City Bus Planners Seek Your Input. Tell Them Where You Want Metro to Go Next

By Elle Love

Omaha’s bus system, Metro, is seeking public comment on MetroNEXT, its year-long initiative to improve transit in Omaha and the surrounding region. Hundreds of community members have already shared their experiences, ideas and priorities in the initial phase of the project.

Based on rider input, Metro staff developed three scenarios (A, B, and C) for the next 5 to 10 years and now they want more public feedback.

Scenarios A, B and C are explained in depth on a MetroNEXT webpage.

After studying the scenarios, Metro requests that the public fill out an online survey or a printed copy of the survey which is available on buses.

This week, community members will have the opportunity to attend a Zoom meeting and/or a Facebook live to hear presentations by Lauren Cencic, Metro’s CEO and Evan Schweitz, a senior transit planner. An open house at Metro’s office, 2222 Cuming St., will also be held, but no presentations will be given (see schedule below).

What are the Scenarios?

Scenario A involves enhancing rider amenities such as expansion of the ORBT network, a new Park & Ride in North Omaha, additional bus shelters and real-time arrival displays at the most active bus stops.

Scenario B prioritizes improving frequency of buses and extending hours of operation.

Scenario C would expand service to new areas including daily service to Eppley Airport.

At the first open house on Mar. 1, CEO Cencic said 24th St. will be a priority because it is one of the most heavily used bus routes.

Lauren Cencic Metro CEO

“We’re here to get feedback so we can come up with what the final plan is.”

“All of these are basically our aspirational 5-10 year plans of what we would like to do. We would like to find funding for them. We’re really outlining the different approaches we can take. Investing in infrastructure versus frequency versus expanding our coverage area,” said Cencic. “This really helps us identify the pros and cons of those different approaches. We’re here to get feedback so we can come up with what the final plan is.”

LaVonya Goodwin, president of the North Omaha Business Improvement District, attended the first open house. “The study for Metro Transit, including the 24th St. area, will benefit people who ride the bus the most in our city, she said. “I’m looking at how we can upgrade amenities, looking at how we can continue to increase frequency and the connectivity around the region and it’s going to be critical for, again, some of the most used areas in our city.”