Metro Flex

Monday – Friday: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

All Metro Flex zones have the same service hours.

Note: If you’re planning a trip outside of Metro Flex service hours, use MyRide OMA to plan your bus trip instead.

Metro Flex costs $3.00 per trip

The $3.00 includes transfers to or from the bus following the same transfer rules.

If a transfer to or from MOBY is required, the total cost will be $4.25 when paying with Umo.

Pass programs and half-fare programs do not apply.

Through the Metro Flex OMA app or Customer Service when the trip is booked:

• Credit or debit card, including prepaid cards

With Umo 

• Add stored value to a Umo card account online, at a Ticket Vending Machine, select retail vendors, and at Metro’s Office.
• Add stored value to a Umo app in the app, online, at a Ticket Vending Machine, select retail vendors, and at Metro’s Office.
• Purchase a paper token at Metro’s Office, Ticket Vending Machine, or select retail vendors.

Cash is not accepted on board Metro Flex. Cash can be used to load stored value on a Umo card or app account or purchase a Umo token at Ticket Vending Machines, Metro’s Office, or select retail vendors.

Fare capping through Umo does not apply to Metro Flex fare.

• In the Metro Flex OMA app
• Scan the Umo app
• Tap a Umo card
• Scan a paper token

Pass programs and half-fare programs do not apply.

Metro Flex trips cannot be booked in advance – request your trip when you’re almost ready to go!

• Through the Metro Flex OMA app on a smartphone or tablet
• Customer service: 402-341-0800

Metro Flex OMA app:  

1. When you are ready to travel, open the app.  
2. Then select additional passengers and/or bicycle, if applicable.  
3. Next set your starting location and destination.  
4. The app will search for bus schedules, Metro Flex vehicle availability, and other trips that have been booked. Using those factors, the app will show you the best available trip, whether it’s by bus, Metro Flex, or both! 

Customer Service: 

1. When you are ready for your Metro Flex trip, call Customer Service (402-341-0800) to book your trip. The Customer Service agent will ask you to verify the name, phone number, and/or email on your account. You will need to share how you will pay for the trip, whether you are traveling with any additional passengers or a bicycle, your starting location, and your destination.  
2. Customer Service can take your debit, credit, or prepaid card over the phone to pay for your ride. During the call you will be connected to a third-party secure service provider to obtain your card information. The Customer Service Representative does not have access to your card information.  
3. Once the Customer Service Representative has the information, they will propose a trip to you. You then let them know if you accept the trip proposal. If so, they book the trip for you and a Metro Flex vehicle will be on its way!  

Metro Flex OMA app:

When you open the app, tap the arrow next to “1 Passenger”

Then select categories describing your additional passengers:

When finished, press “Done” at the bottom.

Customer Service:

Call Customer Service to book your trip at 402-341-0800. When booking your trip, tell the agent how many additional passengers you are traveling with and if any of them are children or use a wheelchair.

Note: All passengers traveling together must have the same pick-up and drop-off locations.

A portion of the fleet is wheelchair accessible, with the expectation that people who use mobility devices experience the same quality of service as those who do not.

The wheelchair-accessible vehicles are standard rear-entry passenger vans. 

To book a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, request curbside service, or share any additional limitations that might impact your use of Metro Flex service and require accommodations to provide you with quality transit service, please complete the accessibility form before your first ride. Once the form is reviewed and approved, you can book accessible rides whenever you need them.

The accessibility form is available through the Metro Flex OMA app or by calling 402-341-0800 first. 

The web-version of the accessibility form is available online here.

Examples of limitations include but are not limited to hearing loss, mobility limitation(s) requiring walker or cane, limited speech, blindness or low vision, or respiratory condition.

How is microtransit (Metro Flex) service different from paratransit (MOBY) service?

• Both are considered on-demand transit service. Paratransit service is only available to those who have been approved for the service, rides must be booked the day before travel, and the ride is guaranteed. There is no application process for microtransit service. Microtransit rides are booked at the time of travel, but the ride is not guaranteed. Paratransit drivers offer a greater level of assistance to riders than microtransit drivers.

How do I transfer from Metro Flex to MOBY?

First, plan how you will pay your fare. You must use Umo to access the reduced fare of $4.25 for one Metro Flex ride and one MOBY ride.

• Paper Umo token: You can pre-purchase a Metro Flex Umo token, which includes one Metro Flex ride and one MOBY ride. Be sure to purchase the Metro Flex token with the teal header. The sub header will read “1 ride includes transfer to MOBY.”
• Umo app or card: Pre-load stored value in your Umo account through the card or app.

