Omaha Moving Forward with Bus Rapid Transit Line

The Omaha Bus Rapid Transit (ORBT) system will feature prepaid fares, 60-foot buses, level boarding, and bus lanes.

1 minute read

May 18, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Bus Rapid Transit

Transit Authority of the City of Omaha / The ORBT route through downtown Omaha.

Officials from the Transit Authority of the City of Omaha recently unveiled plans for the Omaha Bus Rapid Transit line, referred to as ORBT. The system will include raised stations to allow for level boarding, and bus stops will "have touch-screen digital signage that people can use to see when the next bus is coming, which will be real-time information because the buses will have GPS," reports Christopher Burbach.

Level boarding is just one feature aimed to shrink dwell times. "You’ll be able to buy tickets at a kiosk in the station, if you haven’t pre-paid. Today, it takes about 12 seconds for a bus to get going again once it stops. The ORBT buses should get rolling again within a few seconds of stopping, said Metro Executive Director Curt Simon," Burbach reports. Pre-paid fares also mean passengers will be able to board through any of the three doors on these 60-foot long buses.

Monday, May 14, 2018 in Omaha World Herald

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

Lava visible in crater with steam coming out in Hawaii.

Can Geothermal Energy Fuel Hawaiʻi’s Future?

Gavin Murphy, a New Zealand-based consultant with experience in indigenous-led geothermal projects, argues that Hawaiʻi is poised to achieve energy independence and economic growth by respectfully developing its untapped geothermal resources.

3 hours ago - Honolulu Civil Beat

Purple, orange, and yellow wildflowers in a field in California.

Climate Gardening: Cultivating Resilient Landscapes in Los Angeles

TreePeople’s 4th Annual Urban Soil Symposium explored how climate gardening, soil health, and collaborative land management strategies can enhance urban resilience in the face of climate change.

4 hours ago - TreePeople

Close-up on charging port for electric cars.

Electric Surge: EV Chargers Outnumber Gas Nozzles in California

California now has 48% more electric vehicle chargers than gasoline nozzles, reflecting its rapid shift toward clean transportation and aggressive zero-emission goals despite federal pushback.

5 hours ago - Inside EVs