2023 Quarter Four - In the News
January 5, 2024
In February 2023, Nebraska Public Transit began an “In the News” feature monthly on its Facebook page that is meant to highlight transit agencies across Nebraska providing a much-needed service and going above and beyond for their communities. Below is a recap of the 2023 local news articles. We will provide a quarterly recap in each of the Mobility Matters newsletters going forward.
Read the links below to learn more about transit agencies in Nebraska and to see what local media outlets find newsworthy for when you are wanting to send out a press release about your agency.
NDOT
New Transit in the Works for Burt and Cuming Counties
- https://fremonttribune.com/news/public-transit-system-pitched-to-county-board/article_d5a11064-57c2-11ee-95fb-1b6bf5ecd39a.html
- https://www.enterprisepub.com/stories/joyride-public-transit-launch-on-the-horizon,58773
Faces of Transit in Nebraska
- https://aashtojournal.org/2023/04/14/nebraska-dot-joins-rural-transit-support-campaign/?fbclid=IwAR0AXJaeETBqtCP6ZbvgMllF83lg_qs0VUlzSHEpCgOYhm7_Fn5W2rNzlo8
- https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-public-affairs-and-community-service/news/2023/03/faces-of-transit-in-nebraska-to-create-awareness-of-available-services.php
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/clip/15391530/rural-mass-transit
- https://chadronradio.com/faces-of-transit-in-nebraska-creating-awareness-of-available-services-statewide/
- https://alliancetimes.com/open-plains-transit-featured-in-video-series/
- https://chadronradio.com/faces-of-transit-in-nebraska-creating-awareness-of-vital-services-statewide/
Wellness Program
TRANSIT AGENCIES
Blue Rivers Transportation System
Cedar County Transit and Open Plains Transit
Chadron City Transit
- https://rapidcityjournal.com/community/chadron/news/chadron-transit-joins-new-program/article_585c01ca-98ac-54cc-91e2-5f68d55ba10a.html
- https://chadronradio.com/chadron-city-transit-celebrates-nebraska-public-transit-week/
- https://chadronradio.com/chadron-public-transit-becomes-uber-city-transit-to-many-csc-students/
- https://chadronradio.com/chadron-city-transit-open-house-burgers-wrapping-up-transit-week-celebration/
- https://chadronradio.com/deadline-fast-approaching-to-reserve-chadron-city-transit-rides-to-crawford-parade/
- https://chadronradio.com/chadron-transit-closed-11-23-11-24/
City of Sidney Transportation System
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48479882/council-approves-transportation-funding-application
- https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48792230/sidney-commits-to-agreement-with-kimball-transit-service
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48683906/public-transit-week-celebrated-april-1014
- https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49688043/country-music-star-stops-in-sidney
CRANE Public Transit
Fremont Transit Program
- https://fremonttribune.com/news/fremont-nebraska-new-van-service-begins/article_54827852-4209-11ee-89f2-d3a3cc8abffb.html
- https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/fremont-transit-program-offers-public-transportation-beginning-sept-7-our-driver-will-come-to-your-door
- https://fremonttribune.com/news/let-the-rides-begin-fremont-transit-program-now-up-running/article_87379e2c-4dc0-11ee-ad65-237ba0c3bf39.html
- https://fremonttribune.com/news/fremont-nebraska-van-transit-service-update/article_01f8dfa0-573e-11ee-9af2-8790dc75f64c.html
- https://fremonttribune.com/news/fremont-nebraska-grant-applications-helping-projects/article_e0609008-5bfd-11ee-a0ee-c70a0d8f2e88.html
- https://fremonttribune.com/news/fremont-nebraska-city-briefs-news-notes/article_16350442-7e8c-11ee-91f7-5388a9f5238f.html
KCTS
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48447429/communities-seek-state-financial-support-in-preparation-for-missile-project
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48513193/scotts-bluff-county-in-talks-with-kcts-to-improve-public-transit
- https://starherald.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/scotts-bluff-county-commissioners-voice-approval-of-increased-cooperation-with-kimball-country-transit-service/article_c3624e24-bc93-11ed-9a56-2b4a85a69e66.html
- https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48562953/council-agrees-to-support-kimball-transportation-grant-application
- https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49167642/kcts-launches-extended-bus-service-to-serve-region
- https://central.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49187217/kcts-celebrates-new-services
- https://www.westernnebraskaobserver.net/story/2023/07/20/news/kcts-starts-new-routes-to-scottsbluff-sidney-andamp-chappell/8876.html
- https://www.westernnebraskaobserver.net/story/2023/08/31/news/kcts-funding-explained/8940.html