When you ride:

• Paper Umo token: Scan the Metro Flex Umo token on the Metro Flex vehicle when you board. Then scan the same Umo token when you board MOBY.
• Umo app or card: Scan your Umo app or tap your Umo card on the Metro Flex vehicle when you board. At this time, $3.00 will be deducted from your Umo account. When you board MOBY, scan your app or tap your card to pay the additional $1.25. The transfer between MOBY and Metro Flex needs to occur within 90 minutes during the week and 120 minutes on the weekend.

How do I transfer from MOBY to Metro Flex?

First, plan how you will pay your fare. You must use Umo to access the reduced fare of $4.25 for one MOBY ride and one Metro Flex ride.

• Paper Umo token: You can pre-purchase a Metro Flex Umo token, which includes one MOBY ride and one Metro Flex ride. Be sure to purchase the Metro Flex token with the teal header. The sub header will read “1 ride includes transfer to MOBY.”
• Umo app or card: Pre-load stored value in your Umo account through the card or app.

When you ride:

• Paper Umo token: Scan the Metro Flex Umo token on the MOBY van when you board. Then scan the same Umo token when you board Metro Flex.
• Umo app or card: Scan your Umo app or tap your Umo card on the MOBY van when you board. At this time, $2.50 will be deducted from your Umo account. When you board the Metro Flex vehicle, scan your app or tap your card to pay the additional $1.75. The transfer between Metro Flex and MOBY needs to occur within 90 minutes during the week and 120 minutes on the weekend.

What else do I need to know about transferring between Metro Flex and MOBY?

MOBY rides still need to scheduled by 4:30 p.m. the day before the day of travel.

Metro Flex rides cannot be scheduled in advance. You should request your Metro Flex trip once MOBY drops you off.

We recommend filling out the Accessibility Request Form and sharing your MOBY ID Number on the form. This will allow your Metro Flex profile to be designated as a MOBY rider. The app will then be able to show you trips further out (45 minutes instead of 30 minutes) so that you get earlier access to trips when demand is high. The same access is available when booking trips through Customer Service.

When planning where you will transfer from or to MOBY to or from Metro Flex, consider whether there is a place to wait inside and if the location is accessible.

Metro Flex is on demand and your wait time and travel time will fluctuate based on demand. Your MOBY pick up window will not change based on your Metro Flex trip.  When transferring from Metro Flex to MOBY, plan ahead to make sure you have enough time arrive at the beginning of your pickup window or you may be charged a no show on MOBY.

Metro Flex drivers cannot provide as much assistance as MOBY drivers; they can only provide minimal assistance like a bus driver.

PCAs ride free on MOBY but must pay the regular fare on Metro Flex.

Reminders:

• MOBY operators will not wait longer than the designated vehicle wait time.
• Build in extra time as travel time on Metro Flex will vary based on demand and availability.
• Riders using Metro Flex and MOBY must use Umo to get the discounted fare ($4.25 for one Metro Flex trip combined with one MOBY trip).
• The accessibility form for wheelchair-accessible vehicles is available online here.

Bikes are allowed on non-wheelchair accessible vehicles. Riders must indicate that they are traveling with a bike at the time of booking.

Riders’ bikes may weigh up to 35 pounds each – the bike racks on Metro Flex can carry up to 70 pounds. Each Metro Flex van can carry up to 2 bikes at a time. 

Note: Heartland Bike Share bikes cannot be carried by Metro Flex vans – please dock your bike before getting on board. 

Children 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

• Please review the Access by Minors Restricted section in Via’s Terms of Use for information about account access for people under the age of 18.

Riders 6 years and older pay the same fare. Riders 0-5 years ride free.

Per Nebraska State Law, all children up to age eight must ride correctly secured in a federally-approved child safety seat. Riders are responsible for providing and properly securing child safety seats.

Note: K-12 Rides Free does not apply to Metro Flex

Riders are welcome to travel with their service animals on Metro Flex.

All service animals must remain under the individual’s control for the duration of the ride. Metro Flex drivers will not take control of a service animal. Caring for a service animal is the responsibility of the rider.

No other animals (e.g., emotional support animals or pets) are allowed on board Metro Flex vehicles.

Remember, a shared vehicle can only fit so much — please only bring bags and other objects that you can carry and load yourself.  

Rule of thumb: whatever you bring with you should not interfere with other passengers’ ability to enter, exit, and ride in the vehicle. 

Think of it this way – if the passenger who showed up before you had the same sized item and the car was at full capacity, would your item fit as well? If the answer is no, then we can’t guarantee we’ll be able to take you and your bag(s) on board. 

Metro Flex has the same lost and found policy as all Metro services. Information about lost and found is available here.