Five Minutes with MSO – April, 2019

22 Apr

This is a new and monthly feature where we bring you five minutes of issues facing transportation in Omaha, Nebraska generally and the world at large:

Below are links to the issues discussed:

Dawaune talks about LB 492, the regional transit authority bill.
Liz discusses how “levels of service” can be used to transform neighborhoods into thoroughfares. (probably not referencing a certain roadway with strange traffic patterns)
Chris digs into our obsession with the CIP. How can so much money be appropriated without any public input or transparency???
And finally Lee digs into POTHOLES! and the difficulty of trying to build your way out of a maintenance crisis.

Five Questions for Stephen Osberg

17 Apr
Stephen Osberg

It’s been a few years since we sat down with Stephen Osberg to talk transit. He was last a guest at a coffee chat in 2016, when he was a planner for the City of Omaha. He joins us Friday, April 26th as our guest speaker, but now as the Director of Transportation Development for the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. This time around we asked him some additional questions to our usual five. Here’s what he had to say:

1. When it comes to our transportation network, what role does commerce play in bridging the equity gap?

We have a serious workforce challenge in the Omaha metro area. With a region-wide unemployment rate of about 2.6%, it can be a challenge for organizations to grow or even maintain their talent. It is clear, however, that there are pockets of the region with significantly higher rates of unemployment or underemployment. If we can reorient our transportation system to help people access educational opportunities and get to where the jobs are without the need to own/operate a car, we can help close the gaps on educational attainment and wealth while also helping growing businesses access talent.

2. Does the Chamber of Commerce have a position on LB 492?

The Greater Omaha Chamber testified in support of LB 492, a bill to authorize the establishment of regional transit authorities, at the Urban Affairs Committee hearing in February.

3. What are the barriers to expanding our biking infrastructure and how do we overcome those challenges?

In my view, the benefits of on-street bicycle infrastructure really come from having a connected network of facilities that provide a low-stress experience. It can be difficult for some people to see the value of constructing the infrastructure if it isn’t heavily used, which it likely won’t be until we have a full network built out that can help us get wherever we need to go while making us feel safe. You’ll hear this from me a lot, but I think we need to design the system and then take proactive steps to implement it rather than adding facilities in a piecemeal fashion.

4. Cities like Kansas City and Des Moines have made pedestrian infrastructure a priority, what could we change in Omaha to improve our approach to walking?

We just need to remember that nearly everyone walks at some point. Improvements to the pedestrian realm are improvements the quality of all our lives.

5. ORBT is scheduled to roll out in April of next year, if you ran the zoo, what would be your ideal follow-on project after the first ORBT line is active?

The first transit system improvement I’d like to see after the arrival of the Dodge Street ORBT is an increase in frequency to all the bus routes that serve the urban core. It’d be great to see buses arriving every 10-15 minutes on more of the routes. Regarding premium transit, I’d like to see a plan for the ultimate system of rapid transit lines that will touch all parts of the metro area. We can figure out the order of implementation after we’ve got the system designed.

Transportation Resources from Outlook Nebraska

8 Apr

This last weekend, April 6 & 7, 2019, we volunteered to staff the transportation table for Outlook Nebraska’s Vision Resources Fair at the Omaha Health and Wellness Expo.

Outlook has compiled a list of transportation resources for people who are visually impaired, however this list is useful for anyone who has mobility limitations. Some of the resources are geographically specific and fill in the gaps where MOBY does not serve. Others are geared toward older individuals who are no longer able to drive themselves.

Outlook Nebraska was kind enough to share their list with us. If you know if additional resources not listed here, feel free to let us know in the comments or e-mail us at info@modeshiftomaha.org

General Transportation

Camelot Transportation: Staff is trained to provide transportation for individuals with mental or physical disabilities along with youth and elderly. Provides transportation services 24/7. Call 888-452-3194 or visit: http://www.camelottransportation.net/forms-1.html Fares: Metro (0-5 miles) $22.00; Triumph (wheelchair)- $30.00 for 0-5 miles, $30.00+$2.50/mile for 6+miles ; Additional Passenger- $10.00/ person; 2nd driver/escort/wait time- $22.00/hr

City of Bellevue Specialized Transportation Service Unit (402)-293-3138; https://www.bellevue.net/departments/human-services/programs#specialized-transportation  Must be resident of Bellevue. Provides transportation to those 60 or older or have a medical disability. Need 48hr notice for reservation, space is limited. Open Monday- Friday, 8am-4pm, trips to Omaha run at 8am, 10am, & 12pm. Cost is $2.00 each way withinBellevue and $4.00 each way for trips into Omaha. The van operates within the following boundaries: As far west as 84th St. As far north to Dodge St. approximately Platteview Road south. Please call to complete a registration prior to starting. Escorts ride free if the name is provided when you make a reservation. Wheelchair lifts available on vans. There is a 60 minute window for pickup and the first pickup is at 7am and last pickup is at 3pm.

