence halls. The service helped reduce congestion around the busy pedestrian zones on campus.
Getting route information
All route maps, schedules and stop locations are available in the GOJO app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For additional details, callers can reach GOJO at (870) 935‑5387.
This partnership reflects a growing trend of universities collaborating with local transit agencies to improve mobility, reduce traffic, and support families and students in navigating daily life.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
