As a board member, I would support the vision, goals, and strategies identified in MetroNEXT to increase ridership. MetroNEXT is the strategic plan for the Metro Transit Authority. Considerations for the plan include:

More frequent bus arrivals. Better bus stops, including passenger shelters and route information. Future ORBT lines and transit network. New service types to connect the region and potential service expansion.

I would also encourage Metro's continued collaboration with its partners, such as MAPA, ConnectGO, and Heartland Bicycle, to promote a holistic public transit and mobility system.

My vision is to achieve a multimodal system that supports equitable access and safe movement for everyone.

This looks like;

Easy transfers between buses, the street car, and bike share systems

Multimodal connectivity options to suburbs, rural areas, and employment and educational hubs

Focus on underserved communities with routes and schedules designed to prioritize Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color, ensuring everyone can access essential services and opportunities.

More greener vehicles prioritize environmentally friendly options like electric buses, light rail, and expanded walking and biking infrastructure.

Investments in creating safe, well-maintained, and aesthetically pleasing bus stops to encourage ridership.

The most critical challenge facing our public transportation systems is equity in mobility and transportation. Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color suffer from higher fatalities when walking, biking, or driving than their White counterparts. The root of the issue is where investments haven't been made. Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color need mobility and transportation infrastructure investments to increase safety for those walking, biking, using public transportation, and driving within their communities. MetroNEXT, Vision Zero, ConnectGo, and Heartland 2050 all have solutions to address equity in mobility and transportation. As a board member, I will work to promote the solutions described in those plans.

I will use my own bus experiences since the 70’s, deploy a community survey initiative at bus stops and organize a community forums to get input from the Actual Riders!

I would include strategies that will link are suburbs, rural towns surrounding Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa for specific strategic transportation routing.

The lack of political leadership vision to invest in the only public transportation infrastructure that we have in Omaha. Addressing the issue with other leaders is the only way to come up with solutions.

The city is growing, and the apartments, employment sites and amenities that are currently being built downtown will increase ridership if the busses can be operated effectively with reliable service and routes in effective areas. I think we need to expand the bus service to reach the airport and the zoo. Cleanliness, reliability and safety are top issues. We should also consider event specific routes and schedules for things like sporting events, as well as promoting our existing services to those who are visiting from out of town.

We need to expand service in key areas, like connecting North and South Omaha to the rest of the city. The different densely populated pockets of the city should be connected to each other. We have a pretty amazing service in the Dodge corridor already. Other parts of the city would benefit from getting connected. We should also evaluate the sidewalks along the existing lines to ensure they are wide enough to be safe and accessible for all, so that riders have a way to reach the bus stops.

Rising costs are always a challenge and we need a budget for maintenance of the existing equipment. The busses are pretty nice when they are new, but if they are not cleaned and maintained properly, many people will not feel comfortable riding them. We also need to recruit and retain quality, cheerful drivers for the busses.

Make transit user friendly and available. Make availability and routes known. Offer reliable and frequent service. Connect service to events and needs in the community. Funding is always critical. Partnerships with large trip generators in the community like schools, large employment centers and large attractions are critical.

A great region needs a great transportation system. A great transportation system needs a great transit system. Making this a truly regional transit system means looking at land use and opportunities in the region and matching the transit system to that. Land uses draw trips. Thus, the system must serve the land use and transportation needs throughout and among the region.

Reputation and reliability are everything. Reputation can be addressed through strategic media and marketing. Reliability can be addressed through strategic design, staff training, constant monitoring and review and partnerships with other regional entities.