Bus service takes hassle out of seeing Hogs
Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS - How can a Razorback football game be even more fun ? When fans don't have to drive and fight the traffic, Earl Scroggins, a local Edward Jones financial advisor, said.
Fans can avoid the congestion at University of Arkansas football games by riding the Hawg Express bus, he said.
Scroggins, Bella Vista Assembly of God Church, Highlander Plaza, Viva La Pooch, Subway and Bank of the Ozarks have hired a bus to drive fans from Bella Vista to Fayetteville for five home games in the upcoming season.
People will board the bus at Highlander Plaza and ride it to the stadium.
The cost is $ 20 per person, which includes lunch from Subway, soft drinks and water. Riders will have to buy their own football admission tickets.
However, they don't have to pay for parking and then ride a bus from Baum Stadium to the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, which is what many fans must endure, Scroggins said. At times, after Scroggins parked his car, he had to wait for four buses to come through before he could get a ride to Razorback Stadium, Scroggins said.
The Hawg Express is an answer for fans who don't want to walk, who find walking difficult or who don't like the high gas prices, Scroggins said.
The Bella Vista businesses and church banded together to hire the bus as a way of avoiding the hassle of getting to football games, as well as a way to promote the area.
The bus has room for 56 people, and all seats have to be reserved in advance. When all the seats are filled, that's it, Scroggins said.
Cash or checks will be accepted, but not credit cards.
If people want to buy seats for all five games, they can.
"We call that a sell-out," Scroggins said.
The bus and its driver will come from the same company that provides buses for University of Arkansas band members and football players, Scroggins said.
The first game - a non-conference game - is Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. The Hawg Express will leave Bella Vista at 4 p. m., and the game will start at 6 p.m.
The drive to Fayetteville will take about an hour, giving riders that extra hour before the game to watch pregame workouts, meet friends or walk around the stadium.
To make reservations, call Patti Jenkins at 876-®2.
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