By increasing access to the system. I ride the bus regularly and I've noticed many barriers that might stop someone who wants to ride transit.

Maybe it isn't safe to travel to their stop or maybe their bus isn't reliable or frequent enough. Maybe the system doesn't take them where they want to go. Maybe they don't even know where to start.

I want to work within the Transit Authority and with local partners to help alleviate these barriers for everyone, including our seniors and riders with disabilities. I believe that a more accessible system will bring with it more ridership.

We need to make an effort to ensure our existing system is capable of growing to serve the region. Transit works best when it connects people to the things they need, things like employment, education, healthcare, community, and entertainment.

We need to identify sustainable ways to make these connections before we can expand our service. We need to ensure that Metro can attract and retain the hardworking drivers, mechanics and other staff that serve our region.

Thanks to recent legislation we now also have the opportunity to invite other communities in the region to join the Transit Authority. I look forward to working with any regional community that wants to explore this opportunity.

Our world has changed considerably in the last few years and with it so has the way we travel. I want to work to find innovative ways to address these changing patterns. Every day might not be a commute day but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a transit day.

Limited funding for transit will make it impossible to grow. Per capita the Omaha region currently spends significantly less on transit than our peer cities. I want to work towards a responsible funding level that can sustain our public transportation system into the future.

More than anything I believe that a system that provides more access will benefit everyone. I want to get transit to more people and I want to get those people where they need to go.

Increase available stops to larger areas of communities with limited and expensive parking. Airport, Old Market area, College World Series, to name a few. Keeping it affordable to ride verses other available ride shares is also a goal.

Making it available to other area small communities such as Fremont, Blair, Yutan, Plattsmouth, and even Lincoln are long term goals.

Keeping our public transportation safe and affordable to ride.