Council Bluffs- Special Transport Service 712-328-4634 http://www.councilbluffs-ia.gov/361/Special-Transit-Service-STS.  Provides curb-to-curb demand response service for individuals unable to use MAT’s fixed route service because of disability. Available to all eligible residents within Council Bluffs’ city limits. To register for service must fill out application (requires certification from physician to verify disability). Provides transportation within city limits and certain designated points within Omaha. Monday- Friday 6:00am- 6:00pm and Saturday 7:00am- 6:00pm. Fare: One way ticket- $2.50 Booklets of 10 tickets: $25.00 (available at Treasurer’s Office in City Hall or my mail for $25.50- mail money to Public Works Department, 209 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, Iowa) .  For reservations call: 1-844-241-0946 (open Monday- Saturday 8am-5pm). Can make reservation 14 days in advance but no less than the day before desired pickup time. Be prepared to accept pickup time up to an hour before or after preferred time.

ENOA Rural Transportation: This service is available to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the public living in rural areas of Cass, Sarpy, Douglas, Dodge, and Washington County. Minimum 48 hours’ notice is required but does not guarantee a ride. Available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. Cost varies, but is generally 0-10 miles=$2 each way; 11-20 miles=$5 each way; 21-40 miles=$6 each way. For more information visit: https://enoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/RTP-Bro-1.pdf

Fremont’s City Cab Service (402)721-2121  Monday-Thursday; 7am-7pm, Friday-Saturday 7am-1:00am, Sunday: closed. $2.25/mile; $3.50 minimum when you get into the car

Go Go Grandparent  This service allows people who have only a flip phone to order a ride in a private car (similar to Uber or Lyft).  Call 855-464-6872, Signing up is free. Can sign up online at https://gogograndparent.com/ Ride Fare: $2.55 base fare + $0.96 per mile + $0.20 per minute (with a minimum fare of $3.50) and GoGoGrandparent Concierge Fee: $0.19 per minute

IntelliRide (medicaid only) Call 402-401-6999, Authorizes and arranges Non-Emergency transportation for individuals receiving services through Department of Health and Human Services. Requests have to be made within at least 3 business days in advance unless it’s urgent care.


La Vista/Ralston Special Services Van (402)657-3550

The Special Services Unit operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This service is available for all senior residents (ages 60 and older) and all handicapped residents of La Vista and Ralston. The bus will take you to a variety of destinations including senior centers, shopping, appointments, etc. (accommodation depends on prior commitments).

Fares are $1 in Zone 1 (within La Vista and Ralston and designated locations); $3 for Zone 2 (outside La Vista and Ralston city limits); $10 for Zone 3 (outside city limits). Multiple stops are an additional $1 (prices subject to change). Bus punch cards are available for $30 (each punch is worth $1). Check or cash only.  All passengers must fill out an application form prior to riding on bus (or may be filled out on the first bus trip). Reservations must be requested 2 business days prior to the rider’s requested appointment date. Passengers should be ready 10 minutes prior to scheduled pick-up time. The Cities of La Vista and Ralston Special Services Bus is a curb-to-curb service. All passengers who are not able to get to the curb of their residence without help, will be required to have a person ride along to and from their destination. There is no charge for this additional person.

Lyft  Smartphone App that lets you call a ride to your exact location and also get dropped off at a location of your choice. Download the app or sign up at https://www.lyft.com/. Do not have to schedule ride any certain time in advance; simply open app and search for nearby drivers. Depending on how busy the day is, may get a ride in 2-20 minutes. Prices vary depending on distance traveled and surge pricing. Payment works by hooking the app to a credit card which automatically pays the driver after the trip with an optional tip. $5.00 cancellation fee.

Metro- Half Fare Pass  Regular Ometro buses Elderly/ Disabled/ Medicare- half fares Cash Fares:$0.60, 10 Ride Cards:$6.00; 30 Consecutive Days Unlimited Rides: $27.00 Must have a Metro Photo ID Card Eligibility for half fare. Call 341-0800 for more information.  Fill out application http://www.ometro.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Edit-Metro_Half_Fare_App_3-30-16.pdf  Network Farthest West: 180th and Dodge; Farthest North 72nd & Sorenson Pkwy/ 30th and Martine Ave.

