There's only been service improvements in the last couple years
I find it ironic now that Metro is finally a decent transit authority, they are now holding public meetings regarding service improvements, as if there would be any objection.
The most noteworthy improvement IMO is the added Route 16 trips to the airport. Still not sure exactly what that'll look like but it's a positive. To me it just sounded like a few added trips during rush periods, so not great, but something. If I'm not mistaken, Route 16 is the only fixed route that doesn't run all day nor on Saturday. Even though the main purpose of Route 16 isn't serving travelers, I see no reason not to upgrade trips to the airport. I would even go so far as to extend Route 4 to serve the airport instead, as it already interline with Route 16.
Renovator2559 wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:11 pm
Is it just me, or doesn't the name just "Metro" sound generic vs say Phoenix's "Valley Metro", Dallas "DART" and Des Moines "DART"?
Also, the logo seems basic and the signage blends to the point that the bus signs are hard to spot.
Where as Des Moines DART, has pretty modern logo and orange/purple signage that is easy to spot from far away.
Would have been cool if they would have considered names like oTran, OmaTran, OTA, MART, Omaha Metrolink
I think they did a great job on the rebranding and the logo. Even though it's just "metro" it's universally understood from city to city what it's purpose is. Light blue is actually a pretty unique color choice amongst transit authorities in America and I like it. And I like the logo too.
Some of the names you mentioned are akin to other cities already anyway, so no matter what it's gonna sound generic. It's public transit. Would Walmart be cooler if it had a state specific name, such as NEMart, IAMart, LAMart, GAMart, MoMart, etc. (actually some of those could be funny). But still just Walmart, still just public transit.
Busguy2010 wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:01 am
I think they did a great job on the rebranding and the logo. Even though it's just "metro" it's universally understood from city to city what it's purpose is. Light blue is actually a pretty unique color choice amongst transit authorities in America and I like it. And I like the logo too.
Some of the names you mentioned are akin to other cities already anyway, so no matter what it's gonna sound generic. It's public transit. Would Walmart be cooler if it had a state specific name, such as NEMart, IAMart, LAMart, GAMart, MoMart, etc. (actually some of those could be funny). But still just Walmart, still just public transit.
I agree. "METRO" is synonymous with busing systems all over. Keep it simple! The busing system has come a long way since the MAT days. The white and blue gives it a clean and sleek look. Much better than the MAT colors of black, red, and blue.
With the upgraded authority, they will have more funding to make improvements. Exciting times for our busing system!
Busguy2010 wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 1:01 am
I think they did a great job on the rebranding and the logo. Even though it's just "metro" it's universally understood from city to city what it's purpose is. Light blue is actually a pretty unique color choice amongst transit authorities in America and I like it. And I like the logo too.
Some of the names you mentioned are akin to other cities already anyway, so no matter what it's gonna sound generic. It's public transit. Would Walmart be cooler if it had a state specific name, such as NEMart, IAMart, LAMart, GAMart, MoMart, etc. (actually some of those could be funny). But still just Walmart, still just public transit.
This is what I mean about design, for example; here's the Des Moines DART.
Distinguishable purple, white and orange boxes. The logo looks clean modern and gives transit vibes. The bus sign attention grabbing, easy to spot a long way; sign is split into two for extra legible font.
Where as Metro signs are so small that they take a while to find, font is so hard to read, do to the blue blending with the sky and or car blue signs. The metro signs look as if planting its own pole is expensive, so better use a lamp post instead.
Though I like how ORBT busses attract plenty of attention with the orange buses, nice bus shelters. What can I say, I love that ORBT is a walk away, unless I have to travel to west omaha.
Personally, Metro doesn't need to rebrand. That's additional costs and resources that Metro could use to continue to increase service, building better stops, etc. Branding is the last thing they need to worry about at this juncture.
ita wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:25 pm
Personally, Metro doesn't need to rebrand. That's additional costs and resources that Metro could use to continue to increase service, building better stops, etc. Branding is the last thing they need to worry about at this juncture.
I'm with you on that, we already had a rebrand. One of the things that would be useful, would be easier to read signs, more bus shelters.
A lot of the seats are extra plush and confortable, so that's one way to improve the experience.
Still as Dusty said, the upgrade of Metro to an Authority is very promising.
Where I agree with you is the stops could be a lot more recognizable with better amenities. I personally think the blue signs are fine. They all have the stop ID on them as well. Where I think they could make a simple improvement is adding the numbers back to all signs. As of now, they only have them at transfer stops, but the system has been so optimized and relatively unchanged for 5+ years, I think they could add the numbers back onto every stop.
I wish the blue signs were bigger, but they are workable for now. I do like the design of them as they are bold and simple.
