Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary · Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary June 2020 1 1.0 Executive Summary As part of the continuation of the Nebraska Mobility

Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary

Prepared For: Nebraska Department of Transportation, Public Transit

1400 Nebraska Hwy 2 Lincoln, Nebraska 68502

June 2020

Olsson Project No. 019-1932

Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary June 2020

Table of Contents

1.0 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Economic Development Benefits ...................................................................................... 2

2.0 Project Study Area .................................................................................................................... 2

3.0 Existing Transportation .............................................................................................................. 3

3.1 Local Transit Providers ..................................................................................................... 3

3.2 Intercity Providers ............................................................................................................. 4

3.3 Rideshare Programs ......................................................................................................... 4

4.0 Intercity Bus Peer Services ....................................................................................................... 4

5.0 Public Engagement ................................................................................................................... 6

5.1 Round One Community Engagement Meetings, September 4-6, 2019 ............................ 6

5.2 Round Two Community Engagement Meetings, November 13-15, 2019 ......................... 6

5.3 Round Three Community Engagement Meetings, February 25 -27, 2020 ........................ 7

5.4 Project Website and Social Media .................................................................................... 7

6.0 Transit Demand Estimates ........................................................................................................ 8

7.0 Development of Routes ............................................................................................................. 9

8.0 Preferred Route Alternatives ................................................................................................... 10

8.1 Red Route – I-80 Express Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound ............................................... 10

8.2 Black Route – I-80 Express Omaha to Lincoln Westbound ............................................ 10

8.3 Gold Route – U.S. Highway 6 ......................................................................................... 11

8.4 Intercity Bus Connectivity ................................................................................................ 11

9.0 Operating Costs ...................................................................................................................... 12

10.0 Funding and Implementation ................................................................................................... 12

Tables

Table 1. Nebraska County Population Projections ........................................................................ 2 Table 2. Intercity Bus Peer Services .............................................................................................. 5 Table 3. Lincoln to Omaha Intercity Bus Funding Plan ................................................................ 12 Table 4. Implementation Plan ...................................................................................................... 13

Figures

Figure 1. 2017 US Census, On the Map Application and LEHD OD Employment Data ................. 3

Appendices

Appendix A Red Route – Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound Appendix B Black Route – Omaha to Lincoln Westbound Appendix C Gold Route – U.S. Highway 6


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1.0 Executive Summary

As part of the continuation of the Nebraska Mobility Management program, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) tasked the Mobility Management Team to study if feasible intercity bus service could be operated between Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. The study examined current demand and work patterns and determined if a service plan could be developed that would result in a well-used service. The idea of an intercity bus service between the two communities is not a new concept. Early study efforts began in 2003 with the Nebraska Transit Corridors Study, also known as NTRAC. From there, four other studies were completed including: Nebraska Intercity Bus Concept Plan, Close the Gap Heartland 2050, Blueprint Nebraska and the 2016 Statewide Mobility Intercity Bus Concept Plan. While all studies did not directly call out the Lincoln to Omaha corridor, they do set the stage for consideration of new transit services in the region. A consistent theme among the studies is to link the state’s two largest cities with transit options capable of addressing multiple trips in an efficient, value-added, and convenient service. More recently, statewide and regional visioning studies have called for Nebraska to develop transportation options and to become a transit leader for mid-sized cities throughout the United States. NDOT’s vision for the Lincoln to Omaha corridor is to provide an intercity bus service that will enhance the existing national intercity bus network and serve the needs identified by the communities along the corridor. Additional goals are to develop and implement increased service; raise community awareness and usage through a targeted marketing campaign; provide convenient and safe passenger bus stop infrastructure; and identify and improve park and ride facilities with appropriate bus stop amenities. During the extensive public engagement process, multiple people indicated they were unaware of current service options, routes, and costs. Future NDOT service will have an extensive and appropriate marketing campaign to raise public awareness. In addition, a key design element will be connectivity with existing local transit providers, Lincoln StarTran and Omaha Metro. Connections to final destinations need to be simple, seamless, and affordable. Several benefits to the intercity bus connection for residents in the Lincoln to Omaha corridor are listed below.

Since Lincoln and Omaha are the most concentrated labor markets in the state, bus service can increase employee participation and raise the region’s connectivity to the statewide economy.

Intercity bus service can help facilitate access to higher education with the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (UNL) and Omaha (UNO) campuses, as well as Creighton University, and several community colleges. There is strong evidence in academic and community-based research that increased levels of education leads to higher incomes and increased employment opportunities for those who live in rural communities.


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Access to medical facilities can enhance health benefits for those seeking specialized medical care.

Reductions to greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved through an alternative to a single occupancy vehicle. According to the American Public Transportation Association, a single person commuting 20 miles per day can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 4,800 pounds per year by using public transit.

1.1 Economic Development Benefits

Economic development benefits could also be provided through intercity bus service. Investments in public transit can stimulate economic activity along the transit corridor as routes provide increased access to businesses and communities. Secondary economic benefits include resident’s financial opportunities to access better employment, receive increased wages through higher education, including increased skills to facilitate growth in their local communities and to live a healthier lifestyle with reduced medical costs. A final benefit of the intercity service is the opportunity to relax while someone else drives, enjoy the scenery, read, or work until they reach their destination. The largest economic benefit to the communities along the corridor include providing access to employment, allowing persons to support themselves and spend money locally. In addition, education and training trips provide the economic benefit of long-term employment at decent wages and job stability.

