Central Arkansas Library System: CALS Partners With Rock Region METRO For Rides To Reads

Press release from the Central Arkansas Library System:

2021-10-05

Free bus passes available for library patrons.

In partnership with Rock Region METRO, the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) Rides to Reads program offers library patrons free Rock Region METRO transportation within Pulaski County. Once registered, users will receive a 60-day pass. Additional passes can be picked up at any Little Rock CALS branch every two months throughout the year.

“Transportation is a barrier for some families in our community,” said Lisa Donovan, Deputy Executive Director at CALS. “The fare agreement between Rock Region METRO and CALS not only provides a free resource to families that might need to visit the library, but families can use their Rides to Reads pass to get to the grocery store, visit a park, or make a doctor’s appointment. We are excited to be able to offer this service to our library patrons.”

Interested patrons can register in person at the Main Library, 100 Rock Street, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Registration with the library system is required to participate in the Rides to Reads program, and users must have a Rides to Reads photo ID made onsite when picking up their first pass. Subsequent passes may be picked up at any Little Rock CALS branch. Each user must register for the program individually and pick up their pass in person.

“METRO serves nine CALS branches and counting and has successfully partnered with the library system through a previous grant connecting children to healthy meals during the summer when school is not in session. With Rides to Reads, we look forward to extending the community access to opportunity that public transit provides, throughout the entire year, for interested residents. Especially as the coronavirus pandemic wanes, providing essential connections through affordable public transit plays a vital role in our region’s economic recovery,” said METRO Chief Executive Officer Charles Frazier.

For more information, visit cals.org/rides-to-reads-program, or contact the Main Library at 501-918-3000 or send an email to askcals@cals.org.

This press release was produced by the Central Arkansas Library System. The views expressed are the author's own.