METRO (Formerly Metro Area Transit - MAT)

[Busguy2010]

Scenario B looks like the one we should be looking at.

I 100% agree. Just so everyone knows, this was discussed in the METRO thread:

Here is OMetro's handout outlining each scenario. It has a lot more information than what I posted above:

Scenario Overview

Here's the link to the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PLZXCC2

What do you all think about each scenario?

I also think Scenario B looks the best. In my personal opinion, we should look mostly toward improving our existing routes through amenities and frequency, and I think Scenario B does the best job of that.

I encourage everyone to take the survey, takes about 5 minutes.

Agreed, and like I said you are grading each component of each scenario. I would like to see some mix of the scenarios, ultimately, in addition to the shared items.

Let's continue this in the correct thread. There are certain aspects of each scenario that I like and dislike. I have never been a fan of the 24th ORBT idea, because making it ORBT would eliminate a lot of stops. I'd be more in favor of adding better amenities and 10 minute frequency than making it BRT.

Ideas I like: having mid-day Route 92 trips, adding a 144th street route, 15 minute all day frequency on 3,4,13,15,30, restoring service to pre-COVID levels, improving stops, service to Southport and Gretna.

Not a fan of: ORBT on 24th, ORBT for 13th/Bellevue, Park & Ride for North Omaha, the North Omaha "micro transit" zone, Fort street express route, extending Route 92 to Valley.

The others I'm indifferent about. Feel free to ask me why I feel the way I do about any of these.

[ita]

Omaha Metro sees more bus riders; officials say high gas prices may play a role

Some people across the metro are changing the way they get around.

Metro Transit says they are seeing a big spike in riders taking the bus to and from work.

“More people have been on the bus and going where they need to go,” said Paris Hoffmann, Metro rider.

Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) and Metro lines have been busy so far this month. In February they averaged nearly 44,000 rides a week. That number is already up 15% just in the first week of March.

[Uffda]

New electric buses set to hit Omaha streets on Tuesday

The vehicles use a direct-drive engine, eliminating the need for a transmission and tailpipe.

The electric buses will be charged at the Metro transit garage, a task that can be completed in three to five hours.



https://omaha.com/news/local/new-electr ... VZJhjx_KJM

[Coyote]

Metro Transit's electric buses to hit Omaha streets Tuesday



Electric buses provided by Metro Transit are ready to pound the pavement while promising a cleaner ride for both passengers and Mother Earth.

[Busguy2010]

I'm not gonna lie, Metro's been killing it the last few years. I wonder how long the charge on these buses will last... And even though it's a good thing, I actually rode the buses growing up partially because they sounded so cool. This will take away that part of it. But I also understand having grown up near a major bus line, the affect that a nearly silent electric bus sneaking through a neighborhood will have vs a 1990's Flxible Metro tearing through at 6:00 am.

[ita]

So, the final plan coming out of METRONext was published:

https://www.ometro.com/wp-content/uploa ... ry-web.pdf

I think the concrete goals they ended up for 2030 are a nice combination of some of the proposals from the last round of public comments (limiting westward expansion, with more focus on bolstering existing service through improving infrastructure and frequency). Here's the summary page of the document (finally, a dedicated airport route):

[Coyote]

MetroNEXT hopes to bring more transit options to Omaha

[TransitOriented]

Expanded Eppley service. Finally.

[Busguy2010]

I like the idea of adding service to Eppley on the weekends too. I wonder if that will just be an expansion of route 16, or be its own route? I bet the former. Kinda odd they want to extend route 30 to 48th street. Doesn't seem too important to me. They used to run exactly that route as route 31 in the 90's, but haven't run it since the mid 90's, so kind of curious they want to do that again. I'd bet that is where they will explore options for that "North Omaha Park & Ride" somewhere near the 48th street exit. I don't like how in exchange for that west Fort Express, they will remove current route 98.

