System-wide Alerts

COVID-19 Update

UPDATED 8/23/21

MASK REQUIREMENT

Masks must be worn to ride Metro buses and MOBY paratransit vans and to access Metro facilities, including transit centers, ORBT Stations, bus shelters, and Metro’s office per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Masks must cover both the face and nose of the wearer.

  • On January 29, 2021, the CDC issued a Mask Order requiring mass transportation riders to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • On January 31, 2021, the TSA issued a mask requirement requiring mass transportation riders to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which was later extended through January 18, 2022.

Riders not adhering to these Orders and Directives will be denied access to Metro buses, paratransit vans, and/or facilities, including bus shelters, ORBT stations, and transit centers.

The CDC Order exempts the following categories of persons: children under the age of two (2) years of age; and persons with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.).

MASK EXEMPTIONS

Effective Saturday, May 1, 2021, persons with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of the disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) are required to present a valid Reasonable Modification from Mask (RM) card to board and ride any Metro bus or MOBY paratransit van.

To apply for an RM card, persons with a disability requiring a medical exemption from the Order must complete and submit the following form:

The form can be downloaded at the links above, mailed to you by request by calling Customer Service (402-341-0800), or obtained at the Metro Transit headquarters (2222 Cuming Street). Completed forms can be submitted to Metro via:

  • Email: covid@ometro.com
  • Fax: 1-402-939-6814
  • Mail: Metro Transit, Attn: Mask Exception, 2222 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68102

Metro will review your application, and upon validation, notify you to obtain your personalized photographed RM card at the Metro office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please bring a valid government-issued identification card. There is no charge for RM cards.

SERVICE IMPACTS

COVID-19 has presented an array of challenges for our community, including impacts on the hardworking and dedicated Metro teams that keep buses and paratransit vans running every day.

While we are doing everything we can to provide reliable and consistent transit services, COVID-19 may cause staffing challenges that result in temporary delays or changes in service times.

Riders can track their buses with MyRide OMA and create accounts to receive notifications about bus stops or routes.

Customer Service is available at (402)341-0800, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding as our staff and community work through this monumental effort, and thank you for riding Metro.

EXECUTIVE & CDC ORDERS:

ADDITIONAL MEASURES INCLUDE:

  • Adding an anti-microbial coating during Metro’s ongoing bus seat cleaning process
  • Using an electrostatic sprayer on all buses and paratransit vehicles every evening, which disperses a CDC-approved disinfectant across all interior surfaces
  • Trading out buses mid-day on the busiest routes for extra cleaning due to high ridership
  • Installing safety shields around driver seats to reduce contact between drivers and riders; Metro staff are required to wear face coverings while operating a Metro vehicle or at a Metro facility
  • Continuing a rigorous daily cleaning schedule with an increased concentration of disinfectant

If riders have concerns about particular buses, they are urged to notify a Metro employee, contact Metro’s customer service at (402)341-0800, or submit a comment through Metro’s online form.

MORE INFO

If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, please contact local health authorities. For more information, please visit the following websites:

TIPS FOR RIDERS

Metro encourages riders, staff, and the public to follow the guidance of health officials. Nebraska Medicine has issued the following recommendations regarding prevention:

  • Wear a mask over your mouth and nose.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer as a second option.
  • Don’t touch your mouth, nose or eyes, especially with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, stay at home.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect frequently touched objects in your home, car and workplace.

CLEANING MATERIALS

Metro understands that the use of some disinfectants may impact riders with chemical sensitivities. To help riders plan their travel and understand what to expect on board, the disinfectant that Metro currently uses is listed here:

  • Betco pH7Q, a one-step disinfectant, germicidal detergent, and deodorizer, containing didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, n-Alkyl (C14 50%, C12 40%, C16 10%) demethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, and other inert ingredients

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Long-term Detours

Select a route below to view active long-term detours. For today’s rider alerts, check MyRideOMA.

ORBT ORBT

ORBT Downtown Layover: 10th & Capitol

To reduce delays and provide better access for riders during riverfront construction, the downtown ORBT layover has shifted from 8th & Farnam to 10th & Capitol. Riders will be able to board and exit at the new ORBT sign at this location.

Read More

3 North 40th / South 42nd

4 Maple Street

5 90th Street

Route 5: Temporary Stop Closure

Effective June 3, 2021, the southbound bus stop at 90th & Fort NW [3128] will be closed due to construction. The closure is in effect until further notice. Riders should use alternate stop locations at 90th & Plaza North NW [1206] or 90th & Browne NW [1208].

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8 60th / Blondo Street

11 Leavenworth Street

13 13th / L Street

14 108th / Fort

Route 14: Temporary Stop Closure

Effective June 3, 2021, the westbound bus stop at Fort & 90th NW [3005] will be closed due to construction. The closure is in effect until further notice. Riders should use alternate stop locations at 91st Ave & Fort NE [2367].

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15 Center Street

Market to Midtown Bikeway

Bike Walk Nebraska and Metro Smart Cities have partnered on a protected bikeway on Harney Street from Midtown to Downtown Omaha. The bikeway is also served by Metro Routes 15, 18, and 30. Your bus stop may have moved. Please travel safely, and follow updated instructions.

 

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16 East Omaha / North 16th

Route 16: Nakoma Ave Detour

Effective Monday, September 13, 2021 afternoon, Route 16 will be on detour around Nakoma Ave until Saturday, July 2, 2022.

