METRO (Formerly Metro Area Transit - MAT)

[locoluke]

Per the December TAC minutes, Metro is weighing what to do with the portions of Route 15 and Route 30 that overlap with the streetcar route. Options include keeping them as is, moving the routes to parallel streets, or reallocating the revenue hours of the overlapping portion of the routes to increase service elsewhere. Increasing north/south connectivity seems like an early frontrunner for the third option:

- Add service to these areas:
i. Abbott St, 10th St
ii. Southern Saddle Creek
iii. Dundee South to Q St
iv. UNO to Benson through Dundee, possibly modify route 8 through that area (would need night service)
v. Millard

[halgy]

My ideal would be to merge the 15 into the 11, with 15-minute headways from downtown to Aksarben, preferably until later at night (run the 30 as normal from Aksarben). It is mostly selfish, as I live downtown and want convenient transit to Aksarben, but I also think Leavenworth could really benefit from high-quality transit.

That said, increasing north/south connection would be better for the system overall, and easier ways to Benson/Dundee are also welcome. Whatever happens, I hope something can reuse the resources rather then having them just evaporate.

[Busguy2010]

I read the whole thing and theres even a subtle mention of potentially bringing back a "Midtown Transit Center". For anybody that may remember, or may not have known, the old Midtown Transit Center was on Douglas at 44th. I had many a transit memory there. They closed it, I think, in 2015, in favor of on street transfers, which have worked fine. Honestly it was a little annoying when every bus had to jog a couple blocks out of the way to meet up and wait a few minutes. Though, it did provide a meeting place for several routes that are no longer (1, 28, 48, 111, probably more before my time). I always thought that grass lot on the SW corner of 42nd would be perfect for a transit center.

When it comes to the 15, I kinda figured the streetcar would be a sticking point. Not really sure what I'd do with it. Kinda hate to make people transfer to make the measly 10 minutes to get Downtown on a route thats historically always served Downtown to Midtown. The 30 used to be on Dodge/Douglas until ORBT. Don't think it'd be a problem to move it back.

I can't find the map now, but I came up with a route several years ago that would start at Aksarben TC, go up 67th, continue straight through Elmwood Park up through the east side of UNO, east on Dodge, up Happy Hollow to underwood, to 50th, north to western, to 52nd, north to Radial, through Benson, up Military, to end at 72nd & Ames. I called it the 52 for 52nd st. One of the routes I had the most fun with.

Its intriguing the mention of altering the 8 to serve Dundee and UNO. I'd assume it could probably work to have it turn east at Blondo to 52nd, go through Dundee some way, to UNO, then end up at Aksarben. That would be a pretty big change though. We'll see. Dundee hasn't seen a bus on its streets for 13 years, which is kinda crazy. Sounds like it could be one of the more intriguing changes in the last 10 years.

[locoluke]

The only way I could see lopping off the east end of the 15 in favor of the streetcar being a passable service change is if they coordinate timed transfers with the streetcar. Even then, with estimated 40-minute round trips, the streetcar will probably be marginally slower than the 15 even before you factor in the time needed to transfer. It doesn’t serve the current downtown layover point either, but that could be fixed with a downtown transit center somewhere along the streetcar route.

I personally would root for an Aksarben-UNO-Dundee-Benson route, but all of the routes they mention are compelling.

At the end of the day, it’d be nice to be able to fund service improvements without having to cannibalize existing routes.

[Busguy2010]

I became very intrigued by the thought of having the 8 connect Benson, Dundee, UNO, and Aksarben. I would have never thought of altering the 8 to execute that. However, I do feel its kind of risky, as theres plenty of people, apartments, jobs, grocery along the route west of 60th along Blondo and Cass. I think it'd be tough to completely abandon that portion. Anyway, I drew it up just to get a visual, and I really like it. However, my thought was to keep the 8 as is, but add a 28. So the route would be 8/28. They'd follow the same route between NOTC and 60th & Blondo, then split their separate ways. Interestingly enough, the route that served Blondo and 52nd back in the day was the 28, so it seems to be logical. Only weird thing about it is they've gotten away from having the #/# routes, when they ditched the 15/55, and the 4/14. But I dont really see why, they worked fine and weren't confusing.

Here's the 28 toward the end of its existence.


Here's the 28 I drew up.


