ProRail Nebraska -- Nebraska's Association of Railroad Passengers and Supporters |
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Welcome to ProRail Nebraska Dedicated to advocating for improved passenger rail and all forms of surface public transportation serving Nebraska. Supporting We're Helping Get Nebraska On Track! Now follow us on Facebook!
ProRail Meetings ProRail Public Annual Meeting May 9, 2026, 2:00 PM Location: Gretna Public Library, 736 South Street, Gretna, NE 68028 The general public is welcome to attend our Annual Meeting Scroll down for meeting agenda and details Next Board Meeting - None scheduled Location: Scooters, 2600 Pine Lake Road #2, Lincoln, NE 68512 Northwest Quadrant - South 27th St. and Pine Lake Road To join by Zoom, email Bridger Corkill at bridger.corkill@outlook.com for the Zoom link All ProRail Nebraska members welcome to attend Scroll down for links to minutes for past ProRail Nebraska Board Meetings
Date:
Saturday, May 9th Time
2:00PM - 3:30PM Location: Gretna Public Library 736 South St, Gretna, NE 68028 Light refreshments will be provided. Agenda:
2:00-2:15
- Refreshments and Welcome 2:15
- Legislative Update from Senator Margo Juarez (Legislative District 5) 2:30
- Omaha Streetcar Presentation from Steve Jensen (City of Omaha) 3:00
- ProRail Update from Matthew Roque 3:10
- Treasurer Report from Bridger Corkill 3:15 - Officer Elections for ProRail ProRail
Nebraska is excited to announce the details for our annual meeting on May 9th
at the Gretna Public Library. We have great speakers lined up to give
updates and take questions on rail initiatives, legislative action, and
progress on the Omaha Streetcar. We hope you can join us! Looking
forward to seeing you there! Matthew Roque and The ProRail Nebraska Board
Click here to view the May 2026 ProRail Nebraska Newsletter
Legislative Update from Matthew Roque April
11, 2026 It's been a big year in
Nebraska for passenger rail advocates. Last
year ProRail co-hosted a series of town hall meetings across Nebraska to
gather feedback from people about what they want to see the State do to
advance passenger rail. Events were held in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island,
Columbus, and North Platte, and drew over 200 participants across the
state. This sends a clear message to the Legislature that people want
more from their transportation system in Nebraska. Feedback we received was
used to develop a bill, LB1098 the Adopt the State Rail Plan Act, to help
get Nebraska back on track with rail planning. I'm happy to report that
because of your hard work the hearing of LB 1098, the Adopt the State Rail
Plan Act, was a smashing success! Five people spoke in favor of the bill
including Senator Juarez, myself, and fellow PRN board member Jim Hanna.
Thanks to those who came down to the capitol after meeting us this Fall! It
was wonderful to see new faces advocating for the many benefits of passenger
rail, and to hear from a wide range of perspectives. Former Senator Al Davis
gave a great testimony about the fact that the bill only commits the state
to planning, and that rail planning is the bare minimum the state should be
doing. PRN was blown away by the depth of knowledge and variety of reasons
that people gave for supporting passenger rail. We're excited to channel
that energy into future efforts to adopt a state rail plan. In addition to in person testimony, 43 of you submitted testimony in online support of the bill! Your dedication makes a difference. Thank you for answering the call and making your voices heard! In addition to feedback from rail advocates, both major railroads and several organizations made valuable comments that will help us refine the bill for the next legislative session. We can't wait to tell you more about it at our annual meeting.
It's
Time to Renew Your Membership Letter
from ProRail Nebraska's
President Dear
Friend, It
is time again to ask for you to renew your support of ProRail Nebraska.
Although modest, your dues allow our organization to continually move
forward in support of public transportation, and more specifically,
passenger rail issues. Your membership not only sustains us financially but
goes to show the breadth of support for our issues. Because
of our work this year on LB 1098 (Adopt the State Rail Plan Act), our bank
account is a little lighter than in years past. This work was extremely
valuable, and we spoke with people at all five of our town hall meetings who
are interested in and passionate about passenger rail. Our plan is to
continue pressing this issue and working with our members to get this bill
reintroduced next year. It
is your continued support of ProRail Nebraska that will make this possible.
