A Guide to the Omaha Streetcar Project
By: Ryan Renner, Realtor
I have helped many families move to Omaha. Contact me if you have any questions about the Omaha area or need help buying a home.
The Omaha Streetcar project is on track to reshape downtown and midtown. It will feature 16 stops, allowing residents and visitors to travel seamlessly between popular spots like universities, parks, and cultural centers. This project started in 2021 and is set to be completed by early 2028.
Streetcar Route
The streetcar will stretch about 3 miles, linking downtown Omaha with the Blackstone District in midtown Omaha.
The route will take you from Cass to Farnam along South 10th Street, then head west on Farnam to 42nd Street, before looping back to 10th Street via Harney.
- There will be 13 stops along the route.
- During peak hours, you can expect a service frequency of every 10 minutes, while off-peak times will see intervals of 15-20 minutes.
- On weekdays, the streetcar will run for 19 hours, and on weekends, it will operate between 12 and 18 hours.
- The journey from one end of the line to the other is projected to take around 17-19 minutes.
Future Expansion
Omaha is exploring a streetcar extension into North Omaha. Extensions to the south and west and a line to the airport are also being considered.
Operating Hours
The Omaha Streetcar line will have a weekday service span of 6 a.m. to midnight. (On Friday and Saturday nights, this will extend to 2 a.m.) The route will operate at 10-minute intervals for most of the weekday ridership peak (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and weekend peak (noon to 7 p.m.).
During times of lesser demand, the route will operate at 15-minute intervals on weekdays and 20-minute intervals on weekends. This schedule is subject to change and will be refined closer to operation.
Cost to Ride
Omaha’s streetcar will be free to ride.
- There will be 13 stops along the route.
- During peak hours, you can expect a service frequency of every 10 minutes, while off-peak times will see intervals of 15-20 minutes.
- On weekdays, the streetcar will run for 19 hours, and on weekends, it will operate between 12 and 18 hours.
- The journey from one end of the line to the other is projected to take around 17-19 minutes.
Cost and Funding
The project’s anticipated cost has risen to $459 million, a jump from early estimates. Funding will primarily be sourced through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), with the Omaha City Council approving $440 million in bonds in December 2022. The plan is to repay a total of $600 million (inclusive of interest) through various TIF-related revenue streams.
Economic Impact
The streetcar is expected to spur around $1.3 billion in development by the end of 2024, exceeding initial projections. This initiative is seen as a cornerstone of Omaha’s 30×30 plan, which seeks to attract 30,000 new residents and generate 30,000 new jobs in the urban core over the next 30 years.
Benefits and Criticisms
Supporters believe the streetcar will enhance mobility, drive economic growth, and alleviate parking pressures. However, the project has encountered criticism, particularly regarding its funding and perceived inflexibility when compared to bus systems.
Current Status
As of February 2025, design work is in progress, emphasizing the route, utility coordination, vehicle maintenance facilities, and vehicle specifications. Utility relocation efforts along the proposed route commenced in September 2023.
This innovative project is poised to reshape Omaha’s transit landscape, making it an exciting time for both residents and visitors!
Pre-streetcar work in Omaha turns Farnam, Harney into a traffic obstacle course.
Omaha Streetcar Authority approves $26.7 million for new maintenance facility