Right now, Metro needs to focus on increasing ridership. They can do that by:
-Continue to optimize routes to make them attractive
-Build better shelters on busier routes
-Improve service by creating a great rider experience
One way to improve rider experience is to change the fare structure. Standard and express rates should be the same to make it simple. I would eliminate transfer fees. This eliminates tickets for transfers which would speed up the loading process. They currently only give you 90 minutes to use your transfer. No time for grocery shopping or staying for happy hour because you don't want to miss your transfer bus. Ideally, you want people to ride the bus as much as possible, so make it super easy. An example fare structure could look like:
Single ride $2
1 day unlimited $3.50
3 day unlimited $10
7 day unlimited $25
31 day unlimited $55
Year unlimited $600
*3 and 7 unlimited passes would be good for the whole month. Would not have to be used on consecutive days.
If you were to offer yearly rates, you can try and get businesses along the routes to offer discounted passes as a perk for working there. They write off a portion of this as a company benefit. It's no different than companies that give 20-50% off zoo memberships if you get it through your workplace.
It's been a while since I've ridden the bus, so I'm assuming much has changed. When I rode, I paid with a dollar bill and a quarter. Pretty straight forward to me. I don't see why it'd be a knock on metro not to have tap to pay. There's still several retailers that don't offer it. I see a lot of people trying it everywhere and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, it causes delay. So IMO, have your fare ready
Few people carry cash, let alone change now. The vast majority of people have a credit card or a smart phone with tap-to-pay capability. It's made riding transit in NYC way simpler. If you want more casual riders, tap to pay is a good system. Also, people not having cash ready is also a significant source of transit delay.
Garrett wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:34 pm
Has METRO incorporated tap to pay yet?
Yes, pulled this from METRO's website.
They don't have full tap-to-pay, yet. You can't use a credit card or Apple/Google Pay on your phone. They have a card that you can load money onto and then scan, or you can download the UMO app on your phone, load money on the app, and then scan a QR code on the bus. I'm sure I read somewhere that full tap-to-pay is supposed to happen sometime.
I've traveled recently to Chicago and NYC, and tap-to-pay makes things so easy for infrequent riders and visitors. In NYC it is especially nice, as if you use the same card each time, it automatically stops charging once it hits $33 (the price of the unlimited weekly pass, resetting on Monday), so you don't have to muck around with ticket machines or apps at all.
And as an infrequent rider, the biggest improvement for me would be increased frequency in the late evenings. I want to use the busses to go out and see friends, not commute. On the two routes I take, there is only one bus an hour after 7, stopping completely at 10:30. Not only is 10 o'clock an early "curfew" (though I could deal with it), but the stress of missing the one bus that might be coming dissuades me from using it. I end up driving (and adding to the parking burden) or taking a Lyft (which is much more expensive). It doesn't matter how nice the buses and shelters are if they aren't running when I can use them.
Busguy2010 wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 12:26 am
It's been a while since I've ridden the bus, so I'm assuming much has changed. When I rode, I paid with a dollar bill and a quarter. Pretty straight forward to me. I don't see why it'd be a knock on metro not to have tap to pay. There's still several retailers that don't offer it. I see a lot of people trying it everywhere and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, it causes delay. So IMO, have your fare ready
I'm not 100% on all of the city buses, but the ORBT is only by app or card and at least most of the city buses I've ridden are the same as of late.
halgy wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:42 am
I've traveled recently to Chicago and NYC, and tap-to-pay makes things so easy for infrequent riders and visitors. In NYC it is especially nice, as if you use the same card each time, it automatically stops charging once it hits $33 (the price of the unlimited weekly pass, resetting on Monday), so you don't have to muck around with ticket machines or apps at all.
And as an infrequent rider, the biggest improvement for me would be increased frequency in the late evenings. I want to use the busses to go out and see friends, not commute. On the two routes I take, there is only one bus an hour after 7, stopping completely at 10:30. Not only is 10 o'clock an early "curfew" (though I could deal with it), but the stress of missing the one bus that might be coming dissuades me from using it. I end up driving (and adding to the parking burden) or taking a Lyft (which is much more expensive). It doesn't matter how nice the buses and shelters are if they aren't running when I can use them.
Agreed, I'm fortunate enough to be about a half mile off the ORBT line, so I can get rides back home until 11:15 or so. But the regular city bus line that I also use wraps up well before 10.
halgy wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:42 am
I've traveled recently to Chicago and NYC, and tap-to-pay makes things so easy for infrequent riders and visitors.