2.0 Project Study Area

The study area includes the metropolitan areas of Lincoln and Omaha in addition to the rural communities of Waverly, Greenwood, Ashland, and Gretna. The study area demographics continue to show an increase in the population, employment, and travel demands. Together the urbanized areas for Lincoln and Omaha represent over 50 percent of Nebraska’s population based on the 2010 U.S. Census. The rural communities add an additional 10,000 persons to that population. Table 1 presents the current 2020 population of the three counties involved in this study and future growth projections.

Table 1. Nebraska County Population Projections

2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050

Lancaster 320,528 340,761 361,534 383,301 406,126 430,021 455,703

Douglas 571,311 598,220 625,173 652,243 680,008 708,163 736,658

Sarpy 196,701 214,981 233,688 253,625 274,837 296,460 317,618

Totals 1,088,540 1,153,962 1,220,395 1,289,169 1,360,971 1,434,644 1,509,979

Source: December 2015 Nebraska County Projections, Center for Public Affairs Research, UNO


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Considerable travel exists today between the two largest population centers in the state. US Census Longitudinal Employment Household Dynamics (LEHD) data from 2017 reveals over 23,000 daily commuters in the project corridor. More significantly, travel between the two communities for work trips show a bi-direction travel pattern as shown in Figure 1. Each weekday, 13,540 residents commute from Lincoln to Omaha and conversely, 10,177 residents travel from Omaha to Lincoln. An important factor to note is LEHD information designates only work trips. There is likely substantial demand for other trip purposes such as social, recreational, shopping activities, educational, and medical trips.

Figure 1. 2017 US Census, On the Map Application and LEHD OD Employment Data

3.0 Existing Transportation

3.1 Local Transit Providers

A significant theme throughout the public engagement process was the first mile/last mile concept. As previously stated, transit riders need to have convenient, seamless, and affordable options to get to their final destination. Local transit providers in Lincoln and Omaha are StarTran and Metro, respectively. Both providers operate regular fixed-route networks throughout their communities with base fares ranging from $1.25 to $1.75, and options to purchase a variety of passes. UNL


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students and staff ride for free in Lincoln with a UNL identification. In Omaha, high school and college students receive discounted Metro fares. StarTran’s weekday service runs from 5:40 a.m. to 9:50 p.m., whereas Metro runs from 4:20 a.m. to 11:40 p.m. on their more popular routes. In Fall 2020, Metro is scheduled to open Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) as a rapid transit bus line linking Westroads Transit Center with Downtown Omaha via Dodge Street. ORBT will feature high frequency, limited stops, long spans, off-board fare payment, and level boarding at all doors.

3.2 Intercity Providers

Four intercity bus service providers currently travel between Lincoln and Omaha as part of a longer distance service either to/from Denver and Chicago. They include Burlington Trailways, Express Arrow, Navigator Express and Windstar/Megabus. In Omaha, two of these carriers (Burlington Trailways and Express Arrow) connect with other intercity bus service including Jefferson Lines to provide travel to Chicago, IL, Norfolk, NE; Kansas City, MO; and Sioux Falls, SD. Windstar/Megabus service connects Lincoln and Omaha with Chicago. Amtrak intercity rail operates between Lincoln and Omaha; however, hours of operation are either late night or early morning. Omalink is a private company that offers pre-scheduled demand-response service between Lincoln and Omaha residence to Eppley airfield. The University of Nebraska’s College of Engineering operates a college shuttle service with six daily roundtrips from Lincoln’s campus to the Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. Service is open to students, faculty, and staff members on a first come-first serve basis.

3.3 Rideshare Programs

Omaha’s Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) offers a free software program (Metro Rideshare) designed to connect people in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area who are interested in ridesharing. Similarly, NDOT provides a statewide rideshare vanpool program through Enterprise Rideshare. This program provides a leased van driven by one of the commuters. The program provides 24-hour roadside assistance, liability insurance, scheduled maintenance, and a guaranteed ride-home program. Nebraska does not have any official park and ride programs; however, a few lots are utilized in the project corridor area. In Lincoln, there is a privately owned U-Stop at 84th Street and Cornhusker Highway (U.S. Highway 6). In Omaha, there is a public park and ride lot south of Exit 370 known as Chalco Road lot.

4.0 Intercity Bus Peer Services

Six peer intercity transit services were examined as a part of the feasibility study based on project team experience or Midwest based operations. The commonality of each service included peak frequency services, amenities like Wi-Fi on buses, route stops at educational, medical, park and


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ride lots, and multi-modal transit centers, and single trip fares average $3.00 to $7.00 per one-way trip, with some based on distance traveled. More specific transit service provider information is listed below in Table 2.

Table 2. Intercity Bus Peer Services

Intercity Bus Peer Services

I-380 Express Cedar Rapids to Iowa City, Iowa. The I-380 Express was developed as a mitigation measure for I-380 reconstruction using federal congestion mitigation funds with a state DOT match. It is managed by the East Iowa Council of Governments. Run times begin at 5:20 a.m. and end at 8:50 p.m. with a round trip of approximately two hours. Vehicles are owned/leased by Windstar Lines and provide WI-FI, USB ports, reclining seats, three-point seatbelts and are ADA compliant.

Smart Way and Smart Way Express, Virginia. Smart Way transit links Blacksburg with Christiansburg and Roanoke, VA. Service runs between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with limited evening service and has connections to the Amtrak station, Valley Metro local transit, and Greyhound intercity bus service at the Campbell Court intermodal center. Smart Way is funded through a combination of University, local, state, and federal funding including (in the past) Section 5311(f).

KCATA, K-10 Connector, Kansas. The K-10 Connector travels between Lawrence and Johnson County, KS with five stops along the way serving three park and ride lots and three educational campuses. Serving mainly students and faculty, transit is provided weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. which includes 19 trips per day with a one-way bus fare of $3.00.

