Nebraska Public Transit Week (NPTW), proclaimed as April 21-27, 2024, by Governor Jim Pillen, aims to highlight the pivotal role of public transit in fostering accessibility, sustainability, and community connectivity across the state. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), in collaboration with public transit providers throughout the state, will provide a showcase of the benefits and opportunities in embracing public transportation. In 2023, Nebraska’s rural transit drivers traveled over 4 million miles with over 600,000 passenger boardings. Public transit options, in both rural and urban communities, are vital to those who do not own or cannot use a personal vehicle.
Open Plains Transit (OPT) operated by Senior Services, Inc. based in Alliance, NE, offers either intercity bus, local transit, non-emergency medical transportation, Medicaid transportation services or all of these, to a service area that encompasses the Nebraska Panhandle region, includes the recent expansion of county-wide services to the 6,000 square miles of Cherry County, the City of Valentine and other communities located within its borders. Intercity bus services operate on regularly scheduled routes along major Nebraska highway corridors, between Panhandle communities to outer region destinations of Hyannis on NE HWY 2 and Valentine on U.S. HWY 20. Currently, OPT offers transportation to select locations in South Dakota and Wyoming. Allowing for additional access to healthcare or regional transportation connections in Cheyenne, WY. Connections to Pine Ridge, SD for Indian Health Services, conducting business at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, connecting with Oglala Sioux Transit or visiting family and friends. In 2023, OPT transported over 7,200 passengers and traveled over 238,281 miles.
OPT Director of Transportation, Jonnie Kusek, believes in working together with those that have a common goal. “We can achieve so much more by working together, pooling our resources, analyzing the logistics and data and creating a greater collective impact for our region and for those we are here to serve.” By working with likeminded partners, such as Christy Warner, Transit Administrator for Kimball County Transit, mutual passengers are able to travel between the Panhandle region to Colorado front range communities and the Denver International Airport (DIA) or from the Union Station/Amtrak (Denver) and DIA, all the way to Rapid City, SD. The Panhandle portion of this route transpired after a two-year pilot project conducted by OPT. OPT officially kicked off this route from Scottsbluff, NE to Rapid City, SD, earlier this year. This route currently operates Tuesday through Friday. It departs early, includes a stop in Hot Springs, SD, Monument Health, intercity bus and airport connections in Rapid City, SD, returning by 2:15 p.m.
OPT is collaborating with partners based in South Dakota, on a Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG). This grant-based program helps Veterans in highly rural areas travel to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities. This program provides grant funding for transportation services in eligible counties. Nebraska currently has 37 eligible counties. OPT would be the transportation service provider for trips that originate or end within their service areas in Nebraska. “We need to find additional ways for our Veterans to access needed healthcare,” states Kusek. “Logistics and distances are already barriers enough. Let’s at least try to take advantage of funding and partnerships that are out there to pay for the transportation. Then all we have to do is find vehicles and qualified staff,” she says with a smile. “We can do that! Right?” Always the optimist.
For many in the Open Plains Transit service area, public transit is a lifeline to medical care, groceries, food subsidies, senior and veteran services, education, jobs, and mobility in their day-to-day lives.
For Cherry County citizens, there is currently a survey underway for those that have an interest or a need for transportation to and from Ainsworth and Bassett, through May 31st. Contact OPT Dispatch at 402-389-2975, if you would like one emailed or delivered to you.
Fare FREE transportation within Valentine, NE Monday through Friday, 7-4, FREE HWY 20 Wednesdays – Departs Merriman to Valentine at 06:30 (MT), all communities in between, Departs Valentine to Merriman at 1:00 (CT). Thank you to the Pestel Charitable Foundation.
One of the newest services coming soon for Valentine, Cherry County and communities along U.S. HWY 83, will be the first ever intercity bus route, right in the middle of the State of Nebraska. This will be known as OPT’s RED Route. It will operate as a pilot project between Valentine and North Platte, NE, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, functioning as a feeder service to intercity bus services, regional air services, access to healthcare, educational resources and more. There will be designated stops at Brownlee Rd., Thedford, Stapleton and in North Platte, NE. This service was originally scheduled to start in April of 2024, but has been delayed to due to vehicle availability, with plans to possibly begin later in May 2024.
Intercity bus services provide the opportunity to bring visitors to western Nebraska communities, as well. Those wanting to get away from it all, especially during the shoulder seasons of tourism, to visit family and friends, conduct business, enjoy our great outdoors and more, Nebraska is the place to be. There are so many ways that people can help promote public transportation to bring visitors to your community. Signage at airports, bus stations and tourism sites, having businesses tag local public transit use in advertisements they are already placing, etc. Currently, in the City of Valentine, there is no charge to use the local service if reservations are made two days in advance or HWY 20 Wednesdays for communities between Merriman and Valentine. Promoting a free way for customers to reach businesses is a win for businesses and passengers alike!
During Nebraska Public Transit Week, OPT has chosen to support the continuation of Julie Weems’, St. Agnes Academy’s 4th Grade Class Service Project in Alliance, NE. They collected donated items for The Cornerstone Women’s and Children’s Shelter located in Rapid City, SD. The Cornerstone has recently added fifty new rooms to their facility and needs donations. Mrs. Weems feels this organization is incredible because they house women and children fleeing abuse and homelessness, assist mothers in finding employment and permanent housing. Director Kusek stated, “OPT wanted to “adopt” and support Julie’s cause. We just loved the kindness, compassion and doing for others that she was trying to instill in her students.” The Cornerstone Rescue Mission, a 501c3 nonprofit, is the closest homeless shelter to OPT service areas, which provides physical and spiritual needs to over 500 people daily. They strive to provide programs to help everyone to become more self-sufficient. OPT has transported individuals from Nebraska to their mission and has witnessed successful outcomes. OPT will be collecting items for their Veteran’s and Men’s Ministry and the Women and Children’s Home, through May 31st. Items can be dropped off or mailed to the following: OPT Depots at 323 Flack Ave, Alliance, NE or 312 E. 3rd St., Valentine, NE. Arrangements can be made for pickup in other OPT service communities.
Items Needed:
The Cornerstone Rescue Mission
Veteran’s & Men’s Ministry & the Women and Children’s Home
New or Gently Used Clothing: Infant to Teen, Women, Men’s Clothing – All Sizes!
Adult & Child Hygiene Items (shampoo/conditioner, soap, antiperspirant, toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss/mouthwash, lotions, Chapstick, razors, hairbrushes, combs, hair ties, female hygiene products, etc.)
Infant Hygiene Items (diapers, baby wipes, baby shampoo/body wash/lotion)
Laundry & Kitchen Items (powder detergent, dryer sheets, dishwasher pods, dish soap, hand soap)
Coffee, sugar, powder creamer
Kids Activities (Coloring & Activity Books, Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils)
OPT encourages everyone to support local and intercity public transportation services everywhere. For additional information about Open Plains Transit services, contact Jonnie Kusek at 308-761-8747.