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Bus riders, union oppose new StarTran routes

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BY DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 - 11:01:52 pm CDT

A family emerged from a taxi cab in front of City Hall on Saturday, and the cab driver helped the three visually impaired people make their way up the steps.

But from there, they were on their own to find a StarTran Advisory Board meeting to talk about proposed changes to city bus routes.

They and plenty of other blind people turned out in force for the Saturday morning meeting designed to give the public a chance to weigh in on changes proposed in a new Transit Development Plan. The plan was developed during a 14-month process guided by several outside consultants.

Story Photo
A proposal would consolidate bus service to high-ridership areas and end service to low-ridership areas while continuing to provide the same number of service hours. (LJS File)
Possible bus route changes

To see maps that show proposed changes to StarTran routes in Lincoln, go to http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/plan/transit/maps2.htm

About 65 people showed up, almost all with concerns about the route changes under consideration. The proposal would consolidate bus service to high-ridership areas and end service to low-ridership areas while continuing to provide the same number of service hours.

The changes would not cost more money, although the plan also recommends long-term changes including extended hours that would. The new plan must eventually be approved by the Lincoln City Council, and if it is, changes would go into effect in one year.

But many of the bus riders who showed up Saturday opposed the elimination of routes, especially those who bought houses to be near routes that may now disappear.

The Lincoln Independent Business Association kicked off public comments by recommending that StarTran concentrate on the city core and “essential service areas” and see if it could reduce the city’s nearly $6 million annual StarTran subsidy by $1 million.

LIBA head Coby Mach said ridership maps indicate hardly anyone uses the buses south of Pioneers Boulevard. He suggested the city temporarily try “outsourcing van trips” in south Lincoln.

“If people need to have bus service, they would know that they have this transition period to move within the city core,” Mach said. “It is important for the community to recognize that the city of Lincoln does not have mass transportation; we have public transportation.”

Then Mach and another LIBA representative left the meeting.

Les Helms, president of the bus union, later said the union unanimously voted against the new plan, and then blasted Mach, saying, “LIBA had the first chance to talk but didn’t have the courtesy to listen to anybody else.“

Rather than taking a chainsaw to the bus routes, Helms said, the routes should be tweaked. Ridership is up 2.2 percent, he said, but the changes will hurt ridership. He also said the study’s ridership statistics appeared flawed, based on his personal experience as a bus driver.

Jeff Altman of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska said the proposed changes amount to a reduction in bus service.

“I do not wish to have anyone tell me where I may live in this city,” he added.

Most people at the hearing opposed route changes that would move bus stops or eliminate shuttles that serve them or elderly and disabled people.

One partially disabled retired veteran said he bought his house 14 years ago to be near the bus route, because he has lung problems and can’t walk more than a block-and-a-half to get to the bus stop. His route would disappear under the proposal.

Many lobbied for longer hours, but that’s not in the cards. The city has nearly a $9 million budget deficit, and extending hours for some buses to about 10 p.m. would cost another $750,000 annually, according to city Transportation Planner David Cary.

Several people also questioned the wisdom of creating a free evening shuttle downtown Thursdays through Saturdays, suggesting chauffeuring “drunks” around could lead to lots of problems and liability concerns.

A few people argued that bus service should continue to cover most of the city to help reduce Lincoln’s dependence upon cars, and therefore reduce carbon emissions.

But for most of the people at the hearing, riding the bus isn’t optional.

“It’s the bus or my feet,” said Diane Kimble, who lives in the city core but uses the bus to get to shopping areas on weekends.

The StarTran Advisory Board is expected to take action on the plan and routes when it meets Thursday at 8 a.m. in the City Council chamber at the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th St. Changes to the plan could be made by the board, but the City Council will have the final say on route changes during budget deliberations this summer.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.

 


