As Nebraska prepares for another highly anticipated football season, the way fans travel to Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium is set to change. The schedule kicks off on September 5 with a home game against Ohio, and the season will feature seven contests at the iconic stadium.
Regulatory shift opens door for private operators
Pronto Corporation, a private shuttle operator, has been awarded the contract to provide transportation for Husker game days, taking over from the long‑standing StarTran Big Red Express service. Lincoln Transportation and Utilities announced the change in a press release on Wednesday, marking the end of a 45‑year run by the public transit agency’s dedicated game‑day routes.
The transition is made possible by recent federal regulations that bar federally funded transit agencies from competing with private companies, a rule that has cleared the path for Pronto to step in.
Customers will need to reserve their rides in advance, and fares will vary depending on the distance, ranging from $10 for a short trip within Lincoln to more than $59 for round‑trip services to outlying communities.
The new service will initially cover Lincoln and then expand to a network of nearby cities including Omaha, Kearney, Grand Island, Norfolk and Columbus, giving fans more flexibility in how they reach the stadium.
By extending routes to Omaha, Kearney and other regional hubs, Pronto aims to serve not only Husker fans but also visitors attending other events at the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln, potentially boosting local economies.
Expanding the reach of game‑day travel
The expanded network promises connections to a wider array of neighborhoods and suburbs, alleviating parking pressures around the stadium on game days. While some longtime riders expressed nostalgia for the familiar StarTran buses, many are expected to embrace the new options, especially as the private operator promises efficiency and innovation.