New bus route expands transportation options in rural Nebraska

VALENTINE, Neb. - If you don’t drive in a city, you can still get around by bus, rail or ride share, but public transportation is often limited in rural areas. However, that’s starting to change in some parts of Nebraska.

89-year-old Martha Siegfried, of Valentine, doesn’t drive but has no problem catching rides from others.

“On Wednesday and Thursday it’s usually card day at the Senior Center,” Siegfried said.

If her family isn’t able to drive her, she relies on public transportation to visit friends, buy groceries, and go to doctor appointments.

“There is a lot of freedom because you can call up and say, ‘Jason, I’d like to have the bus around 2:30. Would you please pick me up? I’m going down to the store,’” Siegfried said.

Open Plains Transit, which is paid for through, federal, state and local match dollars, began its transportation service in Valentine in 2021. Riders pay $2.00 per trip, but recently it’s been free, thanks to a grant from the Pestel Charitable Foundation.

“We’re looking at over 500 transports a month, and those numbers just keep going up,” said Jonnie Kusek, Open Plains Transit Director of Transportation.

This week the service made another big announcement--the first ever north-south intercity bus route through Nebraska’s midsection. Starting in August, Open Plains plans to offer a route between Valentine and North Platte.

“Reaching access for people to additional medical services, shopping, and regional airport connections. People can reach DIA, which means they have access to the whole world,” Kusek said.

During the meeting, Siegfried also received another surprise—an award for raising awareness about the need for public transportation.

“Actually the bus is really a blessing,” Siegfried said.

“It’s a been a blessing for both of us. I know she’s getting a ride, and she has the freedom to do that,” said Cheryl Gordon, Siegfried's daughter-in-law.

A freedom that some may take for granted.