The "Metro" Board of Directors votes to convert the Transit Authority of the City of Omaha into a regional metropolitan transit authority.
"Metro" says the change will take effect August 1st and will convert the Transit Authority of the City of Omaha to the "Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority of Omaha."
This conversion is possible because of the "Adopt the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority Act" passed in the 2019 legislative session.
They say the vote opens the door for "Metro" to take its public transportation services beyond Omaha’s city limits.
"Metro" releases what they call "some of the important basics:"
- This opens the door for "Metro" to provide transit services outside of the City of Omaha in the future, but does not immediately change our service area.
- Metro will now have more flexibility in accessing funding if it’s needed, but today's decision does not change the budget on its own. It is possible in the future the board could vote to increase "Metro's" tax levy.
- This funding flexibility is key to implementing projects outlined in MetroNext (improved signage, extended evening and weekend service, permanent K-12 rides free, expanded service to Eppley Airfield, and plenty more)
- Metro's Board of Directors will transition to an elected board.
(Picture from Metro)