[ita]

I posted the summary previously, but here is the full MetroNext plan. I haven't went through it yet, but will try to parse through it today.

https://www.ometro.com/wp-content/uploa ... T-Plan.pdf

[ita]

The K-12 fare free program is being extended through the summer. Hopefully, they this program become permanent.

[Busguy2010]

The K-12 fare free program is being extended through the summer. Hopefully, they this program become permanent.

I think that plan was identified in the Metro NEXT plan. So yes, it does look like it will stick around.

[mrsticka]

They should also have routes on:
-108th between Harrison and West Center
-Millard Avenue between 144th and L Street/Industrial Road
-132nd between L Street/Industrial Road and West Dodge
(Yes, I know Millard Avenue and 132nd Street are the same road)
-144th between the NE 370 interchange and West Maple
-168th between West Center and West Maple

[arjavrawal]

https://www.ometro.com/metro-news/metro ... authority/

Beginning Aug. 1, Metro Transit is becoming the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of Omaha. The board will be elected beginning in 2024. The move allows nearby cities and towns to join Metro if they so desire.

[Coyote]

Metro evolving to regional agency,
opening door to expand bus service beyond Omaha
Board of Directors will become elected positions in 2024

Omaha’s bus lines could soon extend outside city limits. Metro Omaha announced Thursday it will be transitioning from a city transit authority to the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of Omaha, made possible by Nebraska legislation passed in 2019. The changes won’t immediately affect Omaha bus and transportation services — Metro Omaha operates local bus services as well as ORBT and Moby transportation — but “this move opens the door for Metro to take its public transportation services beyond Omaha’s city limits,” a news release from Metro states.

“Omaha is growing. Omaha is interconnected. We need to look at supporting ourselves as a region. This is a step to start to think that way and start to prepare ourselves for future growth,” Metro CEO Lauren Cencic said in the news release. The new structure, which officially takes effect Aug. 1, could lead to an increase in Metro’s tax levy down the road, but Thursday’s decision “does not change the budget on its own.” These changes also mean that Metro’s Board of Directors will become elected positions.

https://gray-wowt-prod.cdn.arcpublishin ... MBFO4.jpeg

[ita]

Awesome news! I am glad it is finally happening. I hope other cities like Bellevue and La Vista join to increase the tax base.

[Coyote]

Metro votes to broaden its public transit scope beyond Omaha

The entity that shapes public transit in the City of Omaha is shifting to a regional focus – signaling expansion of services beyond the city limits that soon will be guided by an elected governing board. YouTube Metro’s current board, appointed by the mayor, voted Thursday for the change that takes effect in August. Representatives said the agency had no plan to increase fares. But broadening the scope of public transit would bear a cost, and the board has authority to raise the Metro property tax rate, which currently is at 4.7 cents per $100 in valuation. Under state law, the tax cannot exceed 10 cents per $100 in valuation.

Now officially called the Transit Authority of the City of Omaha, Metro will formally become known as the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of Omaha. Part of the transition means that the agency’s board of directors will be elected. Current members are to serve as Metro’s temporary board until the first election in 2024. Elected members would take office the following January. “Having an elected board of directors is a very exciting step for us,” said Board Chair Amy Haase. “We have heard a lot of feedback on our MetroNEXT program, which includes a call for a better response from elected officials.”

MetroNEXT was an extensive, yearlong look at ways to improve public transit through the decade.

[Coyote]

'More areas to serve,' Metro Transit to convert to regional service



KETV NewsWatch 7

"For example, if one of the nearby cities wanted to become a part of the transit service their city council would have to vote to do so," Cencic said.

[Busguy2010]

That's wonderful news! This would mean we could finally see service to farther reaches, such as Gretna, Bennington, Fort Calhoun, Plattsmouth, Waterloo, Valley, Fremont, etc.

[mrsticka]

Why didn't they do this 10-15 years ago?

[Busguy2010]

Why didn't they do this 10-15 years ago?

