Senior Services, Inc. is issuing an urgent appeal to the community, local leaders, and media partners to help protect and sustain vital public transportation services that thousands of vulnerable Nebraskans rely on every single day.
For many seniors, individuals with disabilities, and lower-income residents across Nebraska, public transit is not a luxury—it is a lifeline. These essential services ensure that thousands of our neighbors can reach life-sustaining medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, and crucial community connections. Without immediate support and heightened public awareness, these wheels could grind to a halt, leaving thousands stranded and isolated.
Transportation is the bridge to community and regional connectivity, health, independence, and dignity, especially for our senior community, or those of varying mobility and ability levels. We are calling on our media partners and the public for their consideration in sharing this message broadly. We need everyone to understand what is at stake: when a community loses transit, an entire region may suffer. Its citizens lose connections to employment, education, essential services previously mentioned, and the most vulnerable citizens lose their freedom, access to basic necessities, and many times much of their dignity.
Senior Services, Inc. is urging the public, civic organizations, and local representatives to advocate for, fund, and protect these essential transit networks before service reductions impact those who need them most.
How You Can Help Right Now (Call to Action):
Share This Story: Media outlets and community members are urgently requested to share the attached press release across print, broadcast, and social media platforms using the hashtag #KeepOPTMoving, #WesternNE, #NEleg
Contact Your Representatives: Call or email your local and state officials to urge them to prioritize and protect funding for public senior and rural transit infrastructure.
Donate or Volunteer: Visit www.optne.com or call 308-761-8747, to see how your financial contributions or volunteer time can directly assist in keeping vehicles on the road and helping our priority passengers reach critical appointments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, etc. if services are suspended..
We would deeply appreciate your help in raising public awareness before these vital connections are lost or we may need your assistance if we’re ever able to restore them once they are gone.