As we continue to educate State Senators about the benefits of passenger
rail, it is great knowing that you stand with us. Please
mail your membership dues (Regular - $20, Family - $30, Student - $10) to
Bridger Corkill, Treasurer, ProRail Nebraska, 1945 A St., Lincoln, NE 68502.
Or pay with credit card with your smart phone using the QR code below-left.
You may also use this QR code to make a donation to ProRail Nebraska. Matthew
Roque, President, ProRail Nebraska P.S.
- If you're not yet a ProRail member, use the QR code below-right to join
using your smart phone. Use the QR code on the left to pay your dues.
To pay or join on your computer, just click on the QR code.
Recent Success in Passenger Rail and Public Transit Advocacy By Bridger Corkill - Posted April 11, 2026 Colorado Front Range Passenger Rail gets track deal needed to launch starter train service. Metro Denver's Regional Transportation District would make a one-time payment of $156 million, plus operating expenses of $10 million to $12 million a year, under a deal that would allow Front Range Passenger Rail "starter service" to start by January 2029, state officials said Thursday. St. Paul backs study of passenger rail to Kansas City after Borealis success. The St. Paul City Council last week passed a resolution supporting the study of new passenger rail service connecting St. Paul with Kansas City, Missouri, as well as a dedicated line between St. Paul and Fargo, North Dakota. Amtrak is adding extra daily service between Kansas City and St. Louis for World Cup. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission recently approved $1.7 million of general revenue funds for an extra run of the Amtrak River Runner starting in April 2026. Kansas City is hosting six World Cup matches next summer. First CSX train crosses Chicago's Forest Hill Flyover, major CREATE project. The Flyover is part of the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project, a series of infrastructure undertakings to address South Side rail congestion issues. By elevating CSX's north-south main line above the east-west Metra, BRC, and NS tracks, the new bridge eliminates two sets of diamond crossings that were the source of major congestion as the intersection of 30 Metra SouthWest Service trains and about 35 freight trains.
Senator Juarez Introduces LB1098 - Adopt the State Rail Plan Act On Friday, January 16, Sen. Juarez introduced LB1098, The Adopt the State Rail Plan Act. LB1098 would require the Nebraska DOT to prepare a state rail plan as required by the Federal Railroad Administration. Nebraska's statewide rail plan was last updated in 2003, making it the most out-of-date plan in the country, and rail advocates say that has held Nebraska's railroads back. As can be seen on NE DOT's Rail webpage (https://dot.nebraska.gov/business-center/lpa/rail/), almost all of its focus is on rail-highway grade crossings. LB1098 would require the NE DOT to prepare an updated State Rail Plan and include existing and potential passenger services as well as freight. The bill will likely be assigned to the Transportation & Telecommunications Committee, but as of Jan. 19, no hearing date had been scheduled. ProRail Nebraska believes effective rail transportation is essential to avert the worst effects of human-caused climate change. Increasing rail and transit and moving away from our current heavy emphasis on road and air travel, will bring many environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Public Support for Improved Passenger Service Expressed at Public Meetings
Sen. Juarez is very supportive of public transportation. She introduced LR203 in the 2025 Session. A total of 210 people attended the five public meetings to get input on LR203 during August and September: Columbus (7), Lincoln (56), North Platte (13), Grand Island (26), and Omaha (108) which doesn't include those who participated by Zoom. Sen. Juarez staff is preparing a summary of all the comments received at the meetings and in emails and letters which were overwhelmingly in favor of improved public intercity rail and bus transportation in Nebraska. Thank you to the ProRail volunteers who assisted the senator facilitate these meetings. Scroll down for more information about LR203.