Honestly, I think its due to younger people demanding better transit options in Omaha. People who are now 30-40 years old and/or not native to Omaha want to use the bus as a choice. Regionally you have people coming and going from places such as Minneapolis and Denver whom have some of the best transit systems in the US, and then they move to Omaha...
Its just night and day. But I think Metro is doing a great job of recognizing and addressing those issues. Having said that, I believe funding is 99% the reason. All the other 92 counties don't give one cr@p about transit and they are borderline hostile about Omahans wanting better transit and about Omaha in general... They would prefer Omaha was in Iowa.

[mrsticka]

Lincoln does have transit. Star Tran, that's the city bus transit system there.

[Louie]

Lincoln does have transit. Star Tran, that's the city bus transit system there.

Its actually fairly popular for the routes from UNL city campus to UNL East Campus.

[mrsticka]

Where Omaha could use some bus routes:
144th from Harrison to West Maple
Pacific from 60th to 204th
Blondo from either 72nd or 90th to 192nd
West Maple from 102nd to 204th
120th from Q to West Maple
132nd from L Street/Industrial Road to West Maple
Millard Avenue from L Street/Industrial Road to 144th
156th from Q to West Center
168th from either Harrison or Q to West Maple
180th from Q to Burt Street
204th from West Maple to Harrison
Harrison from 204th to 72nd

[Busguy2010]

Where Omaha could use some bus routes:

That would be nice and all to fill out the system... But they would be running like triple the milage for 1/3 the amount of available riders. Absolutely wouldn't make sense.

I could see some sort of expansion, but not much. They already talked about adding more trips on the 92 (including midday), making a west Fort street express route from Westroads to 144th & Fort, an express route from Gretna to Westroads, and a 144th street route Q to Maple (I think).I really don't think we're going to get much beyond that without a light rail system. Though I really am still surprised there hasn't been a regular bus route along West Maple out to 168th. There's a lot of jobs along that stretch. A couple more I could see being moderately realistic is an extension of Route 11 from Aksarben to Heartwood Preserve at 144th & Pacific, and a route from South Omaha TC to Southport.

[mrsticka]

All I know is that routes along 120th, 132nd, 144th and Pacific Streets are LONG overdue. They should've been added 30-40 years ago.

[bigredmed1]

All I know is that routes along 120th, 132nd, 144th and Pacific Streets are LONG overdue. They should've been added 30-40 years ago.

I live at 120th and Pacific. I moved in in 1993 and there was a bus route on Pacific connecting 144th to points east and you could ride with a transfer from my area to the West roads and then points east. It was killed in the late 1990's.

[mrsticka]

Where Omaha could use some bus routes:

They already talked about adding more trips on the 92 (including midday), making a west Fort street express route from Westroads to 144th & Fort, an express route from Gretna to Westroads, and a 144th street route Q to Maple (I think).

Where'd you hear that?

[Busguy2010]

I live at 120th and Pacific. I moved in in 1993 and there was a bus route on Pacific connecting 144th to points east and you could ride with a transfer from my area to the West roads and then points east. It was killed in the late 1990's.

My knowledge of the system dates back to 1995. At that point they had the 99 which was an express route that started at 132nd & W Center, and then went through the neighborhood near 135th, then east on Pacific, south on 114th, then onto the interstate to Downtown. I think this may be the route we are both referring to. If not, please do tell. I always love to hear about knowledge of the system prior to mine.

[Busguy2010]

Where'd you hear that?

It was part of the MetroNEXT study. The things I mentioned were considered. But they concluded on these implementations:

As it pertains to suburban type transit, the most pertinent info is that they plan to extend Route 92 to MCC Elkhorn, and remove Route 98 as-is, but replace it with a new Route 98 that starts at Westroads, goes north on 680, then west on Fort to 156th.

That's about it for now, but we've seen signs that they are considering farther reaches. Especially now that Metro is officially a Regional Transit Authority.

