Lincoln Broke Ground on Transportation Center
The $33 million facility aims to centralize bus services for over 80% of StarTran riders.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Lincoln officials broke ground on a new $33 million transportation center designed to serve the majority of the city's public transit passengers. The project is strategically located at Ninth and H streets to reduce commute times for local riders.
Why it matters
The center aims to improve StarTran service by creating a central hub for the area where more than 80% of the system's ridership is concentrated. By centralizing operations, the city hopes to streamline transit and increase overall efficiency for commuters.
The facility will feature 19 covered bus bays and integrate sustainable infrastructure, including solar energy, a green roof, and geothermal climate control. Funding for the project includes $23.6 million in federal grants and $900,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
The players
StarTran
StarTran is the public transit system operated by the City of Lincoln providing bus services to residents.
Nebraska Environmental Trust
The Nebraska Environmental Trust is a state entity that provides financial support for projects aimed at environmental protection.
Lancaster County
Lancaster County is the regional government authority that sold the project site to the City of Lincoln.
The details
The site, which currently serves as a parking area for city and county employees, was selected from over a dozen potential locations. Once completed, the center is expected to significantly reduce daily commute times for local transit users.
Timeline
Construction begins the week of September 22, 2026.
The official groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 22, 2026.
The city expects to complete the project by spring 2028.
Roadmap
This project aligns with the national trend of investing in centralized, high-efficiency transit hubs to support sustainable public transportation. By prioritizing multimodal infrastructure, the city is positioning its transit network to better compete with personal vehicle reliance.
Commuters can expect a major reduction in daily travel times once the centralized hub opens in 2028. The shift will consolidate bus operations for the vast majority of local transit users currently navigating the existing system.
The takeaway
Centralizing transit hubs is a proven strategy for increasing public transportation ridership and efficiency. Residents should prepare for construction activity at the Ninth and H street site over the next two years.
Further reading
Learn more about the city's push for sustainable infrastructure on the Electric Vehicles page.
More information
View project updates and site plans on the City of Lincoln MMTC project webpage.
Live Poll
Do you believe the construction of new transit hubs improves daily commutes in your area?
