Photo Courtesy of Dan Luedert, Nebraska Department of Transportation

Welcome to Open Plains Transit

Open Plains Transit (formerly known as Panhandle Trails) provides demand-response transit along with intercity bus service in the Nebraska Panhandle. We are operated by Senior Services, Inc., which is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Alliance, Nebraska. We have over 43 years of experience in the public transportation industry. We are funded through Federal and State funds that are allocated through the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Be aware that reservations and pre-payment are required for all travel. You must make your reservation by 4:00 p.m. mountain time, Monday through Friday, at least one business day in advance of your travel. Any trip requiring a transfer will need to be reserved by noon on the preceding business day. While we will do our best to accommodate same-day requests, such reservations will be contingent on available seating and may incur additional fees.

Give us a call at the number below to learn more about our services or to schedule a ride. Or click on any of the buttons below for more details about our services, our service schedules, and our connections to other regional transportation providers.

Call us at 308-761-8747 or 402-389-2975

Photo of younger and older generations using Open Plains Transit services.

Our Mission

To connect individuals with intercity transportation resources while providing safe, efficient and affordable passage to destinations throughout the Nebraska Panhandle.

Our Goal

To provide passengers the initial means to reach global destinations through the use of public transportation.

How You Can Help

You can help us provide more and better transit throughout the Panhandle through financial donations or by donating your time as an escort.

Learn More About Helping Us

Our Service Area

The Nebraska Panhandle is two-thirds as broad as the rest of the state. Running approximately 100 miles east to west and 125 miles north to south, the Panhandle spans over 14,000 square miles, or just under 20% of the state’s land. Our routes are concentrated in the Panhandle, traversing 8 of the 11 counties located in this region, though some of our services terminate to the east of the Panhandle (in Ogallala, in Keith County) or to the north (in Pine Ridge, South Dakota). As we grow our fleet, we intend to provide more frequent service across this area, as well as more consistent service in the event of severe weather or maintenance issues.

Our Services

We provide demand-response (point-to-point) transit service in the counties of Box Butte, Cherry, and Sheridan. Additionally, as shown in the adjacent map, we provide intercity bus service throughout most of the Panhandle, including our Blue Routes, Bronze Routes, Green Routes, and Orange Routes. 

Our Connections

Our bus schedules are aligned with other service providers in adjacent areas so that individuals can easily travel to various communities in the Panhandle and across the state. These services also provide access to the surrounding states of Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa and Colorado and extend to Illinois, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico and Texas. This in turn allows access to the rest of United States and indeed the rest of the world. We like to think of Open Plains Transit as “Greyhound”, albeit on a very small scale.

Services for All

We operate our programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Learn More About Title VI
Map of Panhandle region showing Blue, Green, Orange, and Bronze intercity bus routes.
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