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Lincoln's city bus service to make changes

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 12:07:08 pm CDT

Mayor Chris Beutler said Thursday that changes are on the way for the city’s transit system, starting with route and schedule changes next month.

He said the  new schedules and routes, which go into effect June 5, result from a study and were developed with StarTran bus riders’ input.

There will be more frequent service on key routes, new schedules, service to locations near Nebraska 2 on Lincoln’s east side, new downtown routing, new neighborhood routes and a free downtown shuttle.

Story Photo
In this September 2001 file photo, StarTran passengers are dropped off next to the downtown YMCA. (LJS File)

Related Link(s):


See the new routes and schedules
StarTran open houses

May 14: 11 a.m to 1 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Energy Square, 11th and O streets

May 15: 4 to 6 p.m., Union College Ortner Center, 48th and Prescott

May 19: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Energy Square, 11th and O streets

May 21: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Energy Square, 11th and O streets

May 29: 4 to 6 p.m., Nebraska Wesleyan McDonald Theatre, 51st and Huntington

June 2: 4 to 6 p.m., Eiseley Branch Library, 1530 Superior St.

June 4: 4 to 6 p.m., Beattie Elementary, 19th and Calvert



Live radio remote broadcasts

June 5: 96 KX (96.9 FM): 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gold’s Building, 11th and N streets

KFOR (1240 AM): 4 to 6 p.m., State Office Building, 14th and M streets

StarTran also will add two main downtown route transfer stations, Transit Manager Larry Worth said.

While the new system should be provide better connections, reduce transfers and improve overall service, Beutler said still more ideas and improvements are needed. 

“I intend to explore the cost-effectiveness of smaller buses,” he said at a news conference. “I will seriously examine the impact of fairly dramatic changes in the fare schedules to encourage greater ridership.”

Beutler said he wants to make “StarTran work for the entire  community ... change is imminent,” he said.

Residents said that public transportation was important during “Priority Lincoln” —  a recent effort to solicit public opinion on how the city should spend tax dollars.

Respondents indicated they valued public transportation, Beutler said, but were equally adamant that they wanted greater efficiency. 

“I heard a real concern about the cost-effectiveness of operating buses that too often run nearly empty for significant portions of the day,” he said. “I share those concerns.”    

StarTran will offer a free pre-validated pass to each person attending a scheduled open house or other informational event about the changes.

“With gas prices continuing to climb, more and more people are considering StarTran,”  Worth said.  “We hope they will use the free passes to give (city buses) a try.” 

Worth said the new downtown route transfer stations will be:

* In addition to the existing 11th and N Street transfer station, a new station will be added on the north side of N Street between 10th and 11th streets.

* In addition to the existing transfer station on 14th Street west of the State Office Building, a new transfer station will be added on the north side of that building.


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mr. bus driver wrote on May 8, 2008 12:16 pm:
" 1. install bike racks, to promote use of other alternative transportation.

2. get rid of the fares completely. that's right. make it free to ride the bus, and you will see more riders/usage. i'm fairly certain we already subsidize a huge chunk of star tran and the money fares bring in is negligible. less congestion/pollution will result. "

 Carl wrote on May 8, 2008 12:47 pm:
" I agree with the bike racks, I live around 27th and Yankee Hill and work at the Airport. The only way I could ride the bus to work would be to catch it at South Pointe, and get off at NW 12th and Adams. However I would either have to drive to South Pointe and park my truck then once I get off the bus I would have to walk about 1.5 miles to my work, or if I could bring my bike I could ride to South Pointe, and then ride the 1.5 miles to my workplace. To me until they put racks on the buses there is no way I am able to ride the bus to work. "

 rider wrote on May 8, 2008 12:48 pm:
" so now rather than having one bus every hour on O Street, I have two buses following each other every half hour. Why not stagger them so that I have a bus every 15 minutes???? On the other side, every half hour is far better than every hour. I still prefer every 15 minutes because not every schedule, both the bus driver or mine, is set in stone every day. "

 Hank wrote on May 8, 2008 1:07 pm:
" First suggestion: Install bike racks! "

 Same fare for everyone - wrote on May 8, 2008 1:11 pm:
" I think a monthly bus pass should cost the same for everyone - not $5 for some people and $35 for others. "

 Bike Racks wrote on May 8, 2008 1:13 pm:
" Please add bike racks to the city bus. I would love to take the bus to work (when it is too dark to ride my bike) and be able to bike home. I think adding bike racks would increase ridership. "

 hooray wrote on May 8, 2008 1:21 pm:
" I'm happy to see that StarTran is FINALLY getting changes to become more efficient. My suggestion is to have them start running earlier in the day, and keep running until later at night. Not everyone works 9 to 5 and it would be great to be able to use public transportation for going places in the evening as well. "

 It is not free wrote on May 8, 2008 1:42 pm:
" Sure...then why don't we start passing out free health care too. You are right, that quarter is stopping everyone from riding the bus. "

 not just a college town wrote on May 8, 2008 1:44 pm:
" One thing my mother commented on when she was deciding which child to live near - there's no bus service on Sundays. I'm sure it gets costly for seniors with no family to take them, having to use a cab to get to church.

