ORBT Launches

By Melanie Stewart

Omaha’s Bus Rapid Transit (ORBT) will officially launch Wednesday, November 18^th! We have written previous blogs on ORBT, as this is a big step forward for Omaha.  ORBT is different than other bus routes, here’s the details:

• ORBT stations have canopies, audio/visual real-time arrival announcements, pre-paid boarding, level boarding, and interior bike racks.
• Buses are bigger, more spacious inside, and have 3 doors to speed up stops.
• Most of the day, a new bus will arrive every 10 minutes.
• For the first four months, ORBT will be free for everyone, all the time.
  • Will be part of TravelSmart; registered riders receive free rides to and from campus.
• On-board/free Wi-Fi.
• Many ORBT stops have Heartland B-cycle stations to speed up your commute after you get off the bus.
• ORBT will replace Route 2
  • Start (downtown) and End (Westroads) are the same.
  • Daily round trips will increase from 65 to 100.
  • Frequently used stops are the same, but less frequently used stops have been adjusted. However, 94% of riders will have their stop changed by 3 blocks or less.
• Other routes are being adjusted to make better connections with ORBT, including more 92 Express trips to Village Pointe, see MyRideOMA to double-check your route

Drivers are being asked to share the road.  You will notice the big, orange buses and the bus-only lanes downtown.  Traffic cannot enter those lanes unless they are making a right turn.  Watch this short video for details.  “Transit Signal Priority” has been installed at intersections west of 30^th St., allowing buses to extend green lights and keep them moving.  ORBT will also have a que jump at 84^th street; the bus will receive a green light first while the rest of traffic waits, allowing them safely merge into, and get ahead of, traffic.  Watch this short video to see how it works.

While we’re excited about ORBT’s launch, your safety and controlling COVID transmissions are of the utmost importance.  If you are traveling to/from campus and can do so in a more socially distanced manner (walking, biking, carpooling with someone you live with, or driving alone) please do so.  If you need the bus to get to work/receive care, please wear a mask, don’t touch your face, social distance as much as possible, wash your hands as soon as you arrive on campus, and know that Metro is working to keep buses clean.