Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary Prepared For: Nebraska Department of Transportation, Public Transit 1400 Nebraska Hwy 2 Lincoln, Nebraska 68502 June 2020 Olsson Project No. 019-1932 Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary June 2020 Table of Contents 1.0 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Economic Development Benefits ...................................................................................... 2 2.0 Project Study Area .................................................................................................................... 2 3.0 Existing Transportation .............................................................................................................. 3 3.1 Local Transit Providers ..................................................................................................... 3 3.2 Intercity Providers ............................................................................................................. 4 3.3 Rideshare Programs ......................................................................................................... 4 4.0 Intercity Bus Peer Services ....................................................................................................... 4 5.0 Public Engagement ................................................................................................................... 6 5.1 Round One Community Engagement Meetings, September 4-6, 2019 ............................ 6 5.2 Round Two Community Engagement Meetings, November 13-15, 2019 ......................... 6 5.3 Round Three Community Engagement Meetings, February 25 -27, 2020 ........................ 7 5.4 Project Website and Social Media .................................................................................... 7 6.0 Transit Demand Estimates ........................................................................................................ 8 7.0 Development of Routes ............................................................................................................. 9 8.0 Preferred Route Alternatives ................................................................................................... 10 8.1 Red Route – I-80 Express Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound ............................................... 10 8.2 Black Route – I-80 Express Omaha to Lincoln Westbound ............................................ 10 8.3 Gold Route – U.S. Highway 6 ......................................................................................... 11 8.4 Intercity Bus Connectivity ................................................................................................ 11 9.0 Operating Costs ...................................................................................................................... 12 10.0 Funding and Implementation ................................................................................................... 12 Tables Table 1. Nebraska County Population Projections ........................................................................ 2 Table 2. Intercity Bus Peer Services .............................................................................................. 5 Table 3. Lincoln to Omaha Intercity Bus Funding Plan ................................................................ 12 Table 4. Implementation Plan ...................................................................................................... 13 Figures Figure 1. 2017 US Census, On the Map Application and LEHD OD Employment Data ................. 3 Appendices Appendix A Red Route – Lincoln to Omaha Eastbound Appendix B Black Route – Omaha to Lincoln Westbound Appendix C Gold Route – U.S. Highway 6 Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary June 2020 1.0 Executive Summary As part of the continuation of the Nebraska Mobility Management program, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) tasked the Mobility Management Team to study if feasible intercity bus service could be operated between Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. The study examined current demand and work patterns and determined if a service plan could be developed that would result in a well-used service. The idea of an intercity bus service between the two communities is not a new concept. Early study efforts began in 2003 with the Nebraska Transit Corridors Study, also known as NTRAC. From there, four other studies were completed including: Nebraska Intercity Bus Concept Plan, Close the Gap Heartland 2050, Blueprint Nebraska and the 2016 Statewide Mobility Intercity Bus Concept Plan. While all studies did not directly call out the Lincoln to Omaha corridor, they do set the stage for consideration of new transit services in the region. A consistent theme among the studies is to link the state’s two largest cities with transit options capable of addressing multiple trips in an efficient, value-added, and convenient service. More recently, statewide and regional visioning studies have called for Nebraska to develop transportation options and to become a transit leader for mid-sized cities throughout the United States. NDOT’s vision for the Lincoln to Omaha corridor is to provide an intercity bus service that will enhance the existing national intercity bus network and serve the needs identified by the communities along the corridor. Additional goals are to develop and implement increased service; raise community awareness and usage through a targeted marketing campaign; provide convenient and safe passenger bus stop infrastructure; and identify and improve park and ride facilities with appropriate bus stop amenities. During the extensive public engagement process, multiple people indicated they were unaware of current service options, routes, and costs. Future NDOT service will have an extensive and appropriate marketing campaign to raise public awareness. In addition, a key design element will be connectivity with existing local transit providers, Lincoln StarTran and Omaha Metro. Connections to final destinations need to be simple, seamless, and affordable. Several benefits to the intercity bus connection for residents in the Lincoln to Omaha corridor are listed below. Since Lincoln and Omaha are the most concentrated labor markets in the state, bus service can increase employee participation and raise the region’s connectivity to the statewide economy. Intercity bus service can help facilitate access to higher education with the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (UNL) and Omaha (UNO) campuses, as well as Creighton University, and several community colleges. There is strong evidence in academic and community- based research that increased levels of education leads to higher incomes and increased employment opportunities for those who live in rural communities. 1 Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary June 2020 Access to medical facilities can enhance health benefits for those seeking specialized medical care. Reductions to greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved through an alternative to a single occupancy vehicle. According to the American Public Transportation Association, a single person commuting 20 miles per day can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 4,800 pounds per year by using public transit. 1.1 Economic Development Benefits Economic development benefits could also be provided through intercity bus service. Investments in public transit can stimulate economic activity along the transit corridor as routes provide increased access to businesses and communities. Secondary economic benefits include resident’s financial opportunities to access better employment, receive increased wages through higher education, including increased skills to facilitate growth in their local communities and to live a healthier lifestyle with reduced medical costs. A final benefit of the intercity service is the opportunity to relax while someone else drives, enjoy the scenery, read, or work until they reach their destination. The largest economic benefit to the communities along the corridor include providing access to employment, allowing persons to support themselves and spend money locally. In addition, education and training trips provide the economic benefit of long-term employment at decent wages and job stability. 2.0 Project Study Area The study area includes the metropolitan areas of Lincoln and Omaha in addition to the rural communities of Waverly, Greenwood, Ashland, and Gretna. The study area demographics continue to show an increase in the population, employment, and travel demands. Together the urbanized areas for Lincoln and Omaha represent over 50 percent of Nebraska’s population based on the 2010 U.S. Census. The rural communities add an additional 10,000 persons to that population. Table 1 presents the current 2020 population of the three counties involved in this study and future growth projections. Table 1. Nebraska County Population Projections 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 Lancaster 320,528 340,761 361,534 383,301 406,126 430,021 455,703 Douglas 571,311 598,220 625,173 652,243 680,008 708,163 736,658 Sarpy 196,701 214,981 233,688 253,625 274,837 296,460 317,618 Totals 1,088,540 1,153,962 1,220,395 1,289,169 1,360,971 1,434,644 1,509,979 Source: December 2015 Nebraska County Projections, Center for Public Affairs Research, UNO 2 Lincoln-Omaha Intercity Bus Executive Summary June 2020 Considerable travel exists today between the two largest population centers