Now try international. I don't even have to exchange currency anymore.
halgy wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:42 am
I've traveled recently to Chicago and NYC, and tap-to-pay makes things so easy for infrequent riders and visitors. In NYC it is especially nice, as if you use the same card each time, it automatically stops charging once it hits $33 (the price of the unlimited weekly pass, resetting on Monday), so you don't have to muck around with ticket machines or apps at all.
And as an infrequent rider, the biggest improvement for me would be increased frequency in the late evenings. I want to use the busses to go out and see friends, not commute. On the two routes I take, there is only one bus an hour after 7, stopping completely at 10:30. Not only is 10 o'clock an early "curfew" (though I could deal with it), but the stress of missing the one bus that might be coming dissuades me from using it. I end up driving (and adding to the parking burden) or taking a Lyft (which is much more expensive). It doesn't matter how nice the buses and shelters are if they aren't running when I can use them.
Yeah the fare capping for tap to pay in NYC is extremely nice, since now I don't have to do the mental math before buying a transit pass and can just tap and go.
They can't build better shelters or extend hours of service until ridership increases and stays steady. I do believe they have some great momentum going for growth. Improving the ridership experience is key. Contactless payment will make it easier to ride and speed boarding up. Switching to a simple fare rates as I mentioned previously will make it appealing. When you spend your time trying to calculate transfer fees and standard/express rates the process becomes very transactional. Riding the bus needs to be about a positive experience getting to your destination.
Like I said, they should be pushing unlimited passes. (1 day, 3 day, 7 day, 31 day). Now the ride is about your personal journey. Now the ride is a work commute, entertainment, gather with friends, shopping in between. You choose your own adventure. Why rush to miss a transfer bus when you can slow down and enjoy the city.
I do moreso think it's on them to provide the amenities first. How do we think Denver got how it did? They invested. Even more on Nebraska and Omaha to provide the funding. The want and need is definitely there to have a good transit system. They've made some very positive improvements since 2015, but there's still lots of room for improvement.
Right now Metro needs to stabilize their workforce. They are having a difficult time getting enough mechanics on staff. As a result, they often don't have enough buses working to run the full system. They've been using Moby vans for some or all of the express routes each day for the last 3-4 months. Occasionally, they have to use Moby vans on regular routes. Both buses I was on today had back doors that didn't work and there were two broken down buses sitting at the temporary Bergan Mercy transfer stop this evening. All the other amenities that we'd like to have are secondary if they can't keep the fleet running.
I was wondering if anyone on here is a regular express route rider? Are the Moby vans adequate for those routes? They only seat 8, but I don't know what the normal ridership is.
Can't say, but I'm surprised to hear they're using the MOBY vans again. I havent seen a MOBY van on a regular route any time recently. Last time I remember them doing that with any regularity was maybe 2006-ish. They used them mostly on the neighborhood routes, but sometimes on busier routes. I remember I rode the 15 once in a MOBY van. What a joke that was.
As far as the express routes go, I haven't ridden one since back in the day. The 97 was always comfortably full, as well as the 92, sometimes standing room only, the 93, 94 96, and 98 were a bit less. Which ones are using MOBY vans now?
I haven't seen the 92 ever since ORBT came out and it no longer goes east of Westroads. I'd imagine having to transfer busses is an inconvenience that would have turned some, if not most riders off. But I have no way of knowing.
labguy wrote: Mon Jul 31, 2023 10:24 pm
Right now Metro needs to stabilize their workforce. They are having a difficult time getting enough mechanics on staff. As a result, they often don't have enough buses working to run the full system. They've been using Moby vans for some or all of the express routes each day for the last 3-4 months. Occasionally, they have to use Moby vans on regular routes. Both buses I was on today had back doors that didn't work and there were two broken down buses sitting at the temporary Bergan Mercy transfer stop this evening. All the other amenities that we'd like to have are secondary if they can't keep the fleet running.
I was wondering if anyone on here is a regular express route rider? Are the Moby vans adequate for those routes? They only seat 8, but I don't know what the normal ridership is.
Does this explain why I have had to ride on the smaller Metro bus posing as imposter ORBT buses in the ORBT express route multiple times?
Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:28 pm
Which ones are using MOBY vans now?
According to MyRide, the 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, and 98 routes are all Moby vans this morning.
Also some of the 3, 5, 13, 24, and 35/36 routes aren't running this morning.
With the start of school and maybe high gas prices again, August had a nice jump in ridership. August 2023 showed a 19% increase over July, and 21% increase over last August.
