Changes to city bus routes, COVID-19 to blame

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) announces new changes to some StarTran bus routes.

From April 1 through May 12, five bus routes will serve patrons every 60 minutes– rather than every 60-30 minutes- during these following hours:

• 40 Heart Hospital – 5:55 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• 41 Havelock – 5:40 a.m. to 8:28 p.m.
• 42 Bethany – 5:40 a.m. to 8:20 p.m.
• 49 University Place – 5:55 a.m. to 8:31 p.m.
• 53 SouthPointe – 5:52 a.m. to 6:52 p.m.

Updated schedules will be available on buses the week prior to the change.

LTU Director Liz Elliott said the changes are due to a decline in StarTran ridership, plus staff shortages caused by the pandemic. She said transit services identified the lowest ridership routes for the least amount of impact to patrons for this month-long period.

“The pandemic has affected many lives and services in different ways, and our transit system is no exception,” Elliott said. “We know these changes will impact some riders’ schedules and we appreciate the public’s patience during this brief service modification.”

LTU is recruiting bus operators and mechanics via a new careers webpage.

For more information on routes and schedules, visit transit.lincoln.ne.gov.