Pronto asks Lincoln and StarTran to join Huskers shuttle pilot for two home games

Pronto Corporation is asking the City of Lincoln and StarTran to help run a shuttle pilot for Nebraska football’s Oct. 31 and Nov. 21 home games. The company says local transit buses are needed to ease a severe shortage of private buses and motorcoaches in the region.

Why it matters: - Lincoln is facing demand for special-event shuttle service that exceeds the private bus and motorcoach capacity available in the region. - A public–private setup could expand service for Husker fans and make transit buses available to riders who may need a more comfortable option than school buses. - The proposal could also test how local public transit equipment might be used to supplement private charter capacity under federal rules.

What happened: - Pronto Corporation invited the City of Lincoln and StarTran to participate in a shuttle pilot for the Huskers home games on Oct. 31 and Nov. 21. - The company said the pilot would use transit buses available in Lincoln to help meet demand for the two remaining home games. - Kumar Shah, Pronto’s president and CEO, said Pronto wants the mayor, the city and StarTran to use their discretionary authority to deploy equipment for the benefit of residents and Husker fans.

The details: - Pronto said it has already secured buses and motor coaches from Omaha, Council Bluffs and Kansas. - Even with those vehicles, the company said the service remains severely supply constrained. - Pronto said school buses are the only private capacity it can still secure when motor coaches are unavailable. - The company said transit coaches are a more appropriate and more comfortable option for many adults, older passengers and riders with mobility needs. - Pronto said Lincoln residents have raised concerns about the discomfort of traveling on school buses. - The company said the community previously used StarTran transit buses for this service when StarTran operated it for 45 years. - Pronto said the Federal Charter Service Rule provides a framework for the arrangement. - Under 49 CFR §604.8, a public transit agency may lease federally funded equipment and drivers to an eligible registered charter provider after available capacity from private registered providers in the agency’s service area has been exhausted. - Pronto said leasing under 604.8 is permissible, but the decision is up to the public agency. - Pronto provided an open letter to Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and a supporting package, available here. - Pronto listed media contact information as pr@ProntoCorporation.com and 650.870.1343. - Pronto’s website is iPronto.com.

Between the lines: - Pronto is framing the request as a shortage problem, not a one-off scheduling issue. - The company is also signaling that Lincoln’s transit assets could be part of the solution if city officials choose to participate. - The appeal mixes logistics, fan service and accessibility concerns, which broadens the case beyond simple transportation capacity.

What's next: - Pronto is inviting the mayor, the city and StarTran to meet and implement the pilot for the two home games. - Any move forward would depend on the city’s decision to use its discretion under the federal charter rule. - If approved, the pilot would add local transit buses to the shuttle mix for the Oct. 31 and Nov. 21 games.

The bottom line: - Pronto wants Lincoln to help fill a shuttle gap by bringing StarTran buses into the mix for Husker home games.