IDENTIFYING TRANSIT NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN MID-SIZED NEBRASKA CITIES

This study used a mixed-method research strategy to analyze the transit needs of mid-sized Nebraska cities. The research tasks included an inventory of current transit services in the 13 communities included in the study; key information survey of the communities, focus group research in three of the communities; and a national transit survey of innovative transit services in other medium sized communities. The following findings were generated in this study: 1) Most communities feel a need for increased transit service hours; 2) there is a general lack of transit coordination in cities, which if addressed could resolve some transit problems; 3) there is a need for increased awareness of transit; and, 4) there are opportunities to meet many of the perceived needs. The report identifies innovative transit policies and practices that can be utilized to improve the quantity and quality of transit services in mid-sized Nebraska communities.