Those local funds entitle the city to receive more than $2 million in state and federal grants, city officials said. The transit system receives 3 percent, or about $450,000, of Fort Smith’s portion of a 1 percent Sebastian County sales tax. “I think the commission was wanting assurances we wouldn’t have problems with fare. Passengers must show the bus driver a valid return ticket to make sure they don’t gamble away their return fare, he noted. The trip to the casino will take about two-and-a-half minutes longer, Savage said. So we felt like we could accommodate that on an on-call basis or by request,” Savage said. They’re walking some distance to the casino.
“Now some passengers heading for the casino hike from the closest bus stop on Arkansas 271. He noted the casino’s parking lot is located within Fort Smith city limits. The transit service, which started in June 1996, handles about 200,000 passenger trips annually, said Transit Director Ken Savage. In response to customer demand, the city of Fort Smith will offer bus service to Choctaw Casino in nearby Pocola, Oklahoma beginning March 1. The service will add about two-and-a-half minutes to the regular casino trip. The casino's parking lot is located within Fort Smith city limits. Visitors to Choctaw Casino in Pocola, Oklahoma can board a bus in Fort Smith, Arkansas starting March 1, as long as they can show proof of a return fare.
