Public Meetings September 4-6, 2019

Lincoln/Omaha Intercity

Bus Feasibility Study

Mobility Management – Phase 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuWS4XGb-G4

• Welcome/Introductions

• NDOT Mobility Management Project

• Overview of Study

Scope / Schedule / Technical Committee

• Study Goals

• Existing Data

• Community Outreach

• Key Questions

• Next Steps

Meeting Agenda

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History of Mobility Management Project

• Began over seven years ago

• Understand existing services

• Develop realistic projects to increase coordination and efficiencies among agencies

• Six Regions Developed

• Phase 2 =

3 Rounds of Regional Coordination Committee Meetings

• November 2016 - last mtg

Identified - Needs, gaps, strategies

• Seven projects initiated

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Project Overview Fast Forward…...2019 Phase 3

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July-Aug

2019

• Kickoff

• Collect Data

Sept

2019

• Review Data

• Public Input

Oct

2019

• Data Analysis

Nov-Dec

2019

• Develop Alternatives

• Public Input - 2

• Finalize Alternatives

Mar

2020

• Draft Report

• Public Input – 3

• Final Report

Schedule / Scope

• July 2019 to March 2020

• Monthly Project Team Meetings

• Technical Committee

• Stakeholder Interviews/Survey

Intercity Bus - Project Tasks

1. Develop Tech Committee2. Review Studies / plans3. Community Engagement4. Community Overview5. Existing Services6. Transit Needs7. Develop Alternatives / Prioritize8. Potential Funding Programs9. Operational Plan/Implementation10. Draft/Final Report

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Jan-Feb

2020

• Provide efficient mobility options

• Enhance economic activity by providing additional

mobility options to residents and visitors

• Coordinate with local representatives from each

community, existing providers, and other key

stakeholders

• Fill transportation gaps in the region

Study Goals / Objectives

6

Existing Conditions – Community Overview

• Review of Communities

Population growth

Travel patterns

Activity/Employment Centers

Transit dependent characteristics

• Existing Studies

• Existing Services

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Existing Conditions – Community Overview

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Previous Studies

• Existing Studies

2003 NE Transit Corridor Study

2016 Statewide Intercity Bus Concept Plan

2018 Close the Gap

2019 Blueprint Nebraska

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Blueprint NebraskaHigh Priority Initiatives – July 2019

Existing Transportation Services

Lincoln – Omaha Intercity Bus Connections

• Burlington Trailways: Night service Omaha-Denver, Omaha-Indianapolis/Chicago

• Express Arrow: Day service Omaha-Denver, Norfolk-Omaha

• Navigator Express (no Sunday service): mid-day Kearney-Eppley Airport

• Windstar/Megabus: mid-day Lincoln-Omaha-Chicago

• Jefferson Lines

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UN College of Engineering Shuttle

• Free ride for students, faculty and staff between Lincoln campus (Othmer Hall), Peter Kiewit Institute, and UNMC (Emile Street).

• Engineering students and employees have first priority, first come, first serve.

• Fall 2019 schedule includes

6 daily round-trips, two-hour headways between 7:30 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.; limited summer service.

• Operated by Arrow Stage Lines (parent of Express Arrow)

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Successful Intercity Bus Programs/Similar Concepts

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Bustang, Bustang Outrider

- Colorado StatewideI-380 Express-

Cedar Rapids to Iowa City, IA

Successful Intercity Bus Programs/Similar Concepts

13

Northstar Link – Commuter Bus

St. Cloud, MN Area

Smart Way

and Smart Way Express-

Blacksburg to Roanoke, VA

Successful Intercity Bus Programs/Similar Concepts

14

KCATA K-10 Connector-

Lawrence to KC, KS

NMDOT Park and Ride

Commuter Bus-Six Routes

• Technical Committee

• Stakeholders / Focus Groups• Elected Officials• Major Employers• City/County/Tribal Staff• Transit Providers• Human Service Agencies• Educational Institutions• Community Organizations

• Existing and Future Transit Riders

• General Public

• Other

Community Engagement – Target Markets

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Now, we need to hear from you….

Now, we need to hear from you!

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1. Do you think frequent bus service between Lincoln and Omaha would be beneficial to the communities served? Will it provide more mobility options for residents?

2. Who do you think would use this intercity bus service? Students, employees, others?

3. What kinds of trips will people make—work trips, other?

Key Questions – Why and Who?

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4. What locations in each city (and in between) do you think would generate the most ridership?

5. Based on that, are there particular locations you would recommend for stops, including potential park and ride lots?

6. What times should service operate — in peak hours, at other times, days of the week? How early should it start, and how late should it run?

Key Questions - Where and How Frequently?

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7. Are there other attributes that are needed to make the service attractive—any aspects including fare costs and payment, information, on-board wi-fi, shelters, security aspects—what would be needed?

8. If this service existed, would you consider using it? What conditions would it need to meet to be attractive to you?

9. What challenges do you see in developing the service?

Key Questions – What would make it attractive?

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1. Technical Committee Monthly Calls

2. Community reviews

3. Online Survey

4. Existing transit providers

5. Transit Demand

6. Alternatives—Community Review!

Next Steps

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Project Contact Person:

Corinne Donahue, AICP; cdonahue@olsson.com,

402.970.2344

Thank YOU!!

Questions /

Discussion

Lincoln – Omaha Intercity Bus Feasibility Study

21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuWS4XGb-G4