- https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49701235/gov-pillen-town-hall-meeting-set-for-monday
Loup City Handi Bus
North Fork Area Transit
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/mobility-team-continues-to-help-get-buses-going-again/article_802b7126-a249-11ed-97fd-23909ab931e8.html
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/johnny-carson-foundation-offers-assistance-for-transit-services-in-norfolk/article_512aa780-a3dd-11ed-b935-533cb9c86de6.html
- https://rivercountry.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48427805/norfolk-approves-dollar150000-donation-to-nfat
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/nfat-meets-500k-fundraising-goal/article_ee276c24-b83e-11ed-9121-bb887f1c3db9.html
- https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/local-news/north-fork-area-transit-expected-to-restart-operations-soon/
- https://www.hastingstribune.com/buses-will-run-in-norfolk-again-with-donors-help/article_a12d7a94-ba00-11ed-ba31-ebfe630ab20d.html
- https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/buses-set-to-restart-in-nebraska-city-after-former-leader-s-alleged-1-million-theft/article_c56dd780-ba07-11ed-b428-7786b9091539.html
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48555173/nfat-sets-tentative-date-for-reopening
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48620028/telelift-phone-lines-open-nfat-reopens-next-week
- https://www.ktiv.com/2023/04/03/north-fork-area-transit-resumes-its-services/
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48675662/i-really-love-this-job-emotions-running-high-as-nfat-returns
- https://www.siouxlandproud.com/news/local-news/north-fork-area-transit-is-back-on-the-road/
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/north-fork-area-transit-loses-board-member/article_f73ecfb8-d879-11ed-8afd-f794777fd005.html
- https://neviewpoint.com/2023/04/13/i-really-love-this-job-emotions-running-high-as-nfat-returns/
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/48851953/north-fork-area-transit-seeking-new-gm
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49195585/exclusive-former-nfat-director-comments-on-theft-charges-before-his-eventual-arrest-in-texas
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49204233/stewart-to-be-arraigned-tuesday-in-madison-county-court
- https://www.ktiv.com/2023/07/18/bond-set-man-accused-stealing-north-fork-area-transit/
- https://northeast.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49257189/former-north-fork-area-transit-director-asks-for-reduction-in-bond
- https://www.ketv.com/article/state-auditor-gives-more-details-on-former-north-fork-area-transit-manager-arrested-for/44754598
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/state-auditor-releases-findings-on-north-fork-area-transit-audit/article_a251aa6e-3541-11ee-bac2-77f86cf0816c.html
- https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-former-director-transportation-service-arrested-theft-charges/44751896
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49494542/stewarts-bond-to-remain-the-same
- https://www.norfolkneradio.com/news/north-fork-area-transit-ridership-continuing-to-grow/article_ac609f92-482e-11ee-a39f-8ff136021a01.html
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/select/news/nfat-recognized-by-fta-continues-to-rebound-after-temporary-closing/article_2ead3cec-56fa-11ee-80eb-1791389c8fa7.html
- https://metro.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49733516/former-nfat-directors-theft-case-bound-over-to-district-court
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49751693/exnfat-director-sees-bond-increase-to-dollar1-million
- https://northeast.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49765371/former-nfat-director-asks-for-reduction-in-bond-court-has-concerns-over-flight-risk
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49831139/former-nfat-director-pleads-not-guilty-thursday
- https://www.newschannelnebraska.com/story/50103494/former-nfat-directors-pretrial-continued-until-next-year
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/select/nfat-looks-toward-bright-new-year-with-new-gm-funding/article_9640e1da-8ecf-11ee-ba28-0b216fa0f593.html
- https://www.norfolkneradio.com/news/north-fork-area-transit-asks-madison-county-for-more-funds/article_00d63ba2-9f2f-11ee-8f47-abae06c9d1d5.html
- https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/50260211/madison-county-says-no-to-further-nfat-funding
- https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/united-way-supports-north-fork-area-transit/article_5f32d506-a4cb-11ee-8943-8f325dae7853.html
North Platte Public Transit System
- https://nptelegraph.com/news/daily-events-prizes-will-mark-public-transit-week-in-north-platte/article_1229e776-d597-11ed-9d04-8be3b1002417.html