Northstar Link Commuter Bus, Minnesota. Northstar Link has four bus route services that run seven days a week. During the week, Northstar Link’s main route (887) meets every Northstar Commuter Rail in Minneapolis, while on the weekend, the services meets the first and last train. Two routes, 887T and 887V provide public transit for sporting games, Twins baseball and Vikings football, respectively.

Bustang and Bustang Outrider, Colorado. Colorado’s statewide intercity bus service is called Bustang. Bus service provides travel to Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Vail, and Glenwood Springs. The Colorado DOT manages the four routes with over 20 roundtrip daily services to the combined communities. Bustang Outrider is the lower frequency rural intercity service that is operated under contract with local providers. The transit service is funded through Section 5311(f), state transportation funds and in-kind matches. Service routes connect with Amtrak, Greyhound, and park and ride lots that connect with local transit routes.

New Mexico Department of Transportation Park and Ride Commuter Bus Network. This transit service provides eight routes in northern and southern New Mexico. Depending on each route demands, stops range from four to 10 stops with most base fares of $3.00 one-way. The service is operated by a Contractor to the New Mexico DOT.


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5.0 Public Engagement

Public engagement was a critical component of the feasibility study process. Recognizing the potential for future community impacts, the project team realized a broad range of stakeholders and technical committee members from all communities in the Lincoln to Omaha corridor was essential to provide feedback and ultimately aid in development of the preferred transit service. A technical committee was formed of transit providers, elected officials, educators, major employers, airport authorities, economic development groups and chamber of commerce members. Public Open Houses were held at key milestones of the study in the communities of Lincoln, Greenwood, Ashland, and Omaha. From August 2019 to March 2020, the Technical Committee was informed of the current project tasks and given an opportunity for feedback. A stakeholder list was developed of nearly 600 individuals from elected officials, healthcare representatives, the faith community, transit providers and riders, and other interested parties. Three days of public open house and stakeholder meetings were conducted in September 2019, November 2019, and February 2020 in the communities of Lincoln, Ashland, Greenwood and Omaha. The meetings were advertised through legal notices (Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World Herald and El Perico (Spanish)), NDOT press releases, email invitations, project website: nebraskatranist.com, Facebook, and communications to the Asian Community Cultural Center in Lincoln (Vietnamese). Stakeholders were given the opportunity to sign up for a one-hour, in-person meeting session or attend the public open houses. At each meeting, stakeholders were given a project description, a summary PowerPoint presentation followed by an opportunity to ask questions from the project team. Specific meeting information is listed below:

5.1 Round One Community Engagement Meetings, September 4-6, 2019

Approximately 40 stakeholders attended the individual meeting sessions and approximately 40 individuals attend the public open house meetings. The purpose of this initial meeting was to ask the general public if intercity transit services would be beneficial to citizens within the Lincoln to Omaha corridor, locations of suggested route stops and the frequency of service. Attendees were invited to mark on project maps suggesting their ideas for bus stops, specific route times and overall route comments. Common themes included route services that had to be reliable and easy to use, affordable fares, a good balance of the speed of the commute with the number of stops, and bus service and stop amenities.

5.2 Round Two Community Engagement Meetings, November 13-15, 2019

Round two meetings focused on the different routes and bus stops options developed by the project team from initial public input. Three options were presented: an I-80 Express route, a circular U.S Highway 6 route and a special events service that would focus on UNL and UNO sporting events. Overall, the community approved the route options, but asked for a more defined westbound route through Westroads Transit Center. Challenges for the U.S. Highway 6 route


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were discussed as the public expressed but understood that speed limit and traffic congestion during farming seasons could impact route times. It was during the second round of meetings that a strong public desire for a stop in La Vista at Exit 442 near Cabela’s, PayPal, and the convention center emerged. Round two meetings also started discussions on partnerships within the communities. Local business may provide existing infrastructure such as parking garages, park and ride lots, services for bus passengers or shuttle services.

5.3 Round Three Community Engagement Meetings, February 25 -27, 2020

Round three presented three preferred alternatives represented by the Red, Black and Gold Routes. The Red Route is an eastbound route from Lincoln to Omaha, the Black Route runs westbound from Omaha to Lincoln and the Gold Route on U.S. Highway 6 is a bi-directional route benefitting the rural communities along the corridor Feedback from the community and the Technical Committee were in support of the route options. This meeting also discussed the importance of future marketing efforts for the transit service, environmental benefits, first/last mile options, and ease of fares and integration with current transit services.

5.4 Project Website and Social Media

In addition to the stakeholder and public open house meetings, social media was an essential platform for gathering public input for this project. NDOT’s transit website and Facebook page were utilized to share project information, publicize the community meetings discussed above, and conduct four online surveys. A public feasibility survey was conducted at the beginning of the project asking a variety of questions about transit bus service amenities, stop locations, and “would you use the service?”. Overwhelmingly, 90 percent of respondents stated they would use the service and listed potential stops. Downtown Lincoln and Omaha had the largest number of requests followed by UNL, UNO, UNMC, and then shopping locations of Nebraska Crossing Mall and Westroads Mall. After the second round of community engagement, an online route options survey was developed for the three preliminary route services. This survey asked which route would be most beneficial to respondents and what stops residents would add or remove. The survey responses helped to narrow the future transit service to a more defined area of downtown Lincoln and eliminated the southeast Lincoln extension. An employer survey was conducted to discover the current commuter environment and the assistance provided by employers. Employers reported most employees commute alone and approximately 90 percent of employers provide free parking. Employers also responded if a transit service were developed; they would support transit use by their employees with flextime and/or bus pass subsidies.