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Colt Roberts wrote on June 17, 2007 4:53 am:
" I wonder how many thousands of dollars the City paid for these outside consultants. You can be assured that these consultants were from some other state besides Nebraska. I question a study that suggests cutting bus service to save money. Isn't that already known? If only the City could forget about making Star Tran a profit maker. Now the City needs to hire more outside consultants to tell the City it has lousy streets. "
Ernie Johnson wrote on June 17, 2007 7:19 am:
" Public transportation cannot be done in a financially viable manner in Lincoln, and there's no reason to try. It will always be subsidized by taxpayers. If we're going to pay for it, then it should run through the whole city and be offered to all taxpayers, not just those who live in areas where people use the bus. "
tortis wrote on June 17, 2007 8:31 am:
" Buses that run empty do no one anygood and the union wants to work so they will naturally vote against anything that cuts back on work. The service as it is stinks and they know it, incompotent drivers and lousy service, drivers that cut you off and place even pedestrians in harms way, as well as drivers that speed through city streets, stop wherever they want and take a break whenever, are annoying. I think the bus service should be eliminated altogether, since it is costing 6 million more than the city has. Then our deficit would only be three million. Get rid of the whole program and maybe we will see some positive things happen in Lincoln. This service, if you want to call it is ugly and needs to go bye, bye, one gets an awful feeling when one sees one of these blue monstors going through a neighborhood at high speeds, and the management of this service has no cares about anything but their own job, fire them all and eliminate the service. IT is any empty service. "
Rider wrote on June 17, 2007 11:08 am:
" We can only hope there is no one on the Advisory Committee that is beholden to LIBA - I would bet Coby doesn't rely on the bus to go to work - "
Jane G. wrote on June 17, 2007 12:20 pm:
" One of the reasons I moved into the apt I did is because it had 2 bus stops available. I did not realize how lousy the service is in this town until it was too late. I WANT to use the bus but it does not run where I need to go and I don't have an extra hour or two of my life to spend trying to get 5 miles down the road. Why not spend the money to improve or to extend service NOW when gas prices are so high. Maybe the buses would fill up if they were run better, quicker and more convienently. Find somewhere else to balance the budget. "
Locke wrote on June 17, 2007 12:56 pm:
" Let's face it. Lincolnites, like lots of people, do not want to give up their automobiles. They will complain about the price of gas and how unfair it is, but when presented with an alternative like public transportation, they turn their noses up. I have been using public transportation in Lincoln for several years. I have a car, but I find it more relaxing to allow someone else to take me to work and bring me home. It is inconvenient at times, but I would rather do it than continue to pay high fuel costs. "
Scott wrote on June 17, 2007 1:14 pm:
" Tortis, perhaps the city could save money that it uses subsidizing automobile users by deferring maintainence for most streets. After all, it's through government subsidizations to you that it's possible to have nice paved streets in town for your car... "
KT wrote on June 17, 2007 6:36 pm:
" One thing, the city could quit building all the parking garages downtown and all the buildings and lots in Lincoln. As long as that keeps going on, there will never be money for anything. Seems to me the buses are too big for this city. I spent years riding buses to work in my former city and they were always packed and 3/4s of the time you had to stand up. I never see but a few on the busses here. Even with standing 3/4s of the time in my former city, the buses never made a profit either. "
Mike D. wrote on June 17, 2007 9:54 pm:
" Put some bike racks on the buses! "
tortis wrote on June 17, 2007 9:58 pm:
" Scott your post does not make any sense. So what is it. You want buses or you don't, My streets aren't that good and I sure hope the gov't doesn't subsidize my streets cause if they do they do a poor job, Please explain what subsidize to you means. "
Another Rider wrote on June 17, 2007 10:14 pm:
" Where does Coby Mach get off telling people that they have a year to move to a location where they can use the lousy bus service they are proposing. Sheesh! A more asinine statement has never been made! He obviously needs a reality check. Since Lincoln doesn't have "mass transportation" why is it necessary to ruin what little "public transportation" we have? I bet those people from New York have no idea what it's like to not have any "mass transportation" so they don't consider "public transportation" terribly important. "
Argonaut wrote on June 17, 2007 10:26 pm:
" The behavior of Coby Mach and the other LIBA rep is completely reprehensible. LIBA is usually at the forefront of this arrogant, self-serving attitude, and they are no different on this issue. Disgusting. LIBA's got all these politicians deep in their pockets and of course they got to speak first and then ran off to play golf. LIBA, THE DLA and all these develop anywhere, cut taxes and services everywhere people have got to look themselves in the mirror and see the horrors they have become. "
Mike Reinmiller wrote on June 18, 2007 8:31 am:
" I was at the meeting and seeing how LIBA behaved it seemed like a hate crime towards the average citizen. I am in awe how they could be so insensitive to people who NEED the bus. "
GMP wrote on June 18, 2007 9:37 am:
" Would it be more cost effective to run small vans during the off peak hours and on little utilized lines? That way there would be service for those who need it, but the cost wouldn't be as much? I'm sure that something could be worked out to benefit both the city and the public. "
Tom wrote on June 18, 2007 10:11 am:
" Not sure where tortis gets his info. Sounds like a typical resident who complains about city workers without any idea of how things really work. They speed, they go too slow, they take a break, they don’t take breaks. Sheesh. As far as LIBA goes I hope some business owners read this comments board. I will not spend any of my money in a business that supports LIBA. Any lobbyist like them that can say how they want to demand people move because of their ideas and then will not stay around to listen to the other side of things needs to be disbanded. "
