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

Chapter 6
EXPRESS BUS PLANS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter outlines three scenarios for the provision of express bus service in the Fremont to
Omaha corridor; the Blair to Omaha corridor; and the Lincoln to Omaha corridor. The basic
elements of these scenarios, some order of magnitude costs, and ridership expectations are
discussed in this chapter. These express bus scenarios are a component of the larger effort to
examine the feasibility of transit alternatives for the region as a part of the Nebraska Transit
Corridors Study.
EXPRESS BUS SCENARIOS
The three proposed express bus scenarios will include more frequent, express bus service
focusing on linking Fremont and Omaha, Blair and Omaha, and Lincoln and Omaha. These
express bus service options will be examined in combination with and as an alternative to
commuter rail service as viable options for travel in the region. The three express bus service
options are proposed:
Scenario A: along with commuter rail between Lincoln and Omaha, express bus between
Omaha and Fremont and between Omaha and Blair;
Scenario B: express bus between Lincoln and Omaha, between Omaha and Fremont, and
between Omaha and Blair; and
Scenario C: express bus between Lincoln and Omaha.
In particular, express bus service between Omaha and Lincoln could be used to test the market
strength for enhanced public transit service in advance of committing to heavy investment
associated with commuter rail implementation.
A map of these scenarios appears as Figure 6-1 below. The express scenarios are designed to
primarily serve the home-to-work trip by focusing on service in the morning and evening peak.
A guaranteed ride home service is also recommended to provide riders with a level of comfort,
allowing for a way to get back home in the event of a day time emergency. These and other
specific assumptions for the express bus service are cited below.
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WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES