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Omaha Rapid Bus Transit

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Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT)
Overview
SystemMetro Transit
VehicleNew Flyer XN60
Began serviceNovember 18, 2020 (2020-11-18)
Route
LocaleOmaha, Nebraska
StartOld Market District
EndWestroads Transit Center
Length8.2 mi (13.2 km)
Stations23
Service
FrequencyPeak: 10 minutes
Off-peak: 15–20 minutes
Weekend frequency15–20 minutes
Route map

Legend
 Westroads TC
90th St
84th St
77th St
72nd St
62nd St
49th St
42nd St
33rd St
↓ Douglas St │ Dodge St ↑
 Park Ave
24th St
20th St
19th St
15th St
12th St
10th St
8th St & Farnam St
This diagram:
← {{{previous_line}}}  {{{system_nav}}}  {{{next_line}}} →

Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) is a bus rapid transit service in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It is operated by Metro Transit and serves 8.2 miles (13.2 km) of Dodge Street between Omaha's Old Market entertainment district and the transit center at 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]

History

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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 commenced in late 2018 and ORBT service began in fall 2020.

Operations

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Stations

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The route runs east–west along Dodge Street. ORBT's twenty three[6] Stops are between four and twelve blocks apart, further apart than most Metro Transit bus routes.[7] 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]

List of stations
Stops Notable places nearby and notes
Westbound Eastbound
Westroads Transit Center Park and ride, Westroads Mall
90th St & Dodge St
84th St & Dodge St Children's Hospital & Medical Center
77th St & Dodge St Keystone Trail
72nd St & Dodge St
62nd St & Dodge St University of Nebraska Omaha
49th St & Dodge St
42nd St & Dodge St University of Nebraska Medical Center
33rd St & Dodge St
Park Ave & Dodge St Park Ave & Douglas St
24th St & Dodge St 24th St & Douglas St
20th St & Dodge St 19th St & Douglas St
15th St & Dodge St 15th St & Douglas St
12th St & Dodge St 10th St & Douglas St
8th St & Farnam St Old Market District, Heartland of America Park

Headways

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Time 4:30A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A 11A 12P 1P 2P 3P 4P 5P 6P 7P 8P 9P 10P 11:30P Ref.
Weekdays 20 10 15 20 [8]
Saturday — 20 15 20
Sunday — 20 15 20 —

Buses

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ORBT bus #1909 on Douglas Street.
Interior of an ORBT bus.

The ORBT system uses ten 2020 New Flyer XN60 articulated buses powered by compressed natural gas. At 60-foot (18 m) long, buses used on the ORBT line are longer than the typical 30-, 35-, and 40-foot buses operated by Metro Transit. They feature on-board bicycle racks, free Wi-Fi, and accessibility features including level boarding and navigation aids.[2] The first vehicle was displayed to the press in 2017.[3]

Future

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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.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Transit Authority of the City of Omaha. "The Route – Ride ORBT". ORBT. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Transit Authority of the City of Omaha. "Vehicles – Ride ORBT". ORBT. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Rose, Jason; Lovgren, Linda. "METRO TRANSIT UNVEILS ORBT DESIGN DETAILS" (PDF). ORBT. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  4. ^ "Grant brings $15 million for express bus route". Hearst Television Inc. KETV. September 16, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  5. ^ Starling, Nick (August 16, 2017). "Bus rapid transit system, ORBT enters next phase". Scripps Media, Inc. KMTV. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  6. ^ "System Map". Metro. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "ORBT Stations". rideorbit.com. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  8. ^ "ORBT Timetable" (PDF). Metro Transit. July 2022.
  9. ^ Transit Authority of the City of Omaha. "ORBT Slide Deck" (PDF). ORBT. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
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