The two-year city budget that has just recently been adopted will allow routes 40 Heart Hospital, 42 Bethany and 49 University Place to run around an hour later in the evening. Route 46 Arnold Heights to have a bus every thirty minutes instead of a mid-day frequency of every hour.
New replacement buses are being received by StarTran and will be out and running soon. The two replica trolley buses will arrive soon as well, being placed on route 55 Star Shuttle in the Haymarket area. Not only will these buses be added, but two battery powered, the latest in bus technology, buses will arrive in the near future.
A new shelter has been put up on the east side of the Gold's building at 11th and N, which will house a buss pass vending kiosk.
About 20 stops in Lincoln may qualify for a bench or shelter in the future. The standard is an average of 15 daily boardings for a bench and about 25 for a shelter. City Councilman Jane Raybould located an additional $98,000 which was added to the $135,000 allocation for benches and shelters which will help speed up the installation process.
Coby Mach and the Lincoln Independent Business Association testified in favor of adding more funding for StarTran at the city council. CFIT President Richard Schmeling and CFIT Treasurer Marian Malone testified at the hearing in favor of StarTran funding as well.
StarTran transit manager Mike Davis continues to support efforts to upgrade StarTran and plan for the future. A proposal to expand route 40 Heart Hospital to provide service to the Berean Church, the Human Society, a new medical imaging facility, Home Depot and other businesses in the area of 70th and Highway 2 was approved by the StarTran advisory board.
Both route and schedule changes are expected to be implemented as of November 1, 2018. Around this time new schedules will be printed and distributed.
Recent Events
Marilyn Druger has resigned as secretary for CFIT Lincoln, Vicki Leech has stepped up to fill the position as secretary.
We are looking to have another cookout sometime in September, as well as exploring other fundraising possibilities. Suggestions are always welcome!
Now included in the Lincoln budget for 2018-2020 is funding which would allow StarTran to extend evening bus service on Route 40 Heart Hospital, Route 42 Bethany and Route 49 University Palace. Also funding is increased in service on 46 Arnold Heights. Route 46 will wee buses every half hour all day instead of only hourly service mid-day.
New! StarTran passengers with a smartphone can now purchase an electronic bus pass. Riders must only show the ticket on their screen to the driver. Riders can also access information on the bus they plan to ride, such as in where the bus is currently and how long until the bus arrives.
StarTran is in the process of installing a kiosk on the east side of the Gold's Building, which will allow for riders to buy passes by credit, debit and cash.
We are working with StarTran to install more benches and shelters at bus stops. An "Adopt A Bus" program has been suggested, in which businesses or other sponsors would pay the cost of the bench and shelter installations. Each sponsor would be recognized.
There are currently 800 bus stops around Lincoln, but only 100 have benches or shelters. But the proposed city budget allows for only 40 benches or shelters to be installed. This leaves 660 left without amenities.
We have been successful in getting additional bus stops added at 56th and Old Cheney to serve businesses in that area.
the request to extend Route 56 Sheridan further south to provide service directly to Southpointe Pavillions and connect with Route 53 Southpointe and Route 13 South 13th is still pending.
Two replica trolleys will arrive in August to be used on Route 55 near Star Shuttle in the downtown Haymarket area. These buses will have a rear section that will provide an "open air" ride.
The StarTran advisory board recommended a change to Route 40 Heart Hospital to expand the route to serve the Humane society, Home Depot and the Berean Church as well as other locations along highway 2.