Public transportation in Nebraska is a vital part of the solution to the state’s economic, energy, and health care challenges through providing an alternative in congested urban areas and serving as a lifeline to rural communities. Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns.
Nebraska Public Transit is a program administered by the Nebraska Department of Transportation. NDOT’s Intermodal Planning Division is responsible for coordinating public transportation activities in Nebraska’s 93 counties and provides technical assistance as requested. NDOT receives money from the Federal Transit Administration and state transportation funds to fulfill requirements set forth by Nebraska Revised Statute 13-1204.
In 2013, NDOT and the University of Nebraska developed a project called Advance to assist with improving and promoting public transit across Nebraska. NDOT sponsors the project collaborating with the Nebraska Safety Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Business & Technology and the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service.
The Advance team combines experts in the fields of business, safety, technology, research, and public policy to work diligently toward a safer, more efficient, and more reliable public transportation system for everyone. In particular, Advance focuses on the unique mobility challenges faced by our state’s rural residents, many of whom rely on public transportation as a critical point of access to social and economic resources.
The current, five-year portfolio of projects includes:
Dispatch
Dispatch reviews Advance’s recent efforts to promote and support Nebraska Public Transit. Catch up on our latest achievements below.
2018 Operating Statistics





Staff Directory
NAME | TITLE | PHONE | |
---|---|---|---|
Ryan Huff | Intermodal Planning Engineer | 402-479-3797 | ryan.huff@nebraska.gov |
Kari Ruse | Transit Liaison Manager | 402-479-4694 | kari.ruse@nebraska.gov |
George Gallardo | Transportation Planner III | 402-479-4368 | george.gallardo@nebraska.gov |
Wayne Masek | Transportation Planner III | 402-479-4369 | wayne.masek@nebraska.gov |
Frank Faughn | Federal Aid Administrator III | 402-479-3680 | frank.faughn@nebraska.gov |
Marisue Wagner | Federal Aid Administrator III | 402-479-3127 | marisue.wagner@nebraska.gov |
Connie Trautwein | Federal Aid Administrator I | 402-479-4786 | connie.trautwein@nebraska.gov |
NAME | TITLE | PHONE | |
---|---|---|---|
Mick Anderson | Director, Nebraska Safety Center | 308-865-8258 | andersonmd@unk.edu |
William Bivin | Rural Transit Manager | 402-570-0491 | bivinwd@unk.edu |
Kaitlyn Richardson | Rural Transit Lead Trainer | 402-480-6859 | richardsonke@unk.edu |
Lauren Dale | Event and Outreach Planner | 402-480-6857 | dalele@unk.edu |
Darla Morris | Business Manager | 308-865-8276 | morrisd@unk.edu |
Erin Howard | Transportation Safety Manager | 308-865-1550 | howarder@unk.edu |
NAME | TITLE | PHONE | |
---|---|---|---|
Josie Schafer | Director, Center for Public Affairs Research | 402-554-2134 | jgschafer@unomaha.edu |
Yu-Che Chen | Director, Global Digital Governance Lab | 402-554-2058 | ychen@unomaha.edu |
Tara Grell | Graphic Designer, Center for Public Affairs Research | 402-554-5963 | tgrell@unomaha.edu |
Matt Harrington | Communications Specialist, Center for Public Affairs Research | 402-554-5976 | mgharrington@unomaha.edu |
Chethan Miriyala | Web Developer, Center for Public Affairs Research | 402-554-2400 | cmiriyala@unomaha.edu |
Melanie Kiper | Community Service Specialist, Center for Public Affairs Research | 402-554-2133 | mkiper@unomaha.edu |
Jooho Lee | Associate Director, Global Digital Governance Lab | 402-554-2756 | jooholee@unomaha.edu |
This website is developed and maintained by Advance. It is part of a Statewide Transit Initiative conducted by the University of Nebraska on behalf of the Nebraska Department of Transportation [Project RPT-C990(017)] supported in part by the Federal Transit Administration [PTE Federal Award PL1601 Subaward 17-002-01]. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of the Federal Transit Administration.