PO Pears is now gone as such - one of the things I really liked about them was the bus ride back to campus - took drunk drivers off the streets - think maybe Star Tran could do a similar "run" to popular areas? "

 Scott wrote on May 8, 2008 1:45 pm:
" They need to consider routes up and down major corridors, such as 70th St. You should be able to go from S 70th to O or N 70th without having to go all the way downtown and back. This would work on 56th, 48th, etc. just as well. Smaller vehicles are also a must, scrap the big gas hog busses for minibusses or vans. "

 Pauline wrote on May 8, 2008 1:45 pm:
" Promote "park and ride" using the two shopping centers as parking locations and have express shuttles from those locations. Run the express shuttles two times in the morning and two times in the afternoon. Encourage businesses to subsidize the cost of the bus pass for their employees. Make sure each and every bus driver is courteous to each and every passenger. "

 sevn wrote on May 8, 2008 2:06 pm:
" So, is the free shuttle the Star Shuttle, or is there new shuttle? "

 bike ride wrote on May 8, 2008 2:29 pm:
" Add Bike racks to the buses - this would really help when the bus doesn't come close enough to walk from/to destination. This would also help if you can only bike one way OR if you need to travel one way after bus service ends. "

 Chris wrote on May 8, 2008 3:18 pm:
" very nice to see the downtown shuttle actually have times when people can use it instead of from 9 till 4. Bravo, I'll consider now when it's raining. "

 RYan wrote on May 8, 2008 3:23 pm:
" I never see more than five people on a bus, who pays for this? I have never or never will ride the bus, but I assume my tax dollars pay for most everything. Get ride of it! Use bikes or cabs. "

 Lisa wrote on May 8, 2008 4:16 pm:
" FANTASTIC - I love public transportation. To the guy who's never seen more than 5 people on a bus - sit at the corner of 33rd Holdrege.

keep your ideas coming on what would/wouldn't work in routes, times, prices. I agree EVERY PERSON should pay the SAME AMOUNT regardless of age, gender, sexual preference, national origin... "

 Could You wrote on May 8, 2008 4:46 pm:
" imagine bike racks? How long could a bus stay on schedule trying to cater to people putting on and taking off bikes? How much of an investment is it for new small buses? We're in a recession and spending money like a drunk sailor. I can say that because I was one. Go to a city in comparible size and see how they run their buses then go back and make the plans for a new system. Use the people on the payroll instead of paying an outside source 100K for their advise. I know of at least a half dozen towns lincoln size that seem to have a good mass transit system. "

 echo bike racks please wrote on May 8, 2008 4:57 pm:
" [Sentiment Echo] Please, please install bike racks. I inquired a few months ago and received the reply that a bike is only allowed if it can fold up under my seat. :-) Take a look at other Metro centers and you'll find bike racks at the front of the bus. More Startran ridership, less fuel consumption, fewer potholes (with fewer vehicles), less carbon, less congestion on the roads, and a healthy Lincoln all from just a handful of bike racks. Please...bike racks... "

 JPC wrote on May 8, 2008 5:43 pm:
" Same fare for everyone:
There are a lot of low income folks that take the bus....so what if they get a montly pass for less money. You may not think that $35 is a lot of money, but to people on very limited incomes $35 can mean the diffrence between paying the rent or eating. Would you rather have more homeless & hungry people in Lincoln or everyone paying the same fare?? "

 Make easy more people will ride wrote on May 8, 2008 7:44 pm:
" How about a guaranteed ride home if on a limited bus route, that runs just morning and evening commute, for personal emergencies. Des Moines offers this. Like a courtesy van that car dealerships use. I think that would help a lot of working parents. It looks like there is a need for bike racks too. I see there are quite a few mass transits that offer bike racks on the buses. Nighttime buses would be nice as well. I think the way the gas prices are going we will be seeing more and more people on the bus. The only bus service that seems really successful is the Nebraska game day shuttles.
"

 nathan wrote on May 8, 2008 7:44 pm:
" If you want a better system, you have to have more people riding the buses. Currently, our fixed costs are higher than our variable costs, i.e., we have buses driving around that are nearly empty! Seattle Washington has placed a ban on new parking garages downtown which FORCES people to ride the bus/take the train for at least part of their journey. High gas prices help, but we need MORE incentives to get people to ride. At the same time, we need better hours. If I can't go to a late movie or a bar and still get home, I'm taking my car. "

 sheila whitson wrote on May 8, 2008 7:49 pm:
" I am happy with the changes in the bus service except for the price of the monthly bus pass.Alot of people depend on public transportation and on fixed incomes.The bus service is more reliable and dependable better than the cab company. "

 skw wrote on May 8, 2008 7:54 pm:
" I would like to see buses run on Sundays. People do work on Sunday's "

 bikerack wrote on May 8, 2008 9:43 pm:
" wasn't there an article a few months back that said one of the reasons there were not bike racks on the front of the buses was because the bus could not fit in the garage if the rack was on it? "

