A few weeks ago, the Greater Omaha Young Professionals released its Final Report on the Young Professionals Bus Challenge. A week later, after the challenge’s organizers had presented their findings to the Metro Area Transit (MAT) board of directors, I caught up with Craig Moody, one of the organizers, to learn about their takeaways.
When we interviewed Moody at the start of the challenge, he stated a simple goal. “We’re really just trying to get people on. I think the perception of the bus system in town is not a positive one, so we’re trying to help people get over that and get on the the bus.”
They succeeded — from April 18th to May 9th nearly 200 people used MAT and provided feedback on their experiences. With this valuable feedback they’re able to attempt a more complex goal: affect public policy. Here are a few of the report’s recommendations (published August 20th):
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- Develop a transportation master plan for the Omaha metro/five-county area that is not limited to the expansion of roads.
- Add more routes to high-density areas and more Park and Ride options to lower density areas.
- MAT and city leaders should aggressively pursue new funding from diverse sources for public transportation in Omaha.
- Develop a strategic relationship with the University of Nebraska at Omaha and market specifically to the student population.
- Reward residents and businesses that relocate or build near existing public transportation infrastructure.
Moody’s ultimate wish would be for MAT’s buses to rely on something other than diesel fuel. In the near future, however, MAT will focus on upgrading its website, which he sees as an unwelcoming front door for young professionals. For example, it was discovered that the site’s trip planner, which could be a very useful tool for riders, had a few bugs. Moody was once told a trip from midtown to downtown would take him three transfers and last two and a half hours. MAT has been responsive in addressing this and other issues that the Challenge brought to the surface.
Through it all, MAT has been a great partner. “Some of the recommendations that are in the report they implemented two to three months ago just because we were talking to them from day one about some of the opportunities for improvement,” Moody said. “They’ve been fantastic to work with.”
It was encouraging to see the YP Board undertake this endeavor. Its short-term outcomes will not only affect young professionals but all riders, and its long-term outcomes could have a positive impact on our city’s reputation and surrounding environment. Between MAT’s willingness to work with YPs and the city’s plan to install bike lanes throughout Omaha, we have lots to look forward to with regards to transportation in Omaha.
Check out my interview with Moody below, in which he gives a summary of the report, shares his top recommendations, and reflects on their effort to affect public policy. Visit omahayoungprofessionals.org/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=I14074 if you’d like to view the report in its entirety.