I like the idea a lot. The timing works out on it too. I say do it! I wish I knew about this earlier, I would have presented the idea to them. Who knows, maybe they already have the same thought.

[locoluke]

For any meeting minute fiends such as myself, I suggest checking out the December 2025 Board Planning Retreat minutes. There's not a ton to look at, but this part did catchy my eye:

Staff provided a status update on several projects in MetroNEXT, including:
• Service to McKinley Road, which is currently being served by the microtransit pilot
project and requires additional sidewalk infrastructure before being able to support fixed
route transit.
• Fort Crook Road: A feasibility study with MAPA and City of Bellevue is underway.
• Future Fort Street Express Route: Currently on hold due to upcoming city construction.
• 24th Street feasibility and planning study is anticipated for early 2026

Good to see the 24th St. project hopefully moving along. Even more exciting to see a feasibility study underway for the Fort Crook Road BRT project.

[Busguy2010]

Hmm, kind of curious. McKinley hasn't been served since the late 90's when it was the 31, which only ran a few times a day as a branch off from the 30. I vaguely recall the schedule as 30/31/36. The 30 was as is today, the 36 ran every other route up 30th to Matrin, to 42nd & Curtis, and the 31 only had a couple trips per day to and from HWY 75 and I-680

In this picture of the 1995 system map, its marked as the 30, but I distinctly remember it being the 31 at one point around that time.



Just seems kinda odd to be on the list of priorities.

[locoluke]

Per MetroNEXT, the trips along McKinley are planned to be during rush hour only, so it sounds like it'd be pretty similar to the 31.

I myself was also curious about why it seems to be such a priority. A simple Ctrl+F search on the record of public comments for the MetroNEXT plan found about a dozen or so comments requesting transit access to the industries along McKinley. At least five of those seem to have come from employers.

I understand Metro's reluctance to run transit in an area that is functionally a highway with no sidewalks and poor lighting. From the public comments, though, it sounds like some people are already walking along a mile or more along McKinley to reach Route 30. Would it not be safer to pick these people up off the shoulder closer to their job than make them trek a mile in darkness?

[Busguy2010]

I suppose when it comes down to it, if they can quickly have a stop somewhere around 48th, that would probably serve a few more people than the current end point. Just make the 30 go out that way maybe. As many times as I've ridden the 30 to the 31st and Ferry stop and back, I've never seen anybody get on or off there. Nothing but the Ponca Hills neighborhood up there and I'd be hard pressed to believe its much of a destination for anybody.

[Busguy2010]

Probably an unconventional alternative, but I like to try it. Since they're trying to find a work around the streetcar and ORBT. I wonder how many riders are really continuing their trip between 30th and Downtown. ORBT has that covered, and the 35 has Park Ave covered. Why not put the 30 on HWY 75 and quickly connect to South Omaha?

Have some of the last stops at the ORBT stations at Park Ave, then hop on the interstate and end up in South Omaha in 5 minutes.

I know its not typical practice to have that much non revenue mileage, but when you think, the only direct connections between North and South Omaha are the 3 and the 24, and they take 45 minutes and 40 minutes, respectively. Having a non stop route 30 from South Omaha to the ORBT stops on Park Ave in tops 10 minutes could make a difference, vs the redundancy of the 15, ORBT, and the streetcar.

[Dusty]

I have always described the network as a broken piggy bank held together by 100 Band-Aids. The suggestions they come up with are just adding more Band-Aids or just move the current ones around. The network needs to be gutted and redesigned.

As for the Mckinely comments, it was only one company screaming for a route out there. There is not enough demand to justify a fixed route. This is a case where micro-transit should be working. Or better connectivity through bike paths, sidewalks to the nearest fixed line (Route 30)

As for adjustments from the streetcar, I would change Route 11. Rename it as the Urban Loop. it connects the Urban core with the Central core. It is a true coverage route or destination hopper. From Aksarben Village is goes down Leavenworth to Blackstone to North Saddle Creek, through Dundee and back to Aksarben. It could be a specialty bus like a double decker bus if the demand was there.

I added a visual with my long-term streetcar vision with the Urban Loop bus line in royal blue.

Note: Some of these streetcar lines could slightly change. For example: UNMC extension could just extend down Farnam to terminate, 10th street line could be a couplet that includes 13th, etc.