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The final online concept survey was used to gather information on the intended usage of the three preferred alternatives (Red, Black and Gold) routes and any small tweaks to improve the concepts. Of the responses gathered, 75 percent of respondents would use the Red and Black Routes and 61 percent would utilize the Gold Route. The most common change request for all routes included an increase in morning trips and weekend service.

6.0 Transit Demand Estimates

Travel sheds, cell phone data, and peer system services were used to create a comprehensive understanding of the transit demand estimation for the Lincoln to Omaha corridor. The LEHD data from the US Census Bureau provided commuter travel data, Streetlight Data provided cell phone travel data, and peer information from the previously referenced Bustang and I-380 Express intercity bus transit services in Colorado and Iowa, respectively was used to calibrate ridership to travel characteristics. Each source provided different types of information with different levels of detail, such as breakouts by the time of day and observations of different geographic locations.

The travel shed in Lincoln covered most of the city, while the Omaha travel shed originated at park and ride locations at Westroads Mall, La Vista Exit 442 and the Nebraska Crossing Mall. Data from the peer systems validated using the general two percent ridership rule for commuters. Applying that to Lincoln to Omaha commuter flow of 13,540 individuals, the approximate daily ridership is estimated to be 250 one-way trips. Similarly, the 10,177 daily commuter trips for Omaha to Lincoln would result in approximately 200 one-way trips.

Streetlight Data provided 2019 cell phone information that was used to analyze travel origin – destination trips and was especially helpful in determining nonwork-related travel. Heat maps were developed to narrow travel patterns in the corridor. The Lincoln to Omaha heat map indicated the majority traveled to the 84th and Dodge area, Aksarben Village, UNO, UNMC and various downtown areas. The North Omaha zone indicated several travel patterns exclusively to Eppley Airport. The Omaha to Lincoln travel analysis showed residents primarily traveling to downtown Lincoln, with the highest volume in the early morning as to be expected with workers. However, the trend also continued through midday and most likely represented students and individuals traveling for medical appointments. Rural communities of Waverly, Greenwood, Ashland, and Gretna showed an even distribution of travel to both Lincoln and Omaha. Finally, the cell phone data reported high volumes of travel between Lincoln and Omaha on Saturdays, reinforcing the requests from community engagement to provide weekend service.

The peer system services provided a good proxy for ridership in the Lincoln to Omaha corridor even though the markets are quite different. Analysis of the peer services indicate design and schedules are a critical factor in capturing market share of ridership. A 2017 ridership survey from Bustang indicated key factors affecting ridership were bus amenities, connections to other services, and express service. Quality of service including travel time, reliability, safety at stops and on vehicles were also important components to a successful transit service. All these items were echoed in the community engagement portion of the feasibility study.


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7.0 Development of Routes

The development of a preferred transit route began with consideration of several key factors. Input was gathered regarding the perceived need, preferred route and stops, and the desired level of service during the extensive public engagement process. The initial route development factors included:

Connection to activity centers Local transit connections Park and ride locations Stops in non-urbanized areas Intercity bus connections Serving the same locations as the

Ne-ride shuttle

Connecting with Omaha Rapid Bus Transit System

Minimizing number of stops One-seat ride Operational factors Schedules Amenities

Initial alternatives were developed around two routes, an I-80 Express and a U.S. Highway 6 local route. (The third special events route will need further development.) It became very clear in the beginning of the study that a single route with the same stops in Lincoln and Omaha was not feasible due to the need to incorporate park and ride stops at each city’s origin. Therefore, the I-80 Express was developed into a Lincoln eastbound route and an Omaha westbound route. Expanding on the eastbound and westbound transit routes, two route alternatives were developed for east/west routes in Omaha, one route traveling via Westroads Mall and the other route via Aksarben Transit Center. A Lincoln southeast extension was originally proposed on the Omaha westbound trip to CHI Nebraska Heart Hospital but was later removed due to public input to reduce the route time and the duplication of Lincoln’s StarTran Route 40 service. The U.S. Highway 6 local route was developed according to rural needs. The initial route was based on public input to provide access to Lincoln and Omaha for medical, educational, and other non-work trip purposes, particularly for senior and youth populations. Two routes were once again designed via Westroads Mall with connections to ORBT and the Aksarben Transit Center, both serving Waverly, Greenwood, Ashland, and Gretna. (The initial list of route stops for each service is listed in the complete Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Feasibility Study and will not be discussed in the Executive Summary. However, each routes’ final stop locations are listed in the Appendices.) Schedule frequency and alternatives were considered in the initial route designs. The initial frequency proposals were based to some extent on peer service providers and preferences expressed in the public outreach processes. Three schedule patterns were developed: for a high level of service with a bus every 30 minutes during peak times and hourly service throughout midday; amid-level of service with a bus every 30 minutes during peak times and a reduced


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number of midday trips; and a less costly level of service with a bus every 45 minutes in the morning and evening peak hours and only two midday trips.

8.0 Preferred Route Alternatives

The preferred alternatives were developed and refined through the second public outreach process, and through employer and stakeholder surveys. A third round of public engagement presented these refined alternatives, and minor additional finetuning was incorporated in response to final comments. (It should be noted routes are branded for this report only to alleviate confusion regarding I-80 service.)

