| Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) | |
| System: | Metro Transit |
| Vehicle: | New Flyer XN60 |
| Locale: | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Start: | Old Market District |
| End: | Westroads Transit Center |
| Stations: | 23 |
| Frequency: | Peak: 10 minutes Off-peak: 15–20 minutes |
| Alt Frequency: | 15–20 minutes |
| Map State: | show |
Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) is a bus rapid transit service in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It is operated by Metro Transit and serves 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 60feet 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]
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.
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.
| 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 | ||
| Weekdays | 20 | 10 | 15 | 20 | [8] | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 20 | 15 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday | 20 | 15 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||
The ORBT system uses ten 2020 New Flyer XN60 articulated buses powered by compressed natural gas. At 60feet 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. The first vehicle was displayed to the press in 2017.
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]