Tara wrote on June 18, 2007 12:25 pm:
" Where does Another Rider get off telling the city that they have to support a near-private bus service for several citizens who live on the current route? It really is too bad that some people bought homes to be near the route 14 years ago and that the route is now changing, but how long should people be allowed to rely on such information? Is it reasonable to believe that a bus system in place in 1993 would remain in place indefinitely? I also used to ride the bus every day, and the new map doesn't seem to cut out major areas of service, and many of the routes look like they will shorten ride times and make more sense in general. It really is too bad that a few people will have to make accommodations to the new route and schedule, but as the city, population, demographics, and habits of residents are changing, it is ridiculous to believe that our public transportation system shouldn't be changing as well. "
STUCK UP wrote on June 18, 2007 12:31 pm:
" I don't remember voting for LIBA or this Mach guy. Oh I didn't - he is nobody and thinks he is somebody. Special interest rears it's ugly head. Come on Mayor now is the time for you to step up and slam LIBA and prove to us that you can solve problems and listen to common folk instead of these special interest choads. Don't let us down already Mayor. "
Scott wrote on June 18, 2007 2:09 pm:
" What I was meaning is that we shouldn't jump at the opportunity to limit public transportation because in the long run public transit is cheaper to run, helps stymie traffic congestion, and is more environmentally friendly. It is silly to look at money given to StarTran as a "subsidy" and work under the false premise that public transportation must support itself. Streets and associated infrastructure for cars don't support themselves, either. In that sense, you could equate public money spent to make driving in Lincoln easier and faster as a subsidy for car drivers. It really doesn't benefit those that rely on public transportation. It doesn't really benefit those that ride their bikes. It really doesn't benefit those that walk to work. Instead of spending money on new infrastructure and upgrades to existing infrastructure we should funnel some of that cash into the public transportation system and make it better. "
Louise wrote on June 18, 2007 3:47 pm:
" Have any of you that are slamming LIBA ever held a job and/or worked? I would doubt that you ever owned a business. LIBA's Coby Mach and the other person representing LIBA have full-time jobs. They take time out of their busy schedules to give another point of view, the taxpayer's point of view, the business owner's point of view. LIBA represents over 1,000 small to large businesses in Lincoln/Lancaster Co. Mr. Mach is there to speak on behalf of the business owners and managers. He and the other representative left because they have to get back to work. They can not just sit on their backsides all day waiting for the City Council to decide on how they are going to vote. I find it really interesting that folks that want and need a job are so against business and business owners. If there were not businesses, there would be not jobs. Oh that's right, Lincoln,NE is a government town, supported by taxpayer's dollars (the business man/woman's dollars) We have City government, County Government, State Government, Federal Government, The University of NE all living off of TAXPAYER'S DOLLARS! so back off of LIBA. Business owners have RIGHT'S TOO! You will notice I did not talk about all the people on public assistance paid by tax dollars. Those folks who need assistance should have it. We need a work program for others who are to lazy to get out and find something to do. "
Huh? wrote on June 18, 2007 8:59 pm:
" In response to Louise: Uh, yes, dear we do hold jobs (5 between us) and my husband has his own business. He would not touch LIBA with a 50 foot pole because of their behavior in the meeting and on other issues. My husband uses the bus on a daily basis to get to and from one of these jobs. Perhaps you have never been in a situation where, even though you are working, you can't afford a car, or afford a car and make your business grow at the same time. And you clearly are not in a position where without public transportation you could not get anywhere. The people that use the bus system are not just there to suck up tax dollars. They use the bus to get to WORK, to get to SCHOOL, to get to THE STORE, in essence, everything you do in your car. Yes, business owners have rights. But so do people who rely on the bus system to get them to the jobs that pay their rent and buy them food. Jobs, by the way, that you would most likely be unwilling to do. But they get on the bus every day and go to them. They make sure you can drive through your favorite fast food joint and get food, they make sure your dry cleaning is done, that trash is picked up and any number of other jobs. So, no, I for one will not back off LIBA and will not be silent on this issue. Especially when LIBA behaves in such a deplorable fashion. "
Clueless wrote on June 18, 2007 10:25 pm:
" StarTran should be shut down and the busses sold to get the city out of the 9 million dollar budget shortfall. I have never seen a bus full except for the holidays when they pack them in to go look at Christmas lights. We probably shouldn't be catering to the few when obviously this is dragging the city down. "
Roger wrote on June 19, 2007 12:49 am:
" Amen Louse! Everyone looking for a handout doesn't want LIBA! Get rid of the unefficient bus routes, lets save some money, and put it towards business! "
chappie wrote on June 20, 2007 5:11 pm:
" I do appreciate having an organization like LIBA watching over government appropriations and making sure tax dollars are spent efficiently. I just think Mach is occasionally not the most effective spokesperson for the organization. He might have had a legitimate reason for leaving after his comments, but it doesn't look good, no matter how you cut it. "
foxspit wrote on June 24, 2007 7:25 pm:
" I am not a fan of Coby Mach or LIBA, but there are a lot of empty buses at times and it seems like there may be a way to save some money. I live in south Lincoln and the bus on our S. 27th Street route has decent ridership, I've never seen it empty. "

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