April 17, 2026

For the first time, Metro Transit will have buses traveling down Saddle Creek. It’s part of a set of service changes that include a route realignment and more frequent service on several routes. The changes begin to go into effect on Sunday, April 19th.

The biggest change is to Route 30. Starting Sunday, buses along the route will go from the Florence area, travel through the North Omaha Transit Center on Ames, along Saddle Creek and to the Aksarben Transit Center. Currently, Route 30 goes between the Florence area and Downtown Omaha.

This realignment provides new connections for North Omaha with several grocery stores, a hospital, 13 schools, and two universities. It will provide faster access to the Aksarben area from North Omaha along with a more direct connection for non-downtown trips. Those who are traveling downtown from North Omaha will still be able to connect through Routes 18 & 24 at the North Omaha Transit Center, Route 4 at 30th & Cuming, ORBT at 42nd & Dodge, Route 11 at Leavenworth & Saddle Creek, and Route 15 at both Dodge and Center Street.

“Metro Transit’s mission is to connect people to opportunities through quality transit services,” said Lauren Cencic, CEO. “More connections mean more opportunities for the people of Omaha to fully participate and enjoy what makes Omaha such a great place to live, whether that’s easier access to grocery stores and health centers, or a quicker connection to the many cultural events and fun things to do throughout town.”

Seven other routes will also have service changes.

Most notably:

Route 4:

  • Increase in evening weekday frequency
  • Currently Route 4 runs every 15 minutes most of the day, then becomes hourly at 8 p.m.
    • New schedule will run every 15 minutes most of the day, then every half hour at about 8 p.m.

Route 11:

  • Sunday service will increase to every half hour and will run later
  • Scheduled arrival times shift earlier throughout the week
    • *Riders are encouraged to pay close attention to the new schedule before heading out

Route 13:

  • Peak Weekday frequency between North Downtown and the MCC South Transit Center will increase to every 15 minutes

Route 26:

  • Will travel exclusively in a counter-clockwise direction
  • Will increase to every half hour
    • Currently, Route 26 travels in a clockwise direction once an hour and a counter clockwise direction once an hour

 

Routes 3, 35, and 106 will have adjustments to their schedules

  • *Riders are encouraged to pay close attention to the new schedule before heading out

 

Metro Transit’s Board of Directors voted to approve these service changes at its March Board Meeting. Metro Transit staff surveyed riders on board Route 30 and held seven public meetings, both in person and virtually, with nearly 400 attendees to gather feedback before proposing the changes.

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