Numerous transit companies, all privately owned and operated, competed in providing transportation for Metropolitan Omaha and surrounding communities from 1867 until June 30, 1972, when declining ridership forced the remaining two transit providers, the Omaha Transit Company and the City Transit Lines, Inc. of Council Bluffs, to curtail service. With a decline in ridership, both companies separately applied for a respective fare increase. Their requests were respectively denied and they were left with no alternative but to discontinue service. The private transit providers in Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, exempt from federal subsidies available to public transit providers with the passage of the Urban Mass Transit Act of 1964, could not compete with the public’s increasing preference for private ownership of the automobile. After the announcement of the discontinuance of private transit service, the Railway Commission granted a temporary five (5) cent fare increase. This was done to enable the Omaha Transit Company to remain in service until June 30, 1972, when either the City of Omaha or State of Nebraska would assume responsibility for public transportation in Omaha. City Transit Lines agreed as well to remain in service under the existing subsidy until June 30, 1972. In response to Metropolitan Omaha’s need for public transportation, a bill was passed “enabling” the creation of the Transit Authority, City of Omaha, a governmental subdivision of the State of Nebraska autonomous in nature. While Metro is responsible for the administration and operation of transit service in both Metropolitan Omaha and surrounding communities, funds obtained form Omaha’s tax levy cannot be used to offset transit service operating expenses incurred outside of Omaha. Transit service outside of the Omaha city limits is provided by contractual agreement between Metro and the respective political jurisdictions and agencies, wherein they agree to reimburse Metro for all operating expenses not recovered through fare box receipts and federal and state subsidies. The level of service, miles and hours of operation, is dictated by individual contract. |
Rollsigns from Nebraska (Omaha, Nebraska) |
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The complete side route number and box assembly. This would be mounted in the first window behind the front doors on the side of the bus. |