Thank you for participating in the public meetings concerning Nebraska Legislative Resolution 203 - Interim study to evaluate the existing passenger rail infrastructure in NE Reporter Cindy Gonzalez authored an excellent article about LR203 in the August 11 Nebraska Examiner Click
link to read -
Lawmaker
seeks statewide input on Nebraska passenger rail possibilities. Scroll down for more information about LR203 and the public meetings
Meeting Minutes for Recent Meetings April 4, 2026 - LB1098 Next Steps and Planning for Annual Meeting March 14, 2026 - LB1098 Next Steps and Planning for Annual Meeting Feb. 21, 2026 - Recap of Feb. 2 LB1098 Hearing, planning for Annual Meeting Jan. 26, 2026 - Planning for public hearing on LB1098 on Feb. 2 Jan. 24, 2026 - Planning for public hearing on LB1098 on Feb. 2 Jan. 3, 2026 - Recap LR203 Public Meetings and proposed legislation Dec. 6, 2025 - Recap LR203 Public Meetings and proposed legislation Nov. 22, 2025 - Recap LR203 Public Meetings and proposed legislation July 19, 2025 - Planning for LR203 Public Meetings this Summer July 5, 2025 - Planning for LR203 Public Meetings this Summer May 10, 2025 - Planning for Annual Meeting, NE Legislative Session updates April 26, 2025 - Planning for Annual Meeting, NE Legislative Session updates April 12, 2025 - Planning for Annual Meeting, NE Legislative Session updates March 1, 2025 - Preparation for hearing on MIPRC bill (LB256) February 1, 2025 - Lists NE Legislature Bills PRN is supporting, opposing, or monitoring January 18, 2025 - Discussion of bill for Nebraska to rejoin MIPRC
Resolution 203 Hearings Planned By Richard Schmeling - RPN Director Dist. 1 (updated August 8, 2025) Sen. Juarez and the ProRail Board are planning to hold hearings on LR203 this Summer in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island and North Platte. Here is the schedule:
Locations for Public Forums/Town Halls o
Columbus - 6:00-7:30 Tuesday, August 19th - Columbus
Public Library, 2500
14th St., Suite 2, Columbus, NE 68601 o
Lincoln - 6:00-7:30 Friday, September 5th - First
Presbyterian Church o
North Platte - 6:00-8:00 Tuesday, September 9th
- North Platte Public Library o
Grand Island - 6:00-7:30 Tuesday, September 16th
- GI Main Library, 1124 W 2nd St, Grand Island, NE 68801 o Omaha - 5:30-7:30 Monday, September 22nd - Willa Cather Branch of Omaha Public Library, 1905 S 44th St, Omaha, NE Participants can attend the meetings in person or virtually on Zoom. Please contact Sen. Juarez's Office for the Zoom link. Email mjuarez@leg.ne.gov. Click here to view the press release about the LR203 Public Meetings.
Tentative Agenda for Meetings o
Welcome/legislative introductions from Senator Juarez o
PRN Officer provides a brief history of rail planning efforts
in the state and the need for legislation. o
Two short videos promoting successful transit projects in the
US Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
(SMART) Rail Runner (NM) Amtrak Downeaster Boston
Portland Improvements o
PRN Officer or potential video explaining the regional (NE/SD)
Amtrak proposals. o
Open time for questions from Attendees o Invite attendees to complete a short survey
Nebraska Legislative Resolution 203 Introduced Interim study to evaluate the existing passenger rail infrastructure in NE By Richard Schmeling - RPN Director Dist. 1 ProRail President Matthew Roque and Treasurer Bridger Corkill met with NE Senator Margo Juarez, and together they drafted LR203. It was introduced May 14, and it proposes an interim study to evaluate the existing passenger rail infrastructure in Nebraska and gather feedback from the public to inform future legislation. Senators J. Cavanaugh, M. Cavanaugh, DeBoer, Dungan, Prokop, Rountree and Spivey signed on as co-sponsors of the Resolution. Click here to read the full resolution. LR203 was referred to the Transportation & Telecommunications Committee. If that committee does not act and schedule hearings, Sen. Juarez will arrange for and conduct hearings.
Support
Amtrak Long-Distance Refleeting Needs By
Dan Bilka - State Director for South Dakota at the Rail Passenger
Association Our friends at the High Speed Rail Alliance and other advocates helped create the following statement of support to underscore the need (and our interest in) refleeting the Amtrak Long-Distance routes starting with the venerable Superliners. Click here to view the statement. We should work to get letters/resolutions from every single community served by the long-distance network. Mayors and City Councils, County Commissioners, Chanbers of Commerce, Development Organizations and more, we need them all. The importance of refleeting also extends beyond the communities directly served to hundreds more involved in the manufacturing process.
