For those of us who have tried to get around Bellevue without a car, it isn’t easy. I’ve gotten rides with others, biked home from school, and walked to work. However, getting somewhere further away is practically impossible due to a lack of public transportation. 

This is a major issue within the city, and something that must be addressed and given priority in Bellevue’s upcoming Comprehensive and Transportation Plan.

Currently, there is one bus route–run by Omaha’s Metro program–which goes through Bellevue. The buses run exclusively on weekdays, and the four times a day that buses stop at each station are clearly tailored to a Bellevue resident’s work commute into the city. This is not enough.

A great first step would be to expand this route; more frequent buses would allow people who go to and leave work at slightly different times to still utilize the system, and more expansive hours would create a way for those who have other purposes to take advantage of a significantly greener, safer, and often less expensive option than cars.

In addition to expanding this existing route, Bellevue needs a system for itself. Relying solely on Omaha’s program has the potential to limit a major asset to our city, instead of creating a program that would support local Bellevue people and businesses. With the upcoming construction of a waterpark and cybersecurity complex, this is the perfect opportunity to incorporate this system as jobs are created and tourism increases.

This idea is completely within reach; many cities of various sizes throughout Nebraska have incorporated public transportation options into their infrastructure. This includes Grand Island, which has a population of approximately 52,000 people compared to Bellevue’s almost 64,000. 

In addition, it’s an issue of equity. Because of the lower costs of public transportation, it provides those with less wealth a greater ability to get involved in the community around them. According to the Federal Transit Administration, “a lack of reliable and affordable transportation” is one reason for low-income families remaining in poverty. 

Significant health benefits also would be provided by this kind of system. Not only does using public transportation produce less air pollution than cars, but it also reduces the risk of being in an accident and encourages commuters to walk, providing exercise and reducing obesity.

Bellevue’s current lack of accessible public transportation is one of the biggest problems within the city, and the upcoming Bellevue Comprehensive and Transportation Plan provides a fitting opportunity to change that. 

Let’s bring buses to Bellevue.