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NTRAC Final Study - Nebraska Department of Roads - State of ...

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CHAPTER 6 – EXPRESS BUS PLANS<br />

Table 6-8: Operating Subsidies and Fare Box Recovery in 2010<br />

Service Revenue O&M Cost Subsidy Requirement Fare Box<br />

Recovery<br />

Scenario A $120,000 to $141,000 $210,000 $70,000 to $91,000 57%-67%<br />

Scenario B $288,000 to $381,000 $649,000 $268,000 to $361,000 44%-59%<br />

Scenario C $168,000 to $241,000 $439,000 $198,000 to $270,000 38%-55%<br />

Source: Wilbur Smith Associates, July 2003<br />

Subsidy calculation differentials: account rounding<br />

Scenarios A and B combine revenues and costs for multiple bus services, whereas Scenario C<br />

served just Lincoln-Omaha, albeit a bidirectional market. Breaking out Scenarios A and B into<br />

individual bus markets shows that Fremont-Omaha service has an operating subsidy requirement<br />

<strong>of</strong> between $51,000 and $64,000 in 2010, and Blair-Omaha service has an operating subsidy<br />

requirement <strong>of</strong> between $18,000 and $24,000 in 2010.<br />

SPECIAL EVENT SERVICE<br />

If the buses procured for commuter service were deployed for special event traffic (e.g.<br />

Cornhusker fall football games and winter basketball games), there would be both additional<br />

revenues and costs. Given the financial performance analyzed above, it seems reasonable that<br />

the special events runs could cover their costs <strong>of</strong> operations, especially if higher slightly higher<br />

fares were to apply. However, there is a caveat. If federal funds were used to purchase these<br />

buses, the funding may constrain the use <strong>of</strong> the buses for special event runs, assuming that there<br />

is a commercial bus service providing the same service. This is because the provision may be<br />

perceived as unfair competition for a charter bus service. Should there be no such commercial<br />

service, there would be no such conflict. The University <strong>of</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> does not <strong>of</strong>fer a charter bus<br />

service for special events at this time.<br />

INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE<br />

As noted for the rail operating plan, the commuter bus service will require an institutional<br />

structure to conduct its business. There must be a sponsoring agency to procure rolling stock,<br />

contract the operator, and secure the funding to cover any required subsidy. This agency could<br />

also sponsor the commuter rail operation, if implemented per Scenario B.<br />

Potential institutional structures were discussed in Chapter 5, and that discussion is not repeated<br />

here other than to note the most likely candidate types:<br />

A Joint Powers Authority (JPA), composed <strong>of</strong> the jurisdictions served by the commuter<br />

operation. These could include the Cities <strong>of</strong> Fremont, Blair, Lincoln, Gretna and Omaha,<br />

and also include Dodge, Washington, Douglas and Sarpy Counties. <strong>State</strong> agencies may<br />

even be part <strong>of</strong> the JPA.<br />

Special Districts (e.g. Bay Area Rapid Transit District).<br />

A Regional Transportation Agency (e.g. RTA in Chicago).<br />

The latter two may require special enabling legislation. Whatever the specific form that the<br />

agency takes, it will comprise two elements – a policy making body, or a board, and a small staff<br />

384180<br />

NEBRASKA TRANSIT CORRIDORS STUDY<br />

Page 6 - 11<br />

WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES

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