Every morning before sunrise, dozens of commuters show up at Rock Region Region Metro bus stops throughout Central Arkansas. Travelers clutch onto their bags, backpacks, and hope for a smooth ride.
For riders like Ashish Bhakta, the bus is a lifeline to daily work shifts, doctor’s appointments, schools, and errands.
“I’m one of the people with disabilities who’s fortunate enough to be able to get up in the morning and go to work and, you know, do a full time job. But my being able to do so is contingent upon certain resources, one of those being public transit.”…