8.1 Red Route – I-80 Express Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound

The Red Route was developed for residents of Lincoln traveling to Omaha with scheduled bus stops at the following areas:

Innovation Campus UNL Student Union Gold’s StarTran Hub Gateway Mall Park and Ride 84th and Cornhusker Park and Ride Ashland – SAC Museum Metro Aksarben Transit Center

UNL Engineering School (PKI) UNMC – 42nd and Dewey 24th and Douglas 14th and Douglas Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station Eppley Airport

The timetable developed for this route reflects a pattern to service eastbound trips from Lincoln to Omaha from 4:30 a.m. until midday, and then serve the same stops in reverse order beginning with the 1:00 p.m. departure from Omaha. As requested by the public, service is every 30 minutes during peak hours with less frequent service midday. A late evening departure from Omaha is scheduled at 9:30 p.m. This could potentially be moved later, but this time allows the daily service to end just before midnight. Appendix A contains information for the Red Route Map and a full list of stops and times. With this level of service, there are 15 daily one-way trips. This frequency and schedule pattern is similar to the high level of service referenced in the previous section. This level was chosen in part to increase the attractiveness of service that will, by definition, have a longer travel time than driving. It should be noted there are shared stops with the Black and Gold routes that potentially enable a transit rider to return to their trip origin while using a different route.

8.2 Black Route – I-80 Express Omaha to Lincoln Westbound

The Black Route is a separate route design to transport Omaha residents to Lincoln destinations. The route originates at Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station at 4:30 a.m. and all trips that have a national intercity bus connection. Schedules may also originate at Eppley Airport if a national intercity bus


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connection is not available at the Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station. Similarly, the timetable was developed to serve westbound transit to Lincoln until 11:00 a.m. and then convert to the reverse order starting at 1:30 p.m. and running service from Lincoln until 9:30 p.m. Stop locations for the Black route include:

Eppley Airport Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station 24th and Dodge UNMC – 42nd and Dewey UNO – 70th and Dodge Westroads Mall Park and Ride

La Vista Park and Ride Exit 442 Nebraska Crossing Mall Gold’s StarTran Hub State Capitol Office Building UNL Student Union Innovation Campus

Appendix B contains information for the Black Route Map and a full list of stops and times.

8.3 Gold Route – U.S. Highway 6

The Gold Route was developed to provide transit mobility services to the communities along the U.S. Highway 6 corridor. This route will have bus services operating in both east- and west-bound schedules. Route stops (listed in one direction for simplicity) include:

Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station 24th and Dodge 40th and Dodge UNMC – 42nd and Dewey Veterans Hospital in Omaha UNL Engineering School (PKI) Aksarben Transit Center Walmart Super Center (Gretna) Nebraska Crossing Mall

Ashland Greenwood Waverly Lincoln Bus Depot Walmart Super Center (East Lincoln) Innovation Campus UNL Student Union Gold’s StarTran Hub

Service begins for the Gold route at 7:00 a.m. in Omaha and 7:30 a.m. in Lincoln and end at 7:00 p.m. and 6:52 p.m. respectively. Appendix C contains information for the Gold Route Map and a full list of stops and times.

8.4 Intercity Bus Connectivity

An important aspect of the three alternative routes developed for the Lincoln to Omaha transit corridor includes connectivity to the national intercity bus network provided by Burlington Trailways, Express Arrow, and Jefferson Lines. As federal 5311(f) funding is a potential funding source, one of the federal regulations is to provide connectivity to these national networks. All these services except Jefferson Lines (Omaha only) provides service in both Lincoln and Omaha.


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9.0 Operating Costs

Based on the alternatives presented in the feasibility study, the estimated annual operating costs are approximately $2.5 million, not including fuel, project management or marketing. The estimated cost was developed using experience with peer service providers which use an operating cost of $100 per revenue hour. This revenue per hour cost includes operation of a turn-key service with vehicles provided by the Contractor. Fuel costs are not calculated into this service to avoid the Contractor having to build in a risk premium for possible fuel price volatility. In addition, project management and marketing are not considered due to the significant time and marketing effort to develop a new service in the region. These costs could vary depending on the price per revenue hour, which could be influenced by the length of the contract term. To offset some of these costs, FTA funding for vehicle leasing could be a potential strategy to allow 80 percent federal funding under the capitol cost of leasing guidelines.

10.0 Funding and Implementation

The next step to provide intercity bus service is to secure funding. All public transit systems across the United States are funded through a combination of programs and revenue sources, such as state grants, passenger fares, advertisement revenues, local contributions and federal grants that help cover significant portions of the operating and capital costs. Revenue categories for funding the Lincoln to Omaha transit service are Federal Transit Administration Section 5311, state and local funding. Fares are a guaranteed revenue source for the program; however, initial fare estimates will be low for the first year but will have an expected growth pattern over the following years until the system matures to full potential. The proposed funding program is provided in Table 3.

Table 3. Lincoln to Omaha Intercity Bus Funding Plan

Estimated Costs

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total of first

3 Years Year 4

Operating $ 3,000,000 $ 3,000,000 $ 3,000,000 $ 9,000,000 $ 3,000,000

Capital $ 1,500,000 $ 1,500,000 $ 0.00 $ 3,000,000 $ 0.00

Oversight $ 500,000 $ 500,000 $ 500,000 $ 1,500,000 $ 500,000

Total Cost $ 5,000,000 $ 5,000,000 $ 3,500,000 $13,500,000 $ 3,500,000

Revenues

Federal $ 2,900,000 $ 2,850,000 $ 1,500,000 $ 7,250,000 $ 1,500,000

Local/State $ 2,000,000 $ 1,950,000 $ 1,500,000 $ 5,450,000 $ 1,500,000

Fares $ 100,000 $ 200,000 $ 500,000 $ 800,000 $ 500,000

Total $ 5,000,000 $ 5,000,000 $ 3,500,000 $ 13,500,000 $ 3,500,000


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Operating costs listed in the table include the estimated cost of services from the previous section and an annual cost of fuel projected at $500,000. Capital costs include bus stop improvements to ensure accessibility, bus wraps, potential hardware/software etc. Oversight includes NDOT management, planning, report compliance, marketing, and quality assurance for service. An implementation plan was developed to continue the momentum from the study process into the next phases of the project which are included in Table 4. with forecasted dates.

