Changes to Lincoln StarTran services announced amid worker shortage
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Transportation and Utilities announced changes on Friday to its StarTran evening bus service due to a shortage of bus drivers following the pandemic.
The changes go into effect on Aug. 18 and will reduce select services by three hours.
StarTran’s fixed-route evening service, VanLNK on-demand service and paratransit service will now end at 7 p.m.
The transportation department says the adjustment will impact about 2 percent of all StarTran services.
Two bus routes will not be affected by the modifications. Routes 24 and 25 near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus will continue to operate until 9 p.m. along with limited paratransit service within three-fourths of a mile of the routes.
In response to the adjustment, a three-month $55,000 hiring initiative will be in effect from mid-September to mid-November.
“Our team is excited to offer a day when interested applicants will be able to visit StarTran, meet potential co-workers, apply, and interview all in an hour or two,” said Liz Elliott, director of Lincoln Transportation and Utilities. “This type of convenient and fast hiring is sometimes unheard of in government. We are here to change that perception and offer this unique opportunity.”
For more information on routes and schedules or to learn more about career opportunities, visit transit.lincoln.ne.gov.
