Omaha Rapid Bus Transit

Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) is a bus rapid transit service in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It is operated by Metro Transit and serves the central corridor of Dodge Street between Omaha's Old Market entertainment district and Westroads Mall.[1] Construction began begin in late 2018, with full service beginning in the fall of 2020.[2] The system uses 60-foot (18 m) articulated buses powered by compressed natural gas. The route features dedicated lanes, signal priority for ORBT vehicles, and a park and ride lot at Westroads Mall.[3]

ORBT
Overview
SystemMetro Transit
OperatorTransit Authority of the City of Omaha
StatusOperational
Route
LocaleOmaha, Nebraska
StartOld Market District
EndWestroads Mall Transit Center
Stations13
Service
Frequency10 minutes (peak)

History

Planning for a bus rapid transit system in Omaha was listed as a priority by Regional Transit Vision as early as 2013. Work began after a $15 million TIGER grant was awarded to Omaha by the Federal Transit Administration.[4] Metro Transit unveiled the ORBT brand in August 2017.[5] Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2018 and ORBT service is planned to begin in fall 2020.

Route

The route runs east–west along Dodge Street. ORBT's thirteen stops are between four and 12 blocks apart, further apart than most Metro Transit bus routes.[6] Points of interest along the route include the Old Market District, Nebraska Medicine, the University of Nebraska Omaha, and The Joslyn Museum. The eastern terminus is at 10th Street in the Old Market. The western terminus is located at the Westroads Transit Center and include a Park & Ride Lot.[1]

Expansion

Metro Transit has explored possible expansion of ORBT further west along Dodge Street, along Broadway into Council Bluffs, and both north and south along 10th and 72nd streets.[7]

Design

The ORBT system uses New Flyer Xcelsior bused powered by CNG. Buses used on ORBT are longer than typical Metro Transit buses and feature on-board bicycle racks and free Wi-Fi. They also feature accessibility features including level boarding and navigation aids.[2] The first vehicle was displayed to the press in 2017.[3]

Stations include fully covered platforms, with floors of conductive concrete for better grip during winter months. Each station has a ticketing kiosk, arrival signage, free WiFi, and bike racks. Select stations also have B-Cycle bicycle sharing.[3]

References
  1. Transit Authority of the City of Omaha. "The Route - Ride ORBT". ORBT. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  2. Transit Authority of the City of Omaha. "Vehicles – Ride ORBT". ORBT. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  3. Rose, Jason; Lovgren, Linda. "METRO TRANSIT UNVEILS ORBT DESIGN DETAILS" (PDF). ORBT. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  4. "Grant brings $15 million for express bus route". Hearst Television Inc. KETV. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  5. Starling, Nick (16 August 2017). "Bus rapid transit system, ORBT enters next phase". Scripps Media, Inc. KMTV. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  6. "ORBT Stations". rideorbit.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  7. Transit Authority of the City of Omaha. "ORBT Slide Deck" (PDF). ORBT. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
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