 Joe wrote on May 8, 2008 9:54 pm:
" So if they were go to the added expense of adding bike racks what would you do if they were all loaded up with other peoples bikes? What would you do then? Just asking. "

 Too time consuming wrote on May 8, 2008 10:09 pm:
" We live a mile from Southpointe. A couple of years ago, I inquired about bus service to get out near 84th & South street, by 8:00am weekdays and home after 3:15. Here is what I was told: 1) find a way to Southpointe, buses don't do residental pickup. 2) Bus leaves Southpointe at 7:00am, travels downtown, resulting in a transfer, and arrives at 84th & South around 7:50am. 3) For the return trip home, bus doesn't leave 84th & South until 3:45pm, travels downtown for a transfer, and ultimately back at Southpointe around 5:15pm, at which I would then need to walk the mile back home.
After arriving home around 5:40pm (buses always run late) I would still have to make supper for my family, help with homework, etc. And get up extra early the next day to start all over again. Adding up my lost time, the bus fare, I decided that the then $3/gallon gas was more affordable than taking the bus. Until we get better service to outlying areas, reduce the ridiculous transfers downtown and have better bus hours, I will continue to pay for gas. Time is money, and frankly, I don't have two hours to spend on buses. "

 shuttle wrote on May 8, 2008 10:29 pm:
" The mayor seems keen on performance audits. How many bus stops are actually at a bike path intersection? For example, the bus stop sign east t of 70th & Pioneers is at a place where there isn’t even a side walk! "

 umm wrote on May 8, 2008 11:07 pm:
" am really tired of seeing the empty buses running around town on my dime. maybe the poor can get better jobs to get real transportation? "

 Matt wrote on May 9, 2008 5:44 am:
" Seriously, how much extra could bike rakes costs? And they do fold up at the front of the bus, so as long as your bus parking area has a couple extra feet to spare they'll be fine.

I have seen bike rakes with enough space for 3 bikes, perhaps there are models that allow for more. But the point is it is a simple modification that will encourage more bus and cycle commuters.

If the bike rakes end up being full all the time, well then that's a GOOD problem to have. Stop thinking so negatively about this. I presume that if ridership is up by that much then maybe, just maybe, the city could add another bus to the heaviest routes. "

 daily rider wrote on May 9, 2008 6:28 am:
" I ride the bus and get the 5 dollar pass for me and my kid every month. I am also physically disabled and a college student at SCC. I love/hate the transit system here. Love it because: With my financial situation and the economy the way it is, I will never be able to afford a car again. So the bus is a great way for me to get us where we need to go. The bad: My life ends at 6 pm. And depending on the time of day - sometimes it takes me up to 2 hours to get home after my last class.
But all in all it's a much better alternative than me having to walk the 5 miles (each way)to school from my apartment, or shelling out $30.00 for a round trip fare with the cab company. So - thank god for StarTran! "

 Dano wrote on May 9, 2008 8:58 am:
" I agree with the bike rack sentinment. It might be a little slow, but they do it in other places i have ridden the bus on and it works well. i know I would use the bus more often if that were the case.. I only use it when i carpool now and want to leave early or the weather is poor, but if I could put my bike on the back and take it as close to my acreage as i can get, I would ride my bike the rest of the way, and get some much needed exercise.

Also, routes that are more linear in nature would be better, where you transfer around would be good. As long as you can get a transfer pass to get on your next bus. The O street shuttle is a good example. then if you catch a north south circular that alternates woud work great. People don't use the bus, because everything routes all over the place and takes far too long. Shorten the routes to more centric styles would help. you may have to transfer once or twice to get all the way across town, but it would be more efficient for riders if they weren't so extended and more frequent. Miss my bus right now, and I have to wait an hour fo rthe next one. Kind of makes it usage harder. "

 Amanda wrote on May 9, 2008 12:20 pm:
" Maybe a system that allowed for people to work hours other than 9-5 would help ridership? Right now, I'd have to get down to 11th and N by 6:15 to catch the bus, then wait till 4:15 or 4:45 to catch the bus home back to 11th and N - but it's a mile to my house, so a rather long walk come bad weather or winter as it frequently is in Lincoln. "

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