[locoluke]

More service changes!

Some frequency increases and schedule changes, but the heavy hitter is Route 30. It will now run to Aksarben via Saddle Creek instead of going downtown.

[Dusty]

More service changes!

Some frequency increases and schedule changes, but the heavy hitter is Route 30. It will now run to Aksarben via Saddle Creek instead of going downtown.

This is a huge mistake. Now residents in Florence have to ride to Aksarben to transfer back to downtown. Very inconvenient!

[Busguy2010]

More service changes!

Some frequency increases and schedule changes, but the heavy hitter is Route 30. It will now run to Aksarben via Saddle Creek instead of going downtown.

This is a huge mistake. Now residents in Florence have to ride to Aksarben to transfer back to downtown. Very inconvenient!

Technically its faster to transfer to the 18 at NOTC than to stay on the 30.

But Aksarben is kind of a weird destination for the 30. Itll be cool to finally see a route down Saddle Creek though. I was going to pitch them an idea that had the 30 go down 29th to Leavenworth, hop on the interstate to South Omaha TC for a quicker north/south connection than the 24.

Having the 30 down Saddle Creek is really thinking outside the box. I mean really. I'm very interested to see the route they take.

[locoluke]

I'm very interested to see the route they take.

I assume it will run via Dodge, although I think there's a compelling case for it to run via Cuming. It would connect the area near the Family Fare that's closing to the grocery stores further south along Saddle Creek. The old Creighton medical center would still be served by Route 35. I'd think the biggest downside of running via Cuming would probably the lack of a direct connection to ORBT. If you really wanted an ORBT connection a deviation to 42nd between Davenport and Farnam would fix that.

[Busguy2010]

I would think they'd have to hit the area between Cuming and Dodge for it to make sense. Perhaps even Hamilton or California. Welp, I don't know. Eager to find out

[locoluke]

Here are the slides for the meeting over the latest proposed service changes. Looks like Route 30 will take Dodge from 33rd to 42nd and Farnam from 42nd to Saddle Creek.

[Busguy2010]

Hmm, seems like a bit of a miss not to hit North Saddle Creek.

[Dusty]

As I mentioned before, the plans in MetroNext don't really improve service or perception of riding transit. Implementing these changes won't make a difference since they are ignoring every elephant in the room.

Every press release I get a cringe-like response. lol. So many rookie mistakes. So out of touch with the people.
I would gladly move back to Omaha to lead Metro if the board of directors wanted to take a different path with the leadership.

[Busguy2010]

I just noticed in a under the radar release of use of funds, there's money set aside for design work for a transit center. It doesn't say anything more than that.

I can only speculate. Westroads TC is nearing that ~ 20 year replacement window.

Possibly a more proper transit center for Aksarben, which may soon be the second most served TC.

Possibly bring back Midtown TC in some capacity, given the changes being made due to the streetcar. I'm probably just dreaming, but the now non-existant Midtown TC was once served by the 1, 2, 3, 15, 28, 33, 48, 55, 98, 111. 10 routes! Now zero. I'd love to see them bring back some of the routes that once filled out the system. But doubt it.

[Dusty]

I just noticed in a under the radar release of use of funds, there's money set aside for design work for a transit center. It doesn't say anything more than that.

I can only speculate. Westroads TC is nearing that ~ 20 year replacement window.

Possibly a more proper transit center for Aksarben, which may soon be the second most served TC.

Possibly bring back Midtown TC in some capacity, given the changes being made due to the streetcar. I'm probably just dreaming, but the now non-existant Midtown TC was once served by the 1, 2, 3, 15, 28, 33, 48, 55, 98, 111. 10 routes! Now zero. I'd love to see them bring back some of the routes that once filled out the system. But doubt it.

I'm sure it's more of the same poor infrastructure. I'm NOT a fan of single use transit centers. This is what most cities build anymore. Metro takes a lot of pride in the North Omaha Transit Center and Westroads TC. I would never support infrastructure like this. It's a big part on why people don't ride.

[BuildTaller]

Possibly a more proper transit center for Aksarben, which may soon be the second most served TC.

That would be nice.

[Busguy2010]

https://www.ometro.com/alerts/april-19t ... 30-35-106/

New route changes.

[locoluke]

Metro is hosting the CTAA National Roadeo this weekend.

