| Numerous transit companies, all privately owned and operated, competed in providing transportation for Metropolitan Omaha and surrounding communities from 1867 until June 30, 1972...when declining ridership forced the remaining two transit providers, the Omaha Transit Company and the City Transit Lines, Inc. of Council Bluffs, to curtial service. |
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| TRANSIT RIDERSHIP |
| YEAR |
REVENUE PASSENGERS |
| 1956 |
20,443,670 |
| 1957 |
17,870,722 |
| 1958 |
16,698,884 |
| 1959 |
16,677,693 |
| 1960 |
17,329,087 |
| 1961 |
16,704,771 |
| 1962 |
16,701,455 |
| 1963 |
16,069,689 |
| 1964 |
15,510,640 |
| 1965 |
15,120,685 |
| 1966 |
14,436,073 |
| 1967 |
13,380,084 |
| 1968 |
11,788,515 |
| 1969 |
11,071,971 |
| 1970 |
9,556,213 |
| 1971 |
8,251,157 |
| 1972 |
7,282,897 |
|
| As ridership declined, farebox revenues fell short of covering all expenses. With farebox revenues their sole source of income, both transit companies were forced to take measures in order to increase their income. The Omaha Transit Company applied to the Nebraska Railway Commission for a fare increase of five (5) cents, which would have permanently raised the fare from forty (40) to forty-five (45) cents. City Transit Lines, under the justification of the City of Council Bluffs, applied to the city for an increase in city subsidy or a fare increase. Both companies' requests were respectively denied and they were left with no alternative, but to discontinue service. Please read the World Herald Article. The private transit providers in Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, exempt from federal subsidies available to public transit providers with the passage of the Urban Mass Transit Act of 1964, could not compete with the public's increasing preference for private ownership of the automobile. After the announcement of the discontinuence of private transit service, the Railway Commission granted a temporary five (5) cent fare increase. Please read the World Herald's article.This was done to enable the Omaha Transit Company to remain in service until June 30, 1972, when either the City of Omaha or State of Nebraska would assume responsibity for public transportation in Omaha. City Transit Lines agreed as well to remain in service under the existing subsidy until June 30, 1972. |
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