The Lincoln StarTran Advisory Board received updates on bus operations, infrastructure projects and planned service improvements. Assistant Transit Director Carla Cosier said downtown construction has caused delays of up to 30 minutes on the No. 44 O Street route. StarTran is continuing work on a fare payment upgrade that will allow riders to pay by tapping phones and debit cards. Fare boxes are expected by December, though credit card processing does not yet have a launch date. The groundbreaking for Lincoln’s Multimodal Transportation Center has taken place.
Public comment focused on bus stop conditions, malfunctioning screens and accessibility for riders with disabilities. A rider with vision and hearing impairments described difficulties reserving Handi-Van rides through the existing app and phone system, as well as drivers missing her at bus stops. StarTran said it is testing a texting feature and arranged for her to contact a supervisor by text in the meantime. Staff also discussed replacing six aging paratransit vans, a future safety plan approval and a long-range transportation plan that emphasizes connections between transit, biking and walking.
Meeting documented by Journey McManus
Read full meeting notes here
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Leah Wambui Keinama boasts a robust professional journey, commencing as a systems engineer and integrator within the software industry. In this capacity, she excelled in the conception, design, construction, and deployment of software systems, adeptly managing projects from inception to completion. Transitioning into the nonprofit realm, Leah directed her expertise towards enhancing food systems, with a particular emphasis on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and bolstering food accessibility while fostering resilient communities. Her repertoire includes comprehensive program design skills coupled with a profound commitment to community engagement. Leah's fervor for cultivating networks and forging meaningful connections underscores her dedication to advancing organizational goals.