Getting Around Lincoln: StarTran, Bikes, Parking and Walking

Lincoln is an easy city to learn. Downtown is compact, the State Capitol tower makes a handy landmark, and the city runs its own bus system, a bikeshare network and public parking garages.

This guide walks through the practical side of getting around: how StarTran buses work and how to pay, what options exist for riders with disabilities, the rules for biking, and how parking is organized downtown. Schedules, fares and programs change, so treat the details here as a starting point and confirm on the City of Lincoln's own pages before you rely on them.

StarTran: the basics

StarTran is Lincoln's public bus system, run by the city's Transportation and Utilities department. At the time of writing, the StarTran page listed weekday service from early morning into the evening and a shorter Saturday schedule. Exact times vary by route, so check the current service hours and the schedule for the route you plan to use.

Buses do not run on several holidays. The city's list includes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The holiday list can change, so it is worth checking before a holiday trip.

For planning, the city offers a trip planner on its website and RideLNK, a real-time bus tracker that shows where buses are and when they are expected at your stop. Route detours are posted on the StarTran site as well, which is useful during construction season.

One change newcomers should know about is the transfer point. The downtown bus transfer center moved from 11th and N streets to South 11th and L streets on January 16, 2025. The city said the temporary site would be used for an estimated three years while a new multi-modal transportation center is built on the block bordered by Ninth, 10th, G and H streets. The temporary center has covered waiting areas, restrooms, seating, extra lighting and security staff.

Paying your fare

You have a few ways to pay:

• Cash, with exact change, when you board.
• The Token Transit app, which sells digital fares ranging from a single ride to a 31 consecutive day pass.
• Physical passes sold in person at StarTran's office at 710 J Street, which accepts cash, check or credit card.

Transfers are free; StarTran allows one free transfer per paid fare. Several groups pay less or ride free. Reduced fares are available for seniors 62 and older and for qualifying riders through the Go For Less program. Children 4 and under ride free. University of Nebraska–Lincoln students can ride with a valid university bus pass and photo ID. A separate, lower-cost Downtown Trolley fare also exists.

There are also passes aimed at specific needs:

• Low-income 31-day pass: eligibility is based on income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. You show a photo ID with your birth date, and the passes are sold at several locations, including the StarTran office.
• StarPass: unlimited summer rides for youth ages 5 to 18 during three months each summer, with discounts from participating sponsors.

Because prices are updated from time to time, check the Passes and Fares page for current amounts rather than relying on a figure you saw elsewhere.

Paratransit and on-demand rides

StarTran Paratransit is a door-to-door service for people whose disability prevents them from riding a regular city bus. The city notes there are no age or income restrictions. Applying involves two forms, one from you and one from your physician. The fastest route is an online application through FBA Nebraska's portal, and mail and fax are also accepted. If needed, an in-person functional assessment can be arranged.

Once approved, riders can reserve trips by phone or through the VanLNK app. VanLNK is StarTran's on-demand, shared-ride service, which operates within the City of Lincoln. Hours and fares for VanLNK differ from regular buses, so check the city's VanLNK page before you count on a ride.

Biking in Lincoln

Lincoln has a growing set of on-street bike facilities, and the city describes the downtown bike lane on N Street as Nebraska's first protected bike lane. Combined with the trail system, it is possible to cross much of the city by bike without riding in heavy traffic. For the off-street side of things, see our guide to Lincoln's trail network.

BikeLNK, the city's bikeshare program, launched in 2018. You check out a bike at a station and must dock it at a station to end your trip. The city's active transportation page lists BikeLNK alongside its ScooterLNK e-scooter program, and the BikeLNK page points riders to the program's own website for current details.

A few local rules are worth knowing before you ride:

• Do not ride on sidewalks downtown. The city's Bike Lincoln guidance describes the downtown no-sidewalk area as K to R streets between 9th and 16th streets, plus O to R streets between 7th and 9th, and lists several other street segments where sidewalk riding is also prohibited.
• At night, use a front white light and a rear red light. Bike Lincoln notes that riding with both a headlight and a taillight at night is the law in Lincoln.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic, signal your turns, and use bike lanes as designated.
• Helmets are strongly encouraged.

These rules come from Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 10.48 and Nebraska traffic law, which the Bike Lincoln page references.

Putting your bike on the bus

StarTran's bike racks make it easy to combine a bus ride with a bike ride. The steps are simple:

1. Remove loose items such as water bottles and pumps.
2. Tell the driver you will be loading your bike.
3. Squeeze the handle to release the latch and fold the rack down.
4. Lift your bike into the labeled wheel slots.
5. Raise the support arm up and over the front tire, then board.

When you get off, tell the driver first, then reverse the steps and fold the rack up if it is empty. The racks fit bikes with wheels 16 inches or larger, including many children's bikes. Tandems, recumbents, tricycles, mopeds and motorized bikes are not allowed on the racks. StarTran notes that it is not responsible for bikes lost or damaged in transit.

Parking downtown

City parking is managed by Park and Go, part of the Urban Development Department. It oversees city garages, on-street meters, monthly parking and parking citations. A few points to know:

• Park and Go sells a prepaid i-Park Card that you can use when entering and exiting city garages.
• The city sells event parking online for events such as Husker football and basketball games and Pinnacle Bank Arena events. Expect different rates and traffic patterns on those days.
• Meter rates, time limits and enforcement details are posted on the Park and Go pages and can change, so check before you assume parking is free on a given day.
• For cyclists, Park and Go offers bicycle lockers in the Red 1 garage and a bike corral at Center Park.

Walking

Downtown Lincoln is compact, and the Capitol, the Haymarket and the university's City Campus are all close to the core. The Downtown Trolley fare offers a low-cost option for short hops. When you step off a bus, wait at the corner until the bus pulls away before crossing.

Key takeaways

• StarTran runs weekdays and Saturdays with no service on several holidays; confirm current hours and routes on the city's StarTran pages.
• Pay with exact change, the Token Transit app or passes from the StarTran office; transfers are free.
• Reduced, free and low-income fare options exist, and Paratransit serves riders whose disability prevents regular bus use.
• The downtown transfer center is temporarily at South 11th and L streets while a new transportation center is built.
• No sidewalk riding downtown, and use front and rear lights at night.
• Park and Go manages city garages, meters and event parking; check its pages for current rates.

Sources

• City of Lincoln, StarTran
• City of Lincoln, StarTran Passes and Fares
• City of Lincoln, StarTran Paratransit
• City of Lincoln, Bus Transfer Center Relocation
• City of Lincoln, Bike and Bus
• City of Lincoln, Active Transportation and Micromobility
• City of Lincoln, Bike Lincoln: Tips, Tricks and Rules
• City of Lincoln, Park and Go