Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Several changes are coming this Tuesday to GOJO, Jonesboro’s public transportation service, including fare rate increases and fare capping.
GOJO leadership first announced at a city council meeting in June that fare rate increases and a fare-capping system were being considered. The fare increases are to account for rising fuel and maintenance costs.
“We’re trying not to raise them astronomically,” said GOJO marketing coordinator Ryan Brasher. “This is one of the first fare changes that we’ve done in the 20 years that JETS/GOJO has existed. So, the entire time it was JETS, we never raised our prices, or at least none that we could find.”
The rate increases, which go into effect Tuesday, Sept. 1, are below:
- Standard fare: Increase from $1.25 to $2
- Adult students (who do not attend Arkansas State University): Increase from $0.90 to $1.50
- A-State students, faculty and staff with a valid ID will still ride for free.
- Reduced fare riders (veterans, seniors, youth, and those on Medicare): Increase from $0.60 to $1
GOJO was previously known as JETS (Jonesboro Economical Transit System). It was rebranded in early 2026.
Also starting Sept. 1 is the implementation of fare capping, a system that tracks riders with registered accounts as they make their trips. Riders who create an account can then preload it with money. Once their rides reach the cost of a daily, weekly, or monthly pass, each subsequent ride will be free for the remainder of that period.
“In the long run, a lot of our really committed riders should be saving a whole lot of money,” Brasher said.
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To create an account to participate in fare-capping, there are two methods. Riders can download the Umo app and connect their debit or credit card. The Apple App Store download is here, while the Google Play store download is here.
Riders can also pick up GOJO transit cards. Brasher said staff at the city’s collections office will be trained on Wednesday on how to load funds on the cards, and they will be available for pickup likely Thursday or Friday.
Cards are picked up at the collections office at the Jonesboro Municipal Center, located at 300 S. Church St.
The first card is available for free, but if a rider loses their card or needs it replaced, it will cost $10, Brasher said. While cards will only be able to be picked up at the collections office, Brasher noted funds can be reloaded at a few retail locations across Jonesboro, including Walgreens, CVS, and Family Dollar, as well as the collections office.
The public transportation service has also implemented tap-to-pay systems, allowing riders to pay with their smartphones, credit/debit cards, and preloaded cards. It announced at the end of July that the equipment installation across its fixed route services was nearly complete.
GOJO held a public comment period, which ended July 31, as well as conducted public input meetings, to inform riders of the upcoming changes.
Brasher noted that, in addition to social media updates, GOJO staff would be posting flyers in the GOJO transfer station and on its buses and trolleys. He added that staff are hoping to get time to speak further with community members about the changes.
“Right now, we’re just trying to get the information out there in as many avenues as we can,” Brasher said.
In addition, new and adjusted routes are in the works. Brasher said staff were currently working on making the proposed routes changes while still hitting all stops on a route, as well as not increasing wait times. He said more information about these changes would be released at a later date.
“Right now, we’re still kind of in that testing phase where we’re mapping everything out, making sure it’s all gonna function and flow smoothly,” he said.
Those with questions about fare increases, payment options, or other inquiries are encouraged to contact GOJO at 870-935-5387 or at gojo@jonesboroar.gov.
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