Omaha-Lincoln
Commuter Rail: What Would it
Look Like and How to Get it Started? By Eric Miller - Grow Omaha - May 16, 2025
A
concept that is often talked about is a rail transit connection between
Omaha and Lincoln. I hear this especially with the Omaha Streetcar project
as some folks will say that we really need to look at connecting Omaha and
Lincoln with a fast and more frequent transit option. Recall from my earlier article on transit technologies that the appropriate modes for transit between Omaha and Lincoln include commuter rail and intercity/regional bus, a service that provides more frequency than intercity passenger rail (think the current Amtrak California Zephyr, which is one trip a day in each direction). Regional or interregional bus service (connecting cities within a large region and/or multiple regions) provides more frequent service than intercity bus with stops that have good connections to existing transit, such as in Omaha and Lincoln. Commuter rail usually shares an existing freight railroad corridor,
operates at higher speeds than light rail (traditionally up to 79 MPH), and
serves longer distances. The distance between downtown Omaha and downtown
Lincoln is about 60 miles and is perfect for commuter rail or regional bus
service. Also recall from my previous
article on multimodal transportation centers that connecting
planned hubs between the two cities would enable connections to transit in
either city in addition to providing passenger amenities at each end, which
makes the trip without a car easier and a better overall experience. That sounds well and good, but how do we get this service started? What does it take and what has already been done? Click here to read the rest of the article.
Nebraska
- More Service for the Cornhusker State! By
Dan Bilka - State Director for South Dakota at the Rail Passenger
Association (Dan
was a speaker at our May 18, 2024 PRN Meeting in Gretna, NE) The Long-Distance study process has identified two potential new routes through Nebraska. 1) A Twin Cities to Denver Routing that would cut through the panhandle, and a Twin Cities - Omaha- Kansas City and beyond routing. This is with continuation of the existing California Zephyr route.
This
isn't the last step, this is only the first step, to
expand passenger rail access in Nebraska. We'll also continue making
the case for more routes, ultimately, to be included for passenger rail (North
Platte, Grand Island, Ogallala, etc.). Recall that the
original 1956 US Interstate Highway Act didn't include key interstate connections
we have today. Congress passed an amendment in 1958 to add in new segments
such as I-29 between Sioux Falls, SD and Fargo, ND. More segments can
ultimately be added to strengthen our national network. Often derided as "fly-over county", the Great Plains has outsized travel needs compared to our population size. We often have to travel longer distances, more frequently, compared to our coastal counterparts. With your help, support, and vocal interest to the FRA, state leaders, and the Congressional delegation, we can make this network happen. What's
next? The final round of
Workshops will be held later this year after which the final report will be
delivered to Congress. Once delivered, we need Congress to act on these
recommendations and bring these critically needed routes into reality. Once
they act on these recommendations, these proposed routes will have to go
through service development planning (and likely construction activities)
prior to implementation. We
need to ensure that the Congressional Delegation (Senator Fischer, Senator
Ricketts, and US House Reps. Flood, Bacon, and Smith) are on-board with
passenger rail. They can help ensure that the Cornhuskers are a national
priority moving forward. Key
to Quote from RPA President Jim Mathews: "As
for the naysayers you may have read on social media, well, they're
entitled to their opinions. But nobody should draw conclusions about whether
rail expansion is worthwhile just from looking at leaked sections of a
vision map. And assuming that somehow a year and a half of concentrated
full-time study would NOT include thinking about track
conditions, capital investment, living patterns, equipment needs, or station
placement and design? Well, that's just plain silly. The FRA team didn't
just order out for pizza last month and sit in someone's basement to draw
up a map with Magic Markers. Everyone involved knows that the next step is a
broad, high-level assessment of capital needs, ridership, social and
economic benefits, and stages of readiness. And that's coming in Round
Four this Spring, setting the stage for additional route-specific detailed
planning later on."
================================================== We think trains need more prominence in the U.S. because:
(above courtesy Rail Passenger Association) ================================================= ALL ABOARD FOR PRORAIL NEBRASKA!  JOIN PRORAIL NEBRASKA!
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| Updated 04/18/2026 |