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Route 16 – 8th & Farnam Detour

Effective Monday, 09/05/2020, 10th to 8th Streets, and 8th street will be closed from Douglas to Farnam will be closed due to Gene Leahy Mall reconstruction project. The work is scheduled for two years. During this time, route 16 will operate the following detour:

Southbound: Regular route to 10th & Capitol Ave, west to 14th Street, south to downtown library bus stop to resume regular route.

The following bus stops will be temporarily out of service: 8th & Douglas SW, 8th & Farnam NW.

Customers should use alternate stop locations at .

Northbound: Regular route to Continue south from downtown library bus stop to Farnam, west to 15th Street, north to resume regular route. to resume regular route.

The following bus stops will be temporarily out of service: 8th & Farnam NW, 11th & Farnam NE, 13th & Farnam NE.

Customers should use alternate stop locations at .

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18 72nd / Ames Avenue

Market to Midtown Bikeway

Bike Walk Nebraska and Metro Smart Cities have partnered on a protected bikeway on Harney Street from Midtown to Downtown Omaha. The bikeway is also served by Metro Routes 15, 18, and 30. Your bus stop may have moved. Please travel safely, and follow updated instructions.

 

Read More

24 24th Street

26 North Omaha

30 30th Street

Market to Midtown Bikeway

Bike Walk Nebraska and Metro Smart Cities have partnered on a protected bikeway on Harney Street from Midtown to Downtown Omaha. The bikeway is also served by Metro Routes 15, 18, and 30. Your bus stop may have moved. Please travel safely, and follow updated instructions.

 

Read More

34 West I Street

Route service remains suspended

Update: As of Sunday, July 26th, the service suspension below will remain in effect.

Due to reduced ridership, Metro will suspend service on Routes 34 and 96 starting Tuesday, March 24, 2020. This will remain in effect until further notice.

To plan a trip with an alternate route, use the Trip Planner at MyRide OMA.

35 North 33rd Street

36 South Omaha

55 Q Street

G Green Route / Downtown

B Blue Route / Council Bluffs

Blue Route Detour: Broadway Construction

Effective Monday, March 15, 2021, Broadway will be closed due to roadway reconstruction. The work is scheduled through September 2021. During this time, the Blue Route will use the following detour:

Eastbound

  • Regular route to Broadway and 21st Street
  • Left on N. 21st St to Avenue B
  • Right on Avenue B to N. 16th St
  • Left on N. 16th St to resume regular route

All stops along Broadway between 23rd and 16th Streets will be closed.

Westbound

  • Regular route to 16th & Avenue B
  • Right on Avenue B to N. 21st St
  • Left on N. 21st St to Broadway
  • Right on Broadway to resume regular route

All stops along Broadway between 16th and 21st Streets will be closed.

Riders can hail the bus at any point along the detour.

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Y Yellow Route / Council Bluffs

Yellow Route Detour: Broadway Construction

Effective Monday, March 15, 2021, Broadway will be closed due to roadway reconstruction. The work is scheduled through September 2021. During this time, the Yellow Route will use the following detour:

Eastbound

  • Regular route to Broadway and 21st Street
  • Left on N. 21st St to Avenue B
  • Right on Avenue B to N. 16th St
  • Left on N. 16th St to Avenue G
  • Right on Avenue G to N. 8th St
  • Continue to Broadway, left on Broadway to resume regular route

All stops along Broadway between 23rd and 16th Streets will be closed.

Westbound

  • Regular route to 16th & Avenue B
  • Right on Avenue B to N. 21st St
  • Left on N. 21st St to Broadway
  • Right on Broadway to resume regular route

All stops along Broadway between 16th and 21st Streets will be closed.

Riders can hail the bus at any point along the detour.

Read More

92 Dodge Express

93 South 84th Express

94 West Center Express

8th & Farnam Detour

Effective Monday, August 5, Douglas Street will be closed from 10th to 8th Streets, and 8th street will be closed from Douglas to Farnam due to the Gene Leahy Mall reconstruction project. The closure will be in effect for two years. During this time, route 94 will operate the following detour:

Eastbound: Regular route to 14th & Douglas, east to 13th, north to Cuming, west to Metro garage.

The following bus stops will be temporarily out of service: 10th & Douglas SW, 8th & Douglas SW, 8th & Farnam NW

 

Westbound: East on Cuming from Metro garage to 10th Street, south to Dodge, west to resume regular route.

The following bus stop will be temporarily closed:

8th & Farnam NW

95 Bellevue Express

96 Q Street Express

Route service remains suspended

Update: As of Sunday, July 26th, the service suspension below will remain in effect.

Due to reduced ridership, Metro will suspend service on Routes 34 and 96 starting Tuesday, March 24, 2020. This will remain in effect until further notice.

To plan a trip with an alternate route, use the Trip Planner at MyRide OMA.

97 Millard Express

8th & Farnam Detour

Effective Monday, August 5, Douglas Street will be closed from 10th to 8th Streets, and 8th street will be closed from Douglas to Farnam due to the Gene Leahy Mall reconstruction project. The closure will be in effect for two years. During this time, route 94 will operate the following detour:

Eastbound: Regular route to 14th & Douglas, east to 13th, north to Cuming, west to Metro garage.

The following bus stops will be temporarily out of service: 10th & Douglas SW, 8th & Douglas SW, 8th & Farnam NW

 

Westbound: East on Cuming from Metro garage to 10th Street, south to Dodge, west to resume regular route.

The following bus stop will be temporarily closed:

8th & Farnam NW

98 Maple Village Express