[bigredmed1]

I live at 120th and Pacific. I moved in in 1993 and there was a bus route on Pacific connecting 144th to points east and you could ride with a transfer from my area to the West roads and then points east. It was killed in the late 1990's.

My knowledge of the system dates back to 1995. At that point they had the 99 which was an express route that started at 132nd & W Center, and then went through the neighborhood near 135th, then east on Pacific, south on 114th, then onto the interstate to Downtown. I think this may be the route we are both referring to. If not, please do tell. I always love to hear about knowledge of the system prior to mine.

That may have been it, but you were able to get to the West roads connector site from that Pacific street route.

Regardless of my weakening memory, a Pacific street connection should be reestablished. Especially given the expansion of Boystown hospital, Millard North HS, and the apartments along the way.

[Busguy2010]

Regardless of my weakening memory, a Pacific street connection should be reestablished. Especially given the expansion of Boystown hospital, Millard North HS, and the apartments along the way.

I agree. I think an extension of Route 11 from Aksarben to Heartwood Preserve would be totally feasible and would be the natural progression. In that case, you could ride a bus from 144th & Dodge to Downtown in what would probably be an hour long ride. But at least that would be a good fixed way to connect two of Omaha's mixed developments.

[bigredmed1]

Yep and that would allow for people to get on along the way and bus from Deerridge or Trendwood to points east like One Pacific Place and make use of those resources.

[mrsticka]

There needs to be a bus route on 108th from Harrison to West Center. 120th, 132nd and 144th are also due for routes. LONG overdue. 168th could use one, too. Now that Omaha's grown all the way out to 204th Street, they should have a bus route for that street as well.

[almighty_tuna]

Harrison to West Center? Why would MAT waste busses/money on these routes? What's on West Center that there needs to be a n/s route every mile? I pity the folks who walk out to 204th and sit there along the highway waiting for a bus.

Not to mention that MAT is looking at the greater region for bus transit and stopping at Harrison is very short sighted.

[mrsticka]

Harrison to West Center? Why would MAT waste busses/money on these routes?

I meant just for 108th. The other routes I mentioned, 120th, 132nd and 144th would be much longer than that. They would probably go all the way up to Maple or Fort Streets.

The fact is Omaha is not a small city anymore. It needs more bus routes and frankly, there aren't enough of them especially to the west. Not having them 30-40 years ago was understandable, but today, no.

[Busguy2010]

I pity the folks who walk out to 204th and sit there along the highway waiting for a bus.

Not that I think its really feasible yet, I do think a route along 204th could happen at some point when the area gets more filled in with commerce. Maybe a connection between NEX and Elkhorn or Village Pointe. Its possible to have good access to transit along the highway. An example of this is in Colorado along Highway 34 between Loveland and Greely. They have little cutouts with shelters along the 55 mph highway every 1/2 to 1 mile and they are very well connected to the commercial areas with pedestrian access. So it is possible, just yes, Colorado has much, much better transit culture, so I doubt a route on 204th would ever be warranted any time soon.

[mrsticka]

And having a bus route along Harrison wouldn't be such a bad idea. In fact, Giles, too. They're not outside the city anymore. Not like 40 years ago. The city's grown. More routes are needed.

[labguy]

Some good news from the July Metro Board minutes. Beginning September 25th, Metro is going to start reinstating some of the cuts that were made last May.

On weekdays, Metro will restore 20-minute frequency on Route 3, 15-minute frequency on Route 24, 30-minute frequency on Routes 26, 35 and 36, and 15-minute frequency from Aksarben Transit Center to downtown. On Saturdays, Metro will restore 15-minute frequency on Route 15 and 20-minute frequency on Route 24. And on Sundays, Metro will add a 20-minute daytime frequency to Route 18.

The plan is to add back service on a quarterly basis until getting back to pre-Covid levels. Of course, it's dependent on having enough drivers available.

[Busguy2010]

Strange they said "restoring the 3 to 20 minutes". It was only ever as good as 30 minutes.