Farthest East around Mall of the Bluffs; Farthest South: Around Bellevue University

MOBY: MOBY provides transportation to individuals who live within ¾ mile of a fixed metropolitan bus line and have a disability or temporary health issue that prevents them from using the fixed bus line. MOBY is a door to door service that operates 7 days a week. The cost of riding is $2.50 per trip. For guidelines and application call 402-341-0800 or visit: http://www.ometro.com/index.php/rider-guide/mobyada/

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/hcs_services_transportation.aspx (402) 471-3121 Provides transportation services to eligible people who are unable to secure transportation from relatives, friends, or other organizations at no cost. Contact a worker that can answer your questions about Transportation Service or how to apply for the service: http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/hcs_contact.aspx Transportation for things like doctor’s appointments, grocery store, legal aid, and adult day services but not for ocial, religious, or recreational events.

Papillion Special Services Van (402)-680-3970 Primarily for the use of elderly and those with disabilities who live inside Papillon’s city limits and Papillion SID”s city limits. Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:45am-2:00pm; Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00am-3:00pm; Need 24-hour notice and space is limited. Fare: $1.00 one way within city limits; $2.00 one way outside city limits.

RSVP CAR-GO (Fremont and Blair) 402-721-7780 RSVP’s Car-Go Project offers free transportation for men and women age 55 and older through volunteers age 55 and older who use their own vehicles. Free rides can be given to medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, beauty parlors, barbershops, banks and other personal business locations. Operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in Fremont and Blair. 24 hours notice rides reservation is required.

Share A Fare: (402)-827-9814https://shareafare.org/application    

https://shareafare.org/order  Share A Fare is a cab subsidy program for residents of the Greater Omaha area who are legally blind or whose vision precludes them from driving. Share A Fare allows participants to purchase cab coupon books at a reduced rate. The coupons can be used to pay all or part of an individual’s cab fare and do not have an expiration date. To utilize the service, a certifying agent must complete the online application or PDF application. Certifying agents can be a healthcare provider, rehabilitation counselor, or vision care provider. Can get half off up to $75 a month on uber or lyft.

Seniors Helping Seniors Transportation for seniors requiring transportation throughout Omaha and Sarpy County. 402-331-3073 to schedule an appointment. $23 per hour for transportation.  Can provide transportation after surgery on a case-by-case basis, can’t be high fall risk. Seniors helping Seniors will go into a home to assist people into the vehicle. www.seniorcaregreateromaha.com

Southwest Iowa Transit Agency 1-800-842-8065  Transportation for all residents in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties. Operate 24/7 (pending vehicle and driver availability). Live dispatch available Monday- Friday (excluding holidays) 6:00am-5:00pm. Wheelchair Accessible.

Uber  Smartphone App that allows you to call transportation to your exact location and be dropped off at a location of your choice. Can download the app or sign up at https://get.uber.com/ Do not have to schedule ride any certain time in advance; simply open app and search for nearby drivers. Depending on how busy the day is, may get a ride in 2-20 minutes. Prices vary depending on distance traveled and surge pricing. Payment works by hooking the app to a credit card which automatically pays the driver after the trip with an optional tip. $5.00 cancellation fee.  With VoiceOver iOS compatibility, the Uber app provides convenient accessible transportation for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Wings of love 402-571-1922 Available Monday-Friday 7am-6pm Rate is $12-15 per way No radius. Used for store or medical purposes. Give 24-48 hour notice

zTrip: zTrip, formally Happy Cab, provides cab services in the Omaha Metro Area. Scheduling a trip with zTrip can be done thru their app, by phone, hailed on the street, or booked via their website. For more information call 763-318-2900 or visit: https://www.ztrip.com/omaha/

Medical Transport

Fremont Area Medical Center Free transportation between FAMC and the patient’s residence, for those who cannot provide it for themselves. Scheduled through the department providing service. Bus service area includes towns located in Dodge County, as well as Arlington, Cedar Bluffs and Valley, and is available within the city of Fremont. Monday through Friday, 7am-4pm. Services outside of Fremont are available on Tuesday and Thursday.

Goodwill Medical Transportation (402)-932-1550 Monday-Friday 6:00am-5:00pm. Reservations need to be made 24-48 hours prior to ride. Accepts Medicaid and private pay. Medical appointments only. Fare: $18 each way or  $42 each way if you need wheelchair accessibility (with no physical assistance)

Midwest Medical Transport Company-Midwest Medair Call 402-800-2946. Offers para-transit wheelchair van services in Lincoln, Omaha, and Fremont

Medics At Home 402-345-6666 Transportation via ambulance to a nursing home, hospital, or other location. 24/7 services. Will decide the type of transport you need at the time you schedule the transport

VA Hospital Beneficiary Transportation Call 402-995-4458. Ambulance service for VA hospital. Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Must be wheelchair bound and have service connected disability rating of 30%. Must meet income guidelines. https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vtp/beneficiary_travel.asp  

If you know of other transportation services available to people who can not drive, please email info@outlookne.org so we can share it with our associates and community clients.

← Older Entries