Comprehensive Bus System of the Future

[Busguy2010]

Howdy folks. Lately I've been spending more time out west than I really ever have in my life. Different world. Just looking at the surroundings tells me we're going to need to bite the bullet and put a bus system out west. For example, how doesn't a new young adult with little money living in an apartment at 150th & Dodge, who goes to school at MCC, and works at Village Pointe not have a reliable bus to get them there? Doesn't make sense. Ive noticed there's actually a LOT of density out there between the big apartment complexes and the homes all crammed together. And there's gotta be a lot of people who dont have the newest/most reliable/nicest car, so whaddaya do when theres no bus system? Uber? Getting around town should cost no more than a buck 50, and I'm here for it.

Ive developed an effective bus system that purely operates on fixed bus service. Think of it like either Metro doubles in size and builds a new, additional garage out west, or a new agency does. These systems are mostly separate, i.e. most routes begin and end in the suburbs, with a few reaching into the city. My #1 goal here is for anybody that sees it to think "you know, that bus would go within a few blocks of my residence and work, why wouldn't I give it a shot?" And yes, this is fashioned in a manner of realism, given the only reason we cant have it now is due to funding. Ive heard all over lamenting that "Omaha doesnt have a bus system" when all it really is is them living in West O. Theres a desire to have service out there in addition to the population and the commerce.

So, I've gotten it all developed in my head and even went through to figure out if they would even work schedule-wise, and they 100% do. So with that, I will present a new route semi-weekly as I work on them. The maps are mostly drawn by me, and touched up with AI to look like a real transit map. There may be slight differences in how the AI ends up with the brochure design, but all the routes, labels, and yes, other new bus numbers are absolutely correct and will be revealed as theyre finished.

The first new route I present is "22-West Dodge Corridor Local" this route is the backbone of the west Omaha system, just as the 2 was in the city. This would be the most frequent route (alongside the 44) with 15 minute peak service and 30 minute off frequency. This is where it all starts, and I truly believe it should be implemented yesterday and would be well used tomorrow. Have fun

[locoluke]

I think something closer to a freeway-based ORBT extension coupled with strong last mile connections (i.e. better sidewalks, bikeshare, etc.) and hopefully some densification might work better. As drawn, there are a lot of route deviations which will make trips painfully slow.

[Busguy2010]

I think something closer to a freeway-based ORBT extension coupled with strong last mile connections (i.e. better sidewalks, bikeshare, etc.) and hopefully some densification might work better. As drawn, there are a lot of route deviations which will make trips painfully slow.

It is presumed ORBT will also be operating on West Dodge at some point. I didnt include it here cause its not a normal fixed route. So with that in mind. The whole thing is based on the idea that West Omaha needs its own bus system and it starts just as a regular bus system like Metro did. So for now, just look at it in that context. Most routes are an hour end to end, but within the route, most trips won't take nearly that long. It isnt a solution for Dodge traffic, its the beginning of a comprehensive fixed bus system.

Anyway, theres probably more than 20 left to show you, so as you see more routes, itll come together.

[Busguy2010]

This is Route 44. 15 minute peak between State and U Street, 30 minute off peak.

[locoluke]

If nothing else, this is a fun exercise. Now you've got me drawing lines on Google Earth Pro reimagining the existing system.

[remline]

I think these are great ideas.

One problem I have with the current system is that the Westroads transit center has very poor accessibility for pedestrians. If you find yourself on the wrong side of Dodge or I-680, good luck finding a way across!

[Busguy2010]

804 --> 31

Route 31 State Street/East Omaha:
Limited Stop service between Downtown and 31st & Mckinley with stops at 30th & State and MCC Fort.
All other trips alternate between Bennington and Airport, and Bennington and Downtown, with a regular stop at NOTC.
Selected trips to Prairie Flower Casino.


This has been a fun and difficult one. The fact that State street is so far north, and there isnt a major destination in Florence to act as a turn-around. For that, you can ride it all the way Downtown, or the Airport! I was going to make it the 804, but later realized this is the old route 31 on steroids. Accomplishes the desire for service to Mckinley, and much, much more. The Westview YMCA is an appropriate destination way out there. Some trips end there, and some continue to Bennington.

[Busguy2010]

Here's Route 56 - Crosstown 156th.

It turned out to be the unexpected backbone of the N/S West Omaha corridor. Both the 44 and the 68 jog over to 156th to the endpoints of the 56. Pretty cool how the three routes intermingle at points throughout, with all three sharing the same destination points - Bennington Park & Ride and Gretna Park & Ride.

The Westview YMCA turned out to be an important destination.

My methodology evolved between the Park & Rides and the Park & Ride Transit Centers. I ended up on the P&RTC'S being the points at which all the schedules that serve them are deliberately lined up to meet there at the same times. Whereas the regular Park and Rides are not necessarily designed, prioritized, or able to make even transfers. The primary TC being Heartwood P&RTC, with all schedules lined up at the :15 and :45 on the hour. Meanwhile, the endpoints of the 44, 56, and 68 generally arrive within a few minutes of each other and have relatively long, overlapping layovers.