Also, another update from the September board agenda. Sorry for the property tax adverse folks, but METRO is increasing their tax levy again, their second time since becoming a regional transit authority. Current tax levy is 67 cents per $100. The new levy with be 84 cent per $100. Before they became a regional transit authority, the tax levy was at 47 cents. Accompany the tax levy increase is an anticipate 14% increase in service to be phased through 2024.
ita wrote: Mon Sep 25, 2023 1:34 pm
Also, another update from the September board agenda. Sorry for the property tax adverse folks, but METRO is increasing their tax levy again, their second time since becoming a regional transit authority. Current tax levy is 67 cents per $100. The new levy with be 84 cent per $100. Before they became a regional transit authority, the tax levy was at 47 cents. Accompany the tax levy increase is an anticipate 14% increase in service to be phased through 2024.
One small correction... The new levy is actually .084 per $100. Omaha could have quite the transit system if Metro's levy was .84.
ita wrote: Mon Sep 25, 2023 1:34 pm
Also, another update from the September board agenda. Sorry for the property tax adverse folks, but METRO is increasing their tax levy again, their second time since becoming a regional transit authority. Current tax levy is 67 cents per $100. The new levy with be 84 cent per $100. Before they became a regional transit authority, the tax levy was at 47 cents. Accompany the tax levy increase is an anticipate 14% increase in service to be phased through 2024.
One small correction... The new levy is actually .084 per $100. Omaha could have quite the transit system if Metro's levy was .84.
Thanks for the correction. So 8.4 cents per $100. Am I doing the math right? Also, yes, it will be an improvement, but I imagine it will take then using their full taxing authority plus broadened tax base over sarpy county properties before we see really substantial changes. I mean 14% increased service is nothing to sneeze at, but I think really big changes will come if other cities decide to fall under the authority.
Also. I seem to have noticed a change in the conversation around the ORBT. Much less "They are always empty" comments and a lot more "ORBT is awesome".
So who knows, maybe we will see an acceleration here?
September numbers are out. Highest ridership since pre-pandemic. Great momentum going!
Thanks for posting! Big jump in weekday ridership. I suspect that comes from students back in school for the whole of the month.
I think you are right about students back in school. You always see a dip in July because of this.
Plus, the kids ride free program has been good publicity for them.
Reading notes from the November meeting, Metro will add 20 new shelters with a target date of next summer. Not sure if these are going to be additional, replacement, or both. But assuming since all the shelters I know of are fairly new, I'd guess they'll be additional, which is great.
Having travelled in ORBT several times, I believe that ridership numbers are somehow underrepresented. Most of the times I took the bus, most of the people didn´t bother to pay for the ride, specially if the hop in but one or the back doors.
mistergutierrez wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:14 pm
Having travelled in ORBT several times, I believe that ridership numbers are somehow underrepresented. Most of the times I took the bus, most of the people didn´t bother to pay for the ride, specially if the hop in but one or the back doors.
I don’t know if they’re measuring paid for trips. Transit these days has a lot of other ways to measure ridership, like various sensors on vehicles that can detect when people enter, either by weight or a little laser.
Busguy2010 wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 1:31 pm
Reading notes from the November meeting, Metro will add 20 new shelters with a target date of next summer. Not sure if these are going to be additional, replacement, or both. But assuming since all the shelters I know of are fairly new, I'd guess they'll be additional, which is great.
Also, they have a bid in to order 26 new buses to replace the aging buses.
Garrett wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 10:12 pm
I don’t know if they’re measuring paid for trips. Transit these days has a lot of other ways to measure ridership, like various sensors on vehicles that can detect when people enter, either by weight or a little laser.
I'm sure a lot of transit has people cheating and not paying. I saw it in Las Vegas when boarding the Deuce Bus. A few would sneak in the exit door to avoid paying. The counters are similar to the laser counters at the doorway of stores at shopping malls. One ping when you enter, one ping when you leave. You take the total pings and divide by 2 to get total visitors/riders for that day.
mistergutierrez wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:14 pm
Having travelled in ORBT several times, I believe that ridership numbers are somehow underrepresented. Most of the times I took the bus, most of the people didn´t bother to pay for the ride, specially if the hop in but one or the back doors.
Are you sure those individuals were not students? They ride for free. Of all the times I have riden ORBT, people pay their share, whether its through coins, ID or phone app. I only remember seeing a handful of passengers that are obviously not students and did not pay.
mistergutierrez wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:14 pm
Having travelled in ORBT several times, I believe that ridership numbers are somehow underrepresented. Most of the times I took the bus, most of the people didn´t bother to pay for the ride, specially if the hop in but one or the back doors.
Are you sure those individuals were not students? They ride for free. Of all the times I have riden ORBT, people pay their share, whether its through coins, ID or phone app. I only remember seeing a handful of passengers that are obviously not students and did not pay.
There was time Med Center employees and bicycle riders could get on for free