Table 4. Implementation Plan

No. Next Steps Timetable

1 Outreach with Local Partners May 2020 through May 2021

2 Update RFP for Providers May 2020 through October 2020

3 Funding Commitments December 2020 through June 2021

4 Bus Stops Detail Analysis May 2020 through January 2021

5 Bus Stop Partners September 2020 through July 2021

6 Marketing Plan-Name, Logo, Colors, Etc. September 2020 through December 2021

7 RFP Out for Bid/Award January 2021 through June 2021

8 Bus Stop Improvements February 2021 through October 2021

9 Final Operational Plan July 2020 through October 2020

10 Final Capital Plan September 2020 through February 2021

11 Final Organization/Oversight Plan September 2020 through January 2021

12 Go Live August 2021 through December 2021

Appendix A

Red Route – Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound

Red Route – Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound Travel Map

Red Route – Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound Travel Stops

Stop Location Purpose Park and

Ride Transit

ConnectionsShared Stop Comments

UNL Innovation Campus

UNL Campus, Bus Layover

Point Yes

StarTran Routes 22 and 23

Red/Black/Gold Connections to

UNL East Campus

UNL Union UNL main

campus stop No


Red/Black Gold Connections to

UNL East Campus

Gold’s Building StarTran Hub

Connections with StarTran

network, access for downtown

residents

No

StarTran Routes 13,27, 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 49, 51, 52,53, 54, 55 (Downtown

Trolley), and 56

Red/Black Gold Main StarTran transfer point,

Downtown Trolley

Gateway Mall Park and ride

for central/east Lincoln

Yes StarTran 44 and

48 Red

U-Stop Convenience Store 84th and U.S. Highway 6

Existing park and ride location

Yes None Red

SAC Museum

Museum employees, park

and ride for Ashland area

Yes None Red Non-urbanized

area stop location

Aksarben Transit Center

Aksarben Village

No Metro Transit

Routes 18,55,11,15, 13

Red/Gold Office, medical, higher density

residential

Peter Kiewit Institute, UNO

UNO South Campus

No UNO Campus Shuttle, NE-

Ride NE-Ride

Engineering School

42nd and Dewey UNMC No Metro Transit 3

and 15 Red/Gold

40th and Dodge ORBT stop No ORBT, Metro 92

and 98 Red/Black/Gold

24th and Douglas/Dodge

Creighton University

No Metro Transit 24, Creighton

Shuttle Red/Black/Gold


Downtown Omaha

No

Metro Green Downtown

Shuttle, Metro 4, 13 Y, B and 95

Red/Black/Gold Downtown

employment stop, shuttle connection

Eppley Airport Airport No None Red/Black/Gold On trips with no

intercity bus connection

Intercity Bus/Amtrak Station

Connections to national network of intercity bus

services

No

Burlington Trailways,

Express Arrow, Jefferson Lines

to Kansas

Red/Black/Gold

Connections to/from intercity

carriers to more distant points

Red Route – Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound Weekdays Timetable and Returns

Eastbound – A.M. Departures

UNL- Innovation Campus

4:30 a.m. 5:00 a.m. 5:30 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

UNL-Student Union 4:36 a.m. 5:06 a.m. 5:36 a.m. 6:06 a.m. 6:36 a.m. 7:36 a.m. 9:36 a.m. 11:36 a.m.

Gold's-StarTran Hub 4:44 a.m. 5:14 a.m. 5:44 a.m. 6:14 a.m. 6:44 a.m. 7:44 a.m. 9:44 a.m. 11:44 a.m.

Gateway Mall/Park and Ride


84th and Cornhusker Park and Ride

5:15 a.m. 5:45 a.m. 6:15 a.m. 6:45 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m.

Ashland-SAC Museum


Metro Aksarben Transit Center


UNO Engineering School/PKI


UNMC-42nd and Dewey


24th and Douglas 6:34 a.m. 7:04 a.m. 7:34 a.m. 8:04 a.m. 8:34 a.m. 9:34 a.m. 11:34 a.m. 1:34 p.m.

14th and Douglas 6:42 a.m. 7:12 a.m. 7:42 a.m. 8:12 a.m. 8:42 a.m. 9:42 a.m. 11:42 a.m. 1:42 p.m.

Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station 7:50 a.m. 11:50 a.m. 1:50 p.m.

Eppley Airport 6:50 a.m. 7:20 a.m. 8:20 a.m. 8:50 a.m. 9:50 a.m.

Westbound – P.M. Departures

Eppley Airport LV 1:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station LV 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m.

14th and Douglas 1:08 p.m. 3:08 p.m. 5:08 p.m. 5:38 p.m. 6:08 p.m. 6:38 p.m. 9:38 p.m.


UNMC-42nd and Dewey

1:24 p.m. 3:24 p.m. 5:24 p.m. 5:54 p.m. 6:24 p.m. 6:54 p.m. 9:54 p.m.

UNO Engineering School/PKI

1:34 p.m. 3:34 p.m. 5:34 p.m. 6:04 p.m. 6:34 p.m. 7:04 p.m. 10:04 p.m.

Metro Aksarben Transit Center

1:40 p.m. 3:40 p.m. 5:40 p.m. 6:10 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 7:10 p.m. 10:10 p.m.

Ashland-SAC Museum

2:08 p.m. 4:08 p.m. 6:08 p.m. 6:38 p.m. 7:08 p.m. 7:38 p.m. 10:38 p.m.

84th and Cornhusker Park and Ride

2:35 p.m. 4:35 p.m. 6:35 p.m. 7:05 p.m. 7:35 p.m. 8:05 p.m. 11:05 p.m.

