AR: 9 Applicants Contend to Lead Central Arkansas Transit Agency

The Rock Region Metro board is reviewing the backgrounds and qualifications of nine candidates a research firm has recommended to lead the transit agency beset by declining ridership, funding dependent upon local governments and an expiring union contract.

The search firm, Springfield/Waters, culled the list to eight men and one woman from a total of 20 applicants from 17 states. The board will hold a special meeting April 9 to narrow the list further for in-person interviews.

The board is looking to replace Jarod Varner at a time when ridership in transit is declining nationwide, thanks to lower fuel costs, increased teleworking, high car ownership and the rise of ride-hailing alternatives such as Uber, according to researchers.

Read the complete article and finalists at http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/mar/27/9-applicants-contend-to-lead-transit-ag/?f=news-arkansas