[remline]

Bus to Ballot

Metro Transit will provide fare-free rides on all buses, ORBT, and MOBY services on Tuesday, May 12th for the Nebraska Primary Election with Bus to Ballot.

[Busguy2010]

Nothin new, just a thought:

I can't understand how Metro STILL doesn't have service to Northwest Omaha, specifically West Maple.

Service to this corridor was studied well over 10 years ago, and the area has grown a ton even since then. So what's the rub? I think given the sheer amount of commerce West Maple does, I strongly believe it would have pretty solid ridership.

Loveland Colorado does a great job serving HWY 34 - characteristically a mirror image of HWY 64 (West Maple) - with route 3. If you've ever driven to Estes Park you know the road.

The greatest challenge to West Maple Rd is the lack of pedestrian amenities. Addressing this with shoulder-located bus bays and some simple concrete sidewalks can turn a pedestrian nightmare to a manageable trek. Here is a prime example of a well executed highway bus stop. The bus is allowed to use the right turn lane as a skip lane and stops across the street in the shoulder, with a shelter and a short paved section to connect to the pedestrian network.



I imagine such stops along West Maple at the major inersections like 156th:



I'd argue this corridor has warranted having public transportation for 20 years, especially now with the Costco and Sam's Club. I see so many opportunities for these stops dotted along West Maple, served by a route that connects ORBT at Westroads to 180th or even 204th.

This is the one potential route that stands out, despite the suburban atmosphere, as a no brainer, and really a headscratcher why it still doesn’t exist. There really isn't another road in West Omaha that demands it more. I think it even outdoes its uncle West Center, a road that's had bus service for longer than I've been alive.

[Dusty]

I can't understand how Metro STILL doesn't have service to Northwest Omaha, specifically West Maple.

It won't happen with the current leadership team. There has been no talks of expansion on Maple or Center going Westbound. The only possible route mentioned is Fort St from 144th to Westroads. This was a long shot scenario suggested in Metro Next. This would pull some low ridership numbers since Fort is mostly residential neighborhoods West of 108th.

[BuildTaller]

I thought we had a driver shortage?

[locoluke]

A few minor upcoming service changes:

Routes 24, 26, 55, and 106 will have new trips added starting on Monday, July 27th. New schedules will be posted to ometro.com beginning on Sunday, July 26th.

Route changes:

• Route 24: New Saturday 5:45 a.m. trip

• Route 26: New weekday 5:45 a.m. trip

• Route 55: New weekday 5:53 p.m. trip, schedule adjustments to westbound buses

• Route 106: New weekday 2:39 p.m. trip

There’s mention in the July TAC meeting minutes of a big hiring push ahead of a “major service change” planned for December. I’ll be interested to see what that looks like.

Metro also saw its highest May ridership since 2015 this year.

Finally, this was an interesting tidbit in response to complains about ORBT stop spacing being too far and the idea of express and local service on Dodge:

Vice Chair Anderson said the original plan for ORBT was to continue running Route 2 with the stops closer together alongside it, but that was removed from the plan several months before ORBT was launched.

[ProgKingHughesker]

Only two places the gaps are really an issue imo are between UNO and Dundee and between 42nd and Midtown, and we have the 30 covering the latter now

Maybe add a UNMC-UNO shuttle along Farnam with smaller buses like UNO uses between campuses to fill the other gap?

[Busguy2010]

Boy, that'd defeat the original purpose of ORBT. I suppose it could work if they make the schedule so ORBT and Route 2 leave their end points at the same time in that order. Probably Route 2 at 30 minute intervals, but that still could take ridership away from ORBT. Maybe they'll run it down Burt to capture all those apartments west of 90th. It used to run those trips. Route 2 also used to run the Old Mill/Miracle Hills loop to 120th, plus I could see a local route run from Westroads to Village Pointe.

Like ProgKingHughesker said, the 30 covers the main portion that is probably the main complaint.

Im gonna go ahead and say it, the low hanging fruit is to bring some of the old routes back. Doing that with some changes to fit Omaha today.