Westbound – P.M. Departures (continued)

Gateway Mall/Park and Ride

2:51 p.m. 4:51 p.m. 6:51 p.m. 7:21 p.m. 7:51 p.m. 8:21 p.m. 11:21 p.m.

Gold's-StarTran Hub 3:06 p.m. 5:06 p.m. 7:06 p.m. 7:36 p.m. 8:06 p.m. 8:36 p.m. 11:36 p.m.

UNL-Student Union 3:12 p.m. 5:12 p.m. 7:12 p.m. 7:42 p.m. 8:12 p.m. 8:42 p.m. 11:42 p.m.

UNL- Innovation Campus

3:20 p.m. 5:20 p.m. 7:20 p.m. 7:50 p.m. 8:20 p.m. 8:50 p.m. 11:50 p.m.

Appendix B

Black Route – Omaha to Lincoln Westbound

Black Route –Omaha to Lincoln Westbound Travel Map

Black Route – Omaha to Lincoln Westbound Travel Stops

Stop Location

Purpose Park and

Ride? Transit

Connections Shared Stop Comments

Intercity Bus/Amtrak

Station

Connections to national

network of intercity bus

services

No

Burlington Trailways,

Express Arrow, Jefferson Lines to

Kansas

Red/Black/Gold

Connections to/from intercity

carriers to more distant points

Eppley Airport Airport No None Red/Black/Gold On trips with no

intercity bus connection


Creighton University

No Metro Transit 24, Creighton Shuttle

Red/Black/Gold

42nd and Dodge UNMC No ORBT, Metro 92

and 98

70th and Dodge UNO Main Campus

No ORBT, Metro 92

and 98, UNO Campus Shuttle

Walk to shuttle to connect with Red

or Gold at PKI

Westroads Transit Center

(Westroads Mall)

Park and ride opportunity for north and west

Omaha

Yes ORBT, Metro 4,

5, 14

City of La Vista Park and Ride Lot (12703 Westport Pkwy, La Vista,

NE 68138

Park and ride opportunity for west and south

Omaha

Yes None

Nebraska Crossing Outlets

Park and ride opportunity for Gretna area

Yes None Nonurbanized area

stop

Gold’s Building StarTran hub

Connections with StarTran

network, access for downtown

residents

No

StarTran Routes 13,27, 40, 41, 42,

44, 46, 49, 51, 52,53, 54, 55 (Downtown

Trolley), and 56

Red/Black Gold Main StarTran transfer point,

Downtown Trolley

State Capitol Key Lincoln destination

No StarTran

Downtown Trolley

UNL Union UNL main

campus stop No


Red/Black Gold Connections to

UNL East Campus


UNL Campus, Bus Layover

Point Yes


Red/Black/Gold Connections to

UNL East Campus

Black Route – Omaha to Lincoln Westbound Weekdays Timetable and Returns

Westbound – A.M. Departures

Eppley Airport 6:58 a.m. 10:58 a.m.

Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station LV

4:30 AM 5:00 AM 5:30 AM 6:00 AM 6:30 AM 9:00 a.m.

24th and Dodge 4:41 a.m. 5:11 a.m. 5:41 a.m. 6:11 a.m. 6:41 a.m. 7:09 a.m. 9:11 a.m. 11:09 a.m.

UNMC-42nd and Dodge


UNO-70th and Dodge


Westroads (Park and Ride)


City of La Vista Park & Ride (Cabela's)


Nebraska Crossing Mall (P&R)


Gold's-Startran Hub 6:09 a.m. 6:39 a.m. 7:09 a.m. 7:39 a.m. 8:09 a.m. 8:37 a.m. 10:39 a.m. 12:37 p.m.

State Capitol/State Office Building


UNL Student Union 6:23 a.m. 6:47 a.m. 7:17 a.m. 7:47 a.m. 8:17 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 10:47 a.m. 12:45 p.m.



Eastbound – P.M. Departures


1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m.

UNL Student Union 1:36 p.m. 3:36 p.m. 4:06 p.m. 4:36 p.m. 5:36 p.m. 6:06 p.m. 9:36 p.m.

Gold's StarTran Hub 1:44 p.m. 3:44 p.m. 4:14 p.m. 4:44 p.m. 5:44 p.m. 6:14 p.m. 9:44 p.m.

State Capitol/State Office Building

1:50 p.m. 3:50 p.m. 4:20 p.m. 4:50 p.m. 5:50 p.m. 6:20 p.m. 9:50 p.m.

Nebraska Crossing Mall (P&R)

2:23 p.m. 4:23 p.m. 4:53 p.m. 5:23 p.m. 6:23 p.m. 6:53 p.m. 10:23 p.m.

City of La Vista Park & Ride (Cabela's)

2:37 p.m. 4:37 p.m. 5:07 p.m. 5:37 p.m. 6:37 p.m. 7:07 p.m. 10:37 p.m.

Westroads Mall (Park and Ride)

2:47 p.m. 4:47 p.m. 5:17 p.m. 5:47 p.m. 6:47 p.m. 7:17 p.m. 10:47 p.m.

UNO-70th and Dodge

3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 11:00 p.m.

UNMC-42nd and Dodge

3:07 p.m. 5:07 p.m. 5:37 p.m. 6:07 p.m. 7:07 p.m. 7:37 p.m. 11:07 p.m.

Eastbound – P.M. Departures


Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station-ARR

3:23 p.m. 5:23 p.m. 7:23 p.m. 11:23 p.m.

Eppley Airport AR 5:53 p.m. 6:23 p.m. 7:53 p.m.

Appendix C

Gold Route – U.S. Highway 6

Gold Route –U.S. Highway 6 Travel Map

Gold Route –U.S. Highway 6 Travel Stops

Stop Location

Purpose Park and

Ride?