[Busguy2010]

Here is Route 68. This route really highlights all the great lakes that we have. Imagine being able to take a bus to one of our lakes, what fun!

[BuildTaller]

I don't think you need a 156th and a 168th. Pick one or the other. Maybe 156th and a 132nd. I also think they both go too far north and too far south. Maybe just Fort to Harrison. It's also hard to judge these without seeing a full system map. So then do you transfer to a line to get to Westroads, and then transfer to another line to get you where you want? I'm not going to take 3 busses. 2 is my max. I hate waiting at the intermediary stop, but Westroads isn't the worst.

Maybe a park and ride asphault lot near 192nd and Dodge or 204th and Dodge that is only served by an express shuttle directly to Westroads that runs every 10 minutes.

[Busguy2010]

I don't think you need a 156th and a 168th. Pick one or the other. Maybe 156th and a 132nd. I also think they both go too far north and too far south. Maybe just Fort to Harrison. It's also hard to judge these without seeing a full system map. So then do you transfer to a line to get to Westroads, and then transfer to another line to get you where you want? I'm not going to take 3 busses. 2 is my max. I hate waiting at the intermediary stop, but Westroads isn't the worst.

Maybe a park and ride asphault lot near 192nd and Dodge or 204th and Dodge that is only served by an express shuttle directly to Westroads that runs every 10 minutes.

You'll continue to see more maps. I dont know if I'll do a system map. I want to, but this is already a ton of work. Ill tease to answer your question. The most direct way downtown will be the 92 express. Itll be what the 92 used to be with express trips skipping Westroads, while adding two stops, at Methodist women's hospital and MCC Elkhorn. The express bus will operate all day, rather than just morning and evening. About an hour from MCC TO Downtown, 45 minutes Village Pointe Park & Ride TC to Downtown, and 30 minutes Heartwood P&RTC to Downtown. Some select trips still serve westroads. This is what makes it all work, with the future option of making it ORBT.

For a non express route that goes downtown, the 11 from Heartwood P&RTC to Downtown in about 50 minutes with a stop at Aksarben.

I do think Bennington and Gretna are far out, but the reason I included them is because both are because there's plenty of growth occurring. The other reason I made them go all the way is the total trip is an hour, and the next option down is a 45 minute route, and I just felt stopping them short to make it 45 gives up a lot of opportunity. The 144 runs every 15 minutes between State and U Street.

And, this concept is comprehensive, so itll have a bus route on almost any major road out there.

Let's say somebody lives at 144th & Maple and works at Costco Get on the 44 at about 7:35, get off at heartwood P&RTC. Transfer to the 22 and ride 10 more minutes to 124th & California. Total trip, 20 minutes, one transfer.

While you can take the bus Downtown still, its never going to be light speed. This concept is largely built around the idea that the suburbs are kind of its own city, so essentially think of it a west Omaha's own bus system. Routes largely begin and end in that West of 680/south of Harrison belt around the city.

[locoluke]

Is it 60 minutes end-to-end or 60 minutes round trip?

[Busguy2010]

Is it 60 minutes end-to-end or 60 minutes round trip?

End to end. If you count it up, its about the same distance from 204th to the Missouri River. Can't make the distance shorter, or make it run faster. That is what it is. They could make some trips limited stop to speed it up a little, but it wouldn't be much. Unfortunately there are no N/S highways out there, so you're completely limited to 45mph.

[Busguy2010]

30 minutes for the 44 short trip between State and Millard Park & ride (U street)

[Busguy2010]

Forgot to mention, all the N/S routes are more like 50 minutes and some change. Once they go above 45, that automatically makes the turnaround have to be 1 hour to keep the consistent schedule. You're on the bus for 50, but the bus doesnt start going back til the hour. Thats why I decided to extend their final destinations. Its either the bus sit there at the short trip for 15 min making no revenue, or extend the ends so pickup and drop offs are at least possible further down the line.

[Garrett]

Forgot to mention, all the N/S routes are more like 50 minutes and some change. Once they go above 45, that automatically makes the turnaround have to be 1 hour to keep the consistent schedule. You're on the bus for 50, but the bus doesnt start going back til the hour. Thats why I decided to extend their final destinations. Its either the bus sit there at the short trip for 15 min making no revenue, or extend the ends so pickup and drop offs are at least possible further down the line.

Your run times will be drastically different depending on the time of day though. It may take an hour to run the route during peak, but 45 minutes off peak, or 40 minutes on the weekend. You also want to give good time for your buses to layover for operator breaks.

[Busguy2010]

Your run times will be drastically different depending on the time of day though. It may take an hour to run the route during peak, but 45 minutes off peak, or 40 minutes on the weekend. You also want to give good time for your buses to layover for operator breaks.

Oh, we know

[Busguy2010]

This one's fun given the amount of commerce it goes through. By the new Costco and all the goings on around 168th & Maple, Village Pointe, Lakeside, 180th & Center, by the new giant Hy-vee, and ending at Gretna City Park.