- https://www.knopnews2.com/2023/04/13/north-platte-celebrates-nebraska-public-transit-week/
- https://nptelegraph.com/news/local/north-platte-public-transit-nebraskaland-days/article_86fef572-1148-11ee-a97b-1b2f29903679.html
- https://northplattebulletin.com/city-buses-will-transport-concertgoers/
- https://www.knopnews2.com/2023/06/23/north-platte-public-transit-offer-shuttle-service-nebraskaland-days-concerts/
- https://nptelegraph.com/north-platte-rec-center-transit-transfer-to-close-tuesday-for-july-4-holiday/article_0eb2e466-1508-11ee-99e7-c3506d4acf8f.html
- https://www.knopnews2.com/2023/06/30/north-platte-public-transit-rec-center-close-4th-july-holiday/
- https://northplattepost.com/posts/871c1f14-d80c-4d86-8a21-0e34eec9db2c
- https://www.knopnews2.com/2023/11/09/north-platte-public-transit-closed-friday/
- https://www.knopnews2.com/2023/11/20/north-platte-public-transit-closed-thanksgiving/
- https://www.knopnews2.com/2023/12/22/north-platte-public-transit-closed-christmas-new-years-day/
Omaha Metro
- https://www.wowt.com/2023/04/07/metro-celebrates-nebraska-public-transit-week-with-giveaways-contests/
- https://fox42kptm.com/news/local/nebraska-public-transit-week-will-be-celebrated-throughout-the-city-with-metro-transit
- https://www.wowt.com/video/2023/08/10/omaha-metro-transit-offering-free-rides-students/
Open Plains Transit
- https://starherald.com/community/hemingford/news/open-plains-transit-pleased-to-be-part-of-panhandle-trip-planner-pilot-project/article_e7b45624-c8f9-11ed-bded-37042d2c3700.html
- https://alliancetimes.com/open-plains-transit-named-part-of-panhandle-trip-planner-pilot-project/
- https://starherald.com/community/hemingford/news/open-plains-transit-open-house-on-thursday/article_87b107c8-d8c5-11ed-a804-134520c578f4.html
- https://starherald.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/open-trails-transit-marks-providing-public-transportation-for-50-panhandle-communities/article_c70cc916-db13-11ed-b706-5f340296387a.html
- https://ruralradio.com/kneb-am/news/open-plains-transit-celebrates-official-rebranding/?fbclid=IwAR1COtgFLFMGTPqGMvRH5hXronL_VhCrchlIvqIGn8-R8Sh3wbNsbaO0oxs
- https://panhandlepost.com/posts/861329b2-ee19-4aa5-898e-47c06e59b010?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=254259542&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-97lRtjNP_cgXN3pMfT2J9zKkDAku8IMGSivL3gzY5xF5sVxXjTjE4H3GiRuWMv7hbzuNf8QRHBGtrFSPU__6tzBLSmRA&utm_content=254259542&utm_source=hs_email
- https://alliancetimes.com/open-plains-transit-offers-free-rides-during-week-without-driving/#:~:text=The%20National%20Coalition%20for%20a,understand%20the%20barriers%20for%20nondrivers
Pawnee County Transit
SENCA
Siouxland Regional Transit System
StarTran
- https://www.1011now.com/2023/05/09/startran-adds-11-new-compressed-natural-gas-buses-fixed-service-bus-routes-lincoln/
- https://www.klkntv.com/startran-to-end-program-serving-lincoln-students-due-to-new-federal-requirements/
- https://www.1011now.com/2023/08/22/cuts-coming-city-bus-routes-serving-students/
- https://www.1011now.com/video/2023/09/11/startran-announces-service-changes-starting-sept-18/
SHARE NEWS VIA:
The Nebraska Safety Center has announced dates for the 2024 driver training courses. See the schedule and learn more.
Change in platform also means change in process. Learn more about how to create an account and enroll in courses.
Do you have a set of talking points to use when meeting someone new? Bill provides a list of things to keep in mind and reviews some helpful tips.
All transit agencies are required to have an updated Drug and Alcohol Policy on file by January 12, 2024. Learn more and download a policy template.
NDOT funds were awarded to the tribe so they could provide additional space for administrative staff. See the details and photos about the project.
Over the past 8 months, Nebraska Public Transit has released 10 videos spotlighting the indispensable efforts of rural transit agencies across the state to enhance and broaden rural transit options in Nebraska. Read more and watch the videos.
The Transit Driver Recruitment and Retention report showed results from a survey of drivers and it was decided that a video could aid transit agencies in recruiting and retaining drivers when posting about a job opening at their agency. Review the report and watch the video.
The current Wellness Program for this quarter includes tips for staying healthy at work, a recipe for chicken thighs with shallots and spinach, and a 7-day nutrition challenge. Prioritizing self-care is crucial, and these initiatives support employee well-being.
Read an introduction message from the new Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers president.
Read about Tammy Bradley-Larsen, transportation coordinator, and highlights of serving her community and how being a member of NATP benefits her system, Florence Home.