1/111 Dundee/Western, service on Dodge between 40th and 50th
2 Dodge
4 Maple/Cuming/Airport, extend route 4 replacing the current
106 between Downtown and Eppley with 15 minute service
5 Sorensen/90th/96th, restore service to south 96th
6 West Harrison Southport to 204th
7 Cornhusker/Giles/Bellevue/Southport
8 Benson/Dundee/UNO/Aksarben - Modify to use 52nd from Blondo, through Dundee, through UNO, to Aksarben with local stops along Dodge from Happy Hollow to 60th
10 10th/11th Zoo/Ballpark/Casino/ Carter Lake
11 Leavenworth/Pacific via Aksarben, extended west from Aksarben to serve Pacific 72nd to Heartwood TC
12 West Pacific Heartwood TC to 204th
15 restored to Lakeside
16 north 16th/Vinton interlined with 35 at NOTC and 32nd Ave
17 South Omaha/Railroad/Cornhusker/Old Town Bellevue
22 Regency/Westroads/Old Mill/Heartwood TC/Village Pointe TC
25 South 25th SOTC to Med Center
28 Saddle Creek/Blondo, 40th & Farnam to Westroads using Blondo and North Saddle Creek
31 McKinley Rd
32 Grover to Aksarben
34 L street, SOTC to L st Marketplace TC
36 South 36th/Bellevue, SOCT to Bellevue via 36th
37 NEX/HWY 370/Bellevue via Shadow Lake TC
42 Harrison from SOTC to Southport
44 144th Stoneybrook to State
48 South 48th/50th/Bellevue, 40th & Farnam to Bellevue via 48th/50th
55 restored to Downtown, restore service to L street Marketplace TC and Stoneybrook
56 156th Bennington to Heartwood TC
60 West Q/L street Marketplace TC to 204th
64 West Maple from Westroads to MCC Elkhorn
68 168th State to 370 via Village Pointe TC
72 72nd Aksarben to Shadow Lake TC
80 192nd & 370 to West Maple via Village Pointe TC
84 South 84th Aksarben TC to Shadow Lake TC
92 extended to MCC Elkhorn and restore express service from Downtown
98 120 renamed to 98
106 NOTC to Airport via Sprague
120 Regency/Old Mill/120th/L street Marketplace TC/Stonybrook
132 132nd Standing Bear (personal favorite destination sign)/Heartwood TC/L street Marketplace TC
156 Village Pointe TC/South 156th to Giles/Southport
192 192nd Giles to Fort
204 NEX/204th HWY 6 to Elkhorn
840 State Express State street to Downtown via McKinley and HWY 75

I think I covered them all.

[zippy]

When there was a 2B on Dodge/Pacific back in the 80's, how far west did it go? I took it from 93rd and Pacific to Mutual when my Nova broke down.

[Busguy2010]

When there was a 2B on Dodge/Pacific back in the 80's, how far west did it go? I took it from 93rd and Pacific to Mutual when my Nova broke down.

Now thats one I didn't know. I knew at an earlier time the 2 went down "60th" (Uni Dr East), but only to the north end of Elmwood Park. Im guessing this 2B probably continued on Elmwood Park Drive (something my 8 does) to Pacific. Then I would guess terminated at One Pacific Place or Westroads up Regency Pkwy. Only a guess though. My 11 would take care of Pacific.

Would be really interesting to see a map with that on it. So far my luck has not turned up.

[locoluke]

Metro has issued an RFP for a 24th Street Transit Corridor Study:

In accordance with the Nebraska Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (Neb. Rev. Stat.§81-1712), the
Brooks Act (40 USC 544), and 49 CFR Subtitle B Ch VI, the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of
Omaha (Metro) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional consultant services (herein
referred to as the Consultant) to assist in the completion of a transit corridor study (herein referred to as
the Study) to evaluate the 24th Street project area (Figure 1) for transit amenities including enhanced bus
or expansion of its Bus Rapid Transit system, called ORBT. The Study is intended to prepare the corridor
for further project development and grant consideration under grant programs available through the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Work will be awarded on a Task Order basis, with tasks including but not limited to:

1. Project Management
2. Stakeholder & Community Engagement
3. Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study
4. Advanced Conceptual Engineering (at least 15% design level)
5. Completion of the FTA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and approvals
NEPA Class of Action to be determined by FTA.
6. Selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)

Optional Tasks (to be awarded at the sole discretion of Metro):

7. Preparation for potential federal funding opportunities
8. Preliminary Engineering

[Garrett]

FTA grants are basically dead in the water under the current admin.