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Faces of Transit in Nebraska to Create Awareness of Available Services

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A new video series called Faces of Transit in Nebraska celebrates the good work of transit agencies across the state. The University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Public Affairs Research is partnering with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, White Shutter Media, and numerous rural transit agencies as part of efforts to grow rural transit options in Nebraska.

For many in rural communities, transit is a lifeline. Rural transit agencies connect people to healthcare, work, education, and civic life. As a result, public transportation in Nebraska is vital to the state’s economic prosperity and future.

In 2022 the total number of miles traveled by rural and urban transit agencies was 9,873,676, up 80% from 2021. Of the total miles traveled, 43% of the miles are rural miles. The total number of passenger boardings (defined as anytime a passenger steps onto a transit vehicle) in both rural and urban areas, was 4,734,215, up 140% from 2021.

Many agencies in Nebraska are doing new things or expanding transit dollars to go new places and this video series will explore who the agency serves and where they take their passengers, so others understand how the service works.

Nebraska Public Transit will feature these stories throughout the year. The first few will be highlighted during Nebraska Public Transit Week, April 9-15, an important celebration of all agencies.

Watch the first two completed videos featuring central and southeastern Nebraska agencies:

CPAR is part of a larger Nebraska Public Transit team combining experts in the fields of business, safety, technology, research, and public policy to work toward a safer, more efficient, and more reliable public transportation system for everyone. Other ongoing projects from CPAR include policy analyses for the Planning Committee of the Nebraska State Legislature, designation by the U.S. Census Bureau as a statewide liaison for disseminating a range of data products and a range of community engaged research projects. Visit cpar.unomaha.edu to access CPAR’s extensive data resources on state and local issues in Nebraska.