Transit Connections

Shared Stop

Comments

Intercity Bus/Amtrak Station

Connections to national network of

intercity bus services

No

Burlington Trailways, Express Arrow, Jefferson Lines to Kansas

Red/Black/Gold Connections to/from intercity carriers to more distant points

24th and Douglas/Dodge Creighton University

No Metro Transit 24, Creighton Shuttle

Red/Black/Gold

40th and Dodge ORBT stop No ORBT, Metro 92

and 98 Red/Black/Gold

42nd and Dewey UNMC No Metro Transit 3 and

15 Red/Gold

Veteran’s Hospital-Omaha

Medical No Metro Transit 3 and

15

Peter Kiewit Institute, UNO

UNO South Campus

No UNO Campus

Shuttle, NE-Ride NE-Ride Engineering School

Aksarben Transit Center

Aksarben Village No Metro Transit

Routes 18,55,11,15, 13

Red/Gold Office, medical, higher

density residential

Wal-Mart Super Center 11350 Wickersham

Blvd, Gretna, NE 68028

Shopping opportunity

No None

Nebraska Crossing Outlets

Park and ride opportunity for Gretna area

Yes None Black Nonurbanized area

stop

Ashland Downtown stop at municipal parking

Yes None Nonurbanized area

stop

Greenwood Yes None Nonurbanized area

stop

Waverly Yes None Nonurbanized area

stop

Lincoln Bus Depot

Connections to national network of

intercity bus services

Yes StarTran 41 and 48 Connections to/from intercity carriers to more distant points

Wal-Mart Super Center, 4700 N. 27th St., Lincoln

Shopping opportunity

No StarTran 41 and 48


UNL Campus, Bus Layover Point

Yes StarTran Routes 22

and 23 Red/Black

Connections to UNL East Campus

UNL Union UNL main campus

stop No


Red/Black Connections to UNL

East Campus

Gold’s Building StarTran hub

Connections with StarTran network,

access for downtown residents

No

StarTran Routes 13,27, 40, 41, 42,

44, 46, 49, 51, 52,53, 54, 55

(Downtown Trolley), and 56

Red/Black Main StarTran transfer

point, Downtown Trolley

Gold Route –U.S. Highway 6 Weekdays Timetable and Returns

Westbound Omaha to Lincoln Stops and Departures

Eastbound Lincoln to Omaha Stops and Departures

Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station-LV

7:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Gold's-StarTran Hub

7:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

11th and Dodge 7:07 a.m. 11:37 a.m. 4:37 p.m. UNL Student Union 7:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.

24th and Dodge 7:12 a.m. 11:42 a.m. 4:42 p.m. UNL Innovation Campus

7:37 a.m. 11:37 a.m. 4:37 p.m.

UNMC-42nd and Dewey

7:19 a.m. 11:49 a.m. 4:49 p.m. Walmart Supercenter, 4700 N 27th St., Lincoln

7:46 a.m. 11:46 a.m. 4:46 p.m.

VA Hospital 7:26 a.m. 11:56 a.m. 4:56 p.m. Arrow Stage Lines/Superior

7:57 a.m. 11:57 a.m. 4:57 p.m.

UNO Peter Kiewit Institute

7:39 a.m. 12:09 p.m. 5:09 p.m. Waverly 8:06 a.m. 12:06 p.m. 5:06 p.m.

Aksarben Transit Center (68th and Mercy Rd, NW)

7:44 a.m. 12:14 p.m. 5:14 p.m. Greenwood 8:19 a.m. 12:19 p.m. 5:19 p.m.

Walmart Supercenter 11350 Wickersham Blvd, Gretna (at 370)

8:03 a.m. 12:33 p.m. 5:33 p.m. Ashland (Town Center)

8:27 a.m. 12:27 p.m. 5:27 p.m.

Gretna 8:09 a.m. 12:39 p.m. 5:39 p.m. Nebraska Crossing Park and Ride

8:37 a.m. 12:37 p.m. 5:37 p.m.

Nebraska Crossing Park and Ride

8:10 a.m. 12:40 p.m. 5:40 p.m. Gretna 8:50 a.m. 12:50 p.m. 5:50 p.m.

Ashland (Town Center)

8:23 a.m. 12:53 p.m. 5:53 p.m. Walmart at 370 8:57 a.m. 12:57 p.m. 5:57 p.m.

Greenwood 8:33 a.m. 1:03 p.m. 6:03 p.m. Aksarben Transit Center (68th and Mercy Rd, NW)

8:56 a.m. 12:56 p.m. 5:56 p.m.

Waverly 8:41 a.m. 1:11 p.m. 6:11 p.m. UNO Peter Kiewit Institute

9:15 a.m. 1:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m.

Arrow Stage Lines/Superior

8:54 a.m. 1:24 p.m. 6:24 p.m. VA Hospital 9:20 a.m. 1:20 p.m. 6:20 p.m.

Walmart Supercenter, 4700 N 27th St., Lincoln

9:03 AM 1:33 PM 6:33 PM UNMC-42nd and Dodge

9:33 a.m. 1:33 p.m. 6:33 p.m.


9:14 AM 1:44 PM 6:44 PM 24th and Douglas 9:40 a.m. 1:40 p.m. 6:40 p.m.

UNL Student Union 9:23 AM 1:53 PM 6:53 PM 11th and Douglas 9:47 a.m. 1:47 p.m. 6:47 p.m.

Gold's-StarTran Hub 9:30 AM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM Amtrak/Intercity Bus Station-ARR

9:52 a.m. 1:52 p.m. 6:52 p.m.

Documents

Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary · Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary June 2020 1 1.0 Executive Summary As part of the continuation of the Nebraska Mobility