StarTran

StarTran
StarTran #300, a 2014 New Flyer XN35 bus fueled by compressed natural gas.
Headquarters710 'J' Street
LocaleLincoln, Nebraska
Service areaLincoln, Nebraska
Service type
Routes18[1]
HubsGold's Building
Fleet16 Gillig transit bus[1]
39 CNG New Flyer
10 electric New Flyer
1 Ford 2013 Handi-Van
1 2012 Star Craft Handi-Van
11 2010 Glaval Handi-Van[1]
Annual ridership2,378,652 (2017)[2]
Fuel typeBiodiesel, CNG, Electric
OperatorCity Of Lincoln, Nebraska
Websitelincoln.ne.gov/startran

StarTran is the public transit bus system in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. It operates 18 regular bus routes and a downtown circulator service on weekdays from 5:15 a.m. to 9:55 p.m. and Saturdays from 5:55 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. There is no service on Sundays.[1] There is a special Handi-Van transportation service for those who have a disability that prevents them from riding a regular city bus.

History

In May 1971, a bond issue was announced, which would create a city-owned public bus transportation service for Lincoln.[3] The bond issue passed that same month, and Lincoln officially took ownership of the previous transportation service in July 1971.[4] This formed the Lincoln Transportation System, which officially launched upon the buyout.[5]

In 1988, the Lincoln City Council voted to officially change the name to StarTran.[6] However, the name StarTran was already in use by a brand of transmission oil.[7] However, city council went forward with the rebrand, and the StarTran name was officially put into use in August 1988.[8]

In September 2016, it was announced that StarTran would make rides free in October and November.[9] Additionally, StarTran announced that it would be adding additional bus routes and converting some buses to using natural gas.[10] In 2018, StarTran announced a downtown trolley system, with access to major venues.[11] Service began in December 2018.[12]

In 2020, StarTran announced an on-demand service for requesting a ride called VANLNK. At launch in April 2020, VANLNK had 27 vehicles, most mini-vans.[13] In 2021, the Department of Transportation awarded the City of Lincoln $2.7 million to purchase three electric buses for StarTran.[14]

In January 2024, it was announced that the main bus transfer system would be moved to a new location for a new one. These plans met criticism from many over how this would impact parking and bathrooms for local businesses.[15] In spite of the criticisms, the transfer station moved in January 2025.[16]



Fleet

Fleet number(s) Photo Model Year Manufacturer Model Powertrain Notes
200-212 2011 Gillig Low Floor 29'
300-312 2014-2015 New Flyer XN35
313-338 2018-2022 New Flyer XN35 [17]
400-409 2019-2020 New Flyer XE35
  • Electric
 [18]
811-819 2025 Gillig Low Floor Plus CNG 40'

Fixed Route Ridership

The ridership and service statistics shown here are of fixed route services only and do not include demand response. Per capita statistics are based on the Lincoln urbanized area as reported in NTD data. Starting in 2011, 2010 census numbers replace the 2000 census numbers to calculate per capita statistics.[19]

Ridership Change Ridership per capita
2002 1,512,264 n/a 6.67
2003 1,427,957 Decrease5.57% 6.3
2004 1,538,457 Increase7.74% 6.79
2005 1,702,110 Increase10.64% 7.51
2006 1,796,817 Increase5.56% 7.93
2007 1,834,499 Increase2.1% 8.1
2008 1,879,362 Increase2.45% 8.29
2009 1,664,279 Decrease11.44% 7.35
2010 1,811,433 Increase8.84% 7.99
2011 1,947,971 Increase7.01% 7.53
2012 2,002,943 Increase2.82% 7.74
2013 2,381,003 Increase18.88% 9.2
2014 2,422,789 Increase1.75% 9.36
2015 2,303,641 Decrease4.92% 8.9
2016 2,210,968 Decrease4.02% 8.55
2017 2,328,468 Increase5.31% 9.0
2018 2,413,703 Increase3.66% 9.33
2019 2,382,269 Decrease1.3% 9.21
2020 1,554,796 Decrease34.73% 6.01
2021 1,926,279 Increase23.89% 7.45
2022 2,190,825 Increase13.73% 8.47

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "City of Lincoln, StarTran - Fact Sheet". Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "StarTran 2017 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF). Federal Transit Administration. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  3. ^ "Voters to Decide Whether Lincoln Will Have City-Owned Bus System". The Lincoln Star. May 2, 1971. p. 7. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "Lincoln takes over bus service". Beatrice Daily Sun. July 16, 1971. p. 7. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  5. ^ "Jerald Rae Expected To Head Bus System". The Lincoln Star. July 17, 1971. p. 3. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  6. ^ "Lincoln Board Votes For StarTran Name". Omaha World-Herald. July 1, 1988. p. 50. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  7. ^ "Oops, Bus Line's New Name Not So New". Omaha World-Herald. July 6, 1988. p. 28. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  8. ^ "In surprise move, City Council dubs Lincoln's bus system StarTran". The Lincoln Star. August 9, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  9. ^ Bradley, Kelly (September 22, 2016). "StarTran adding new routes". KLKN-TV. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Fili, Sarah (October 31, 2016). "StarTran bus route changes going into effect". KLKN-TV. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  11. ^ "StarTran downtown trolley service to start Wednesday". 1011now. December 18, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  12. ^ Hummel, Evan (December 19, 2018). "StarTran Trolley kicks off service Wednesday". KLKN-TV. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  13. ^ Lundak, Marlo (April 20, 2020). "New on-demand StarTran service to begin Monday". KLKN-TV. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  14. ^ Sylve, Kamri (June 23, 2021). "Lincoln to receive $2.7 million grant, StarTran plans to buy new electric buses". 1011now. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  15. ^ "Business owners, residents opposde bus plan". Lincoln Journal Star. January 26, 2024. pp. A1. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  16. ^ Cobb, Sam (January 14, 2025). "Temporary StarTran transfer station set to open in downtown Lincoln". 1011now. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  17. ^ "StarTran Increases Fleet Sustainability with 11 New CNG Buses".
  18. ^ "StarTran acquires 10 electric buses from New Flyer".
  19. ^ "The National Transit Database (NTD)". Retrieved June 29, 2022.
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