Reliability called key to Omaha-Lincoln bus service

LINCOLN, Neb. – Some prospective commuters say reliability will be the key in getting Lincoln and Omaha residents on board a proposed intercity bus service that would connect the two largest cities in Nebraska.

About a dozen people attended a meeting Thursday in Lincoln to discuss the idea and provide feedback to the Nebraska Transportation Department, which is overseeing a feasibility study.

Project officials estimate that 13,000 people commute between Lincoln and Omaha each workday. The officials say an intercity bus line of 10 to 15 buses could serve up to 520 riders a day and could be paid for with federal grants, state transportation funds and matches from communities served by the line.

Some of attendees said Thursday that they’d pay between $5 and $7 a trip if the service on the 60-mile (96.6-kilometre) route were dependable.