Rock Region Metro
| Company type | Public transportation authority |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Central Arkansas Transit Authority |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Fate | Rebranded from Central Arkansas Transit Authority in 2015 |
| Headquarters | Little Rock , United States |
Area served | Pulaski County, Arkansas |
| Products | Bus service, paratransit, Metro Streetcar heritage line |
| Website | rockregionmetro |
Rock Region Metropolitan Transit Authority (commonly known as Rock Region Metro) stands as Arkansas's premier public transportation provider, previously identified as the Central Arkansas Transit Authority. Serving Pulaski County, it manages 25 bus lines, which include four express commuter routes, alongside an ADA-compliant paratransit service named LINKS that operates on a demand-response basis. Additionally, the agency oversees the Metro Streetcar, a 3.4-mile heritage line that connects downtown Little Rock with North Little Rock. In 2022, Rock Region Metro achieved a total ridership of 1,750,545 passengers.
Background
Prior to the formation of the Central Arkansas Transit Authority, transit operations in the area were privately controlled. Up until 1950, Arkansas Power & Light (AP&L), now Entergy Arkansas, managed the transit system. AP&L then sold it to local investors who formed Capital Transportation Company (CTC), which faced financial difficulties exacerbated by a transit union strike during 1955-56.
In 1956, the franchise was awarded to Citizens' Coach Company (CCC), supported by local labor unions in Little Rock and North Little Rock. Despite this backing, CCC encountered financial failure by 1962 due to declining revenues and escalating labor costs. Twin City Transit (TCT) assumed control in 1962, benefiting from federal funding that facilitated bus fleet modernization and temporary fiscal stabilization. Nevertheless, growing service demands outpaced fare adjustments.
A study conducted in 1971 recommended transitioning to public ownership through a regional authority. As a result, Central Arkansas Transit began operations under Metroplan in 1972. However, due to insufficient resources for sustainable management and local governments seeking increased governance and funding roles, CATA was established in 1986 via an interlocal agreement involving Pulaski County and cities such as Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle, Sherwood, and Jacksonville. Cammack Village withdrew its financial support in 2006.
On August 12, 2015, the agency rebranded from Central Arkansas Transit Authority to Rock Region Metro to better represent its regional scope and expanded range of services.
Bus Routes
| #1 | Pulaski Heights | #10 | McCain Mall | #19 | Hensley Express |
| #2 | South Main | #11 | Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Drive | #20 | Hanger Hill/College Station |
| #3 | Baptist Medical Center | #12 | Clinton Center/Airport | #21 | Riverdale |
| #4 | Levy/Amboy | #13 | Pulaski Tech | #22 | University/Mabelvale |
| #5 | West Markham | #14 | Rosedale | #23 | Baseline/Southwest |
| #6 | Granite Mountain | #16 | UALR | #25 | Pinnacle Mountain Express |
| #7 | Shorter College | #17 | Mabelvale-Downtown | #26 | Maumelle/Oak Grove Express |
| #8 | Rodney Parham | #18 | McAlmont | #36 | Jacksonville/Sherwood Express |
| #9 | West Central/Barrow Road |
Streetcars
The Metro Streetcar system began operations in November 2004 under the name River Rail Streetcar and was rebranded in 2015. Covering a distance of 3.4 miles across Little Rock and North Little Rock, it primarily serves downtown residents and tourists. According to a 2012 economic analysis, this heritage streetcar has stimulated notable capital investments, increased sales and property tax revenues, contributed to downtown population growth, and enhanced tourism within the region.
River Cities Travel Center
Established in August 2000 as the central downtown transfer point, River Cities Travel Center (RCTC) was developed at a cost of $4 million. It occupies the entire block bordered by Rock Street, Capitol Avenue, Cumberland Street, and 4th Street. In 2021, Rock Region Metro considered expanding RCTC to incorporate transit-oriented development elements. As of January 2016, the center is served by 22 fixed routes along with four express routes and also operates as the agency’s main sales and information hub. Moreover, five fixed routes (#3, #5, #8, #9, and #22) meet at the Midtown Target stop to enable smooth transfers within west-central Little Rock.
Microtransit
Rock Region METRO offers an on-demand ride service through its Via App, branded as Metro Connect Rock Region. Initially launched in 2020 with a pilot zone in John Barrow, this service was extended to Conway in October 2022—marking the introduction of contemporary public transit there—and further expanded to Sherwood in 2024. Presently, Metro Connect operates across six areas including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, and Conway.
Current Fleet
The entire bus fleet consists of models manufactured by Gillig Corporation, specifically using the Low Floor design.
Bus
| Vehicle Numbers | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2101-2107; 2109 | 2001 | 35FT |
| 2301-2309 | 2003 | 35FT |
| 2401-2407 | 2004 | 29FT |
| 2701-2705 | 2007 | 35FT |
| 2706 | 2007 | 40FT |
| 2801-2810 | 2008 | 40FT |
| 2901-2904 | 2009 | 40FT |
| 2905-2907 | 2009 | 35FT |
| 1001-1004 | 2010 | 40FT |
Paratransit
All paratransit vehicles are built on ElDorado National chassis.
| Vehicle Numbers | Model | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2851-2857 | Aero Elite | 2008 | Chevrolet C4500 Cutaway |
| 2961-2963 | Aero Elite | 2009 | Chevrolet C4500 Cutaway; Jayco Chassis |
| 2954-2965 | Aero Elite | 2008 | Chevrolet C5500 Cutaway |
| 1251-1252 | Aero Tech | 2012 | Chevrolet G4500 Express Van Cutaway |
Rail
The rail vehicles are Replica Birney models produced by Gomaco Trolley Company.
| Vehicle Numbers | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 408 | 2002 | |
| 409-410 | 2003 | |
| 411-412 | 2006 |
Future
Rock Region Metro is actively involved in MOVE Central Arkansas, a comprehensive long-term transit planning program. Proposed improvements include higher service frequency, expanded coverage reaching outlying communities, introduction of Sunday service on all routes, and upgraded bus stop amenities.
Studies examining the expansion of the Metro Streetcar suggest extending lines to key destinations such as the Arkansas State Capitol, Clinton National Airport, and along Main Street corridors in downtown Little Rock as well as North Little Rock’s Mid-City area.
Fixed route ridership
The figures below represent ridership exclusively for fixed-route services and do not include demand response operations.