Overview
Fort Polk, located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, operates a comprehensive internal and external bus system designed to move soldiers, civilian employees, and authorized guests between base housing, training areas, support facilities and the surrounding community. The 202021 bus schedule was the first fullyear schedule released after a series of adjustments made during the 201920 fiscal year, reflecting new training cycles, housing developments, and feedback from the base transportation office.
The system consists of three primary categories of service:
- BasetoBase (B2B) routes circulate within the installation, connecting the post office, medical clinic, motor pool, and all housing complexes.
- BasetoCommunity (B2C) routes provide a link to offbase destinations such as the Commercial Center, Regional Hospital, and the Leesville train station.
- SpecialEvent shuttles operate on a limited schedule for major training events, base holidays, and community outreach programs.
All routes comply with the Department of Defense Transportation Policy and are subject to change without notice. Riders are encouraged to check the official Fort Polk transportation website for realtime updates.
Primary Bus Routes
BasetoBase Routes
| Route | Key Stops | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| R1 Central Loop | Post Office Main Medical Clinic Dormitory Complex A & B Motor Pool Dining Facility | Every 30 minutes (06:0022:00) |
| R2 North Sector | Housing North Training Area Alpha Vehicle Maintenance Recreation Center | Every 45 minutes (05:3021:30) |
| R3 South Sector | Housing South Infantry Range Supply Depot Fire Station | Hourly (06:1520:15) |
BasetoCommunity Routes
| Route | Key Stops | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| C1 Downtown Express | Housing A Fort Polk Gate 1 Leesville Bus Terminal Walmart Grocery Plaza | Every 60 minutes (07:0019:00, weekdays) |
| C2 Hospital Shuttle | Housing B Post Hospital Regional Medical Center Pharmacy | Every 30 minutes (06:3018:30) |
SpecialEvent Shuttles
Throughout the fiscal year, Fort Polk ran a series of shuttle services for events such as the annual Soldiers Family Day, deployment processing, and the Fort Polk Marathon. These shuttles operated on an as needed basis and were announced via base bulletin boards and the transportation office email list.
Typical Daily Schedule (Weekday)
The following timeline provides a snapshot of a normal weekday during the 202021 operational year. Times are listed in local Central Time (CT).
| Time | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 05:30 | R2 North Sector (first run) | Earlymorning shift start |
| 06:00 | R1 Central Loop | Launch of fullfrequency service |
| 06:30 | C2 Hospital Shuttle | Staff changeover |
| 07:00 | C1 Downtown Express | First offbase connection |
| 09:00 | R3 South Sector | Peak training movement |
| 12:00 | R1 Central Loop (13:00 departure) | Lunchtime interval |
| 15:00 | C1 Downtown Express (afternoon run) | Familyvisit window |
| 18:00 | C2 Hospital Shuttle (final run) | End of clinic hours |
| 20:00 | R1 Central Loop (last run) | Nightshift service ends |
Weekend schedules were reduced by 25% on most routes, with the Central Loop operating on a 60minute frequency only.
Fares and Passes
All Fort Polk transportation services are free of charge for activeduty soldiers, Department of Defense civilian employees, and contractors with a valid base ID. Authorized dependents may ride free on routes that connect to offbase facilities (C1 and C2) provided they present a valid military ID or a temporary visitor pass.
For nonauthorized civilians (e.g., local residents using the Downtown Express), the following fare structure applied during 202021:
- Single ride $2.00
- 10ride pass $18.00 (10% discount)
- Monthly pass $60.00 (unlimited rides)
Payment was accepted by cash on board or via the Fort Polk Transit Card loaded at the transportation office. The transit card could also be used for the shuttles during special events.
Contact & Additional Resources
For the most current route maps, service alerts, or to request a custom shuttle, contact the Fort Polk Transportation Office:
- Phone: (337) 3342000
- Email: transportation@fortpolk.mil
- Office Hours: MondayFriday, 07:0017:00 CT
- Website: https://www.fortpolk.mil/transportation
Riders can also download a printable PDF of the 202021 schedule from the website or use the Fort Polk Bus Tracker mobile app for realtime bus locations.
