This fall, a private company called Pronto Corporation will assume responsibility for shuttling Husker fans to football games in Lincoln, replacing the long‑standing Big Red Express service that was operated by the city’s public transit agency.
The transition was announced by Lincoln Transportation and Utilities in a press release on Wednesday, marking the first time a private firm has been tapped to provide game‑day transportation under a new federal rule that bars federally funded transit agencies from competing with private operators.
Regulatory backdrop
The rule, which applies to any agency that receives federal funding for public transit, was cited by officials as the primary driver behind the shift. It is intended to protect public resources while opening the market to private innovation, and it directly prevents the city’s transit system from offering competing shuttle routes.
Under the new arrangement, riders must secure a reservation ahead of time, and fares are structured to reflect the distance traveled. Within Lincoln the cost starts at $10 per trip, while round‑trip tickets to neighboring cities such as Omaha, Kearney, Grand Island, Norfolk and Columbus can exceed $59.
A broader footprint
Pronto’s service area will extend well beyond Lincoln, covering a network of seven home games scheduled at Memorial Stadium beginning on September 5, when the Cornhuskers open the season against Ohio. The expanded route will connect fans in several mid‑size Nebraska communities, aiming to streamline travel for those who might otherwise drive long distances.
The company has emphasized that advance booking will be mandatory, a requirement that could reshape how supporters plan their game‑day logistics. While the exact schedule of shuttle departures has not yet been released, the firm has indicated that it will coordinate closely with the university’s athletics department to ensure timely arrivals for each home game.
For many fans, the shift represents both a convenience and a cost consideration. The ability to reserve a seat eliminates the uncertainty of finding space on a crowded bus, but the price differential — especially for trips to outlying cities — may influence travel choices. As the season progresses, the performance of the private service will be closely watched by both the university and the broader public transit community.