For Immediate Release
Nebraska State Legislature Office of Senator Margo Juarez
Lincoln, Nebraska – [September 4th, 2025]- State Senator Margo Juarez of Omaha (District 5) is collecting Nebraska’s sentiment regarding passenger rail to inform Legislative Resolution 203 (LR203), a resolution to further conduct an interim study to evaluate the existing passenger rail infrastructure in Nebraska on behalf of the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunication Committee. Senator Juarez is working with ProRail Nebraska to gather public opinion at a series of five town halls held across the state and is hosting an online survey on PollTheVote.com, a platform made by and for Nebraskans.
“Transportation is a priority in our state, and I’m disappointed in the lack of progress we’ve made. The streetcar coming to Omaha is exciting, but it’s only the beginning. I want communities across Nebraska to see what a great asset passenger rail can be. I once got on a train from the airport to my destination for just $1.25. That kind of reliability and affordability should be available to everyone in Nebraska.” Senator Juarez said in a recent interview.
Senator Juarez is hosting a town hall for residents to attend either in person or remotely by zoom to promote dialogue and gather feedback: North Platte Town Hall - September 9th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the North Platte Library (120 W 4th St.)
Senator Juarez emphasizes that these meetings are meant to include voices from across the state, not just from urban centers. “This isn’t just about the big cities. I want residents from Grand Island, North Platte, Columbus, everyone, to feel seen and heard.” Nebraska residents that wish to participate remotely by zoom are to email Senator Juarez at [email protected], to obtain the zoom registration link at least 2 days in advance of their chosen town hall date.
Online Survey: https://tinyurl.com/PaRail203
The Senator urges Nebraskans to join the conversation about the future of passenger rail and public transit by taking her online survey hosted by the Omaha, Nebraska startup, Poll The Vote at; https://tinyurl.com/PaRail203. Participant’s sentiment will be anonymized and evaluated to help shape policy recommendations that will be submitted to the Nebraska Legislature at the conclusion of the LR203 study.
Partners:
Senator Juarez’s efforts are supported by ProRail Nebraska (PRN), a statewide advocacy group affiliated with the Rail Passenger Association (RPA). PRN champions improved passenger rail and surface public transportation options for all Nebraskans. In collaboration with Poll the Vote, a civic and community engagement platform that seeks to revolutionize how individuals connect
with their elected officials beyond election night; Senator Juarez is partnering with the Nebraska startup to collect the public’s sentiment.
BACKGROUND
About Senator Margo Juarez:
Senator Margo Juarez represents District 5 (South Omaha) in the Nebraska Legislature. A champion of sustainable development and public infrastructure, she introduced Legislative Resolution 203 (LR203) to study Nebraska’s passenger rail system and increase community involvement in shaping transportation policy. Senator Juarez is committed to improving access, mobility, and economic opportunity for all Nebraskans. For more information about LR203 or to reach Senator Juarez directly, contact her at [email protected], call her office at 402-471- 2710, or reach her cell at 402-916-0336.
About Legislative Resolution 203 (LR203):
Senator Juarez, the sponsor of Legislative Resolution 203 (LR203), has long been passionate about expanding mass transit in Nebraska, drawing from personal experiences in western U.S. cities where train systems were both reliable and affordable. She is joined by several other Senators who are committed to advancing transportation solutions across the state e.g: Senators Victor Roundtree (District 3), John Cavanaugh (District 9), Machaela Cavanaugh (District 6), Wendy DeBoer (District 10), Ashlei Spivey (District 13), George Dungan (District 26), and Jason Prokop (District 27).
About ProRail Nebraska (PRN):
ProRail Nebraska (PRN) is a statewide, member-based organization dedicated to improving passenger rail and all forms of surface public transportation serving Nebraska. PRN is an affiliate of the Rail Passenger Association (RPA), which advocates for passenger rail service on a national level. For more information visit http://www.trainweb.org/prorailnebraska/
About Poll the Vote (PollTheVote.com):
Poll the Vote is a Civic + Community engagement platform designed to capture public sentiment and drive data-informed decision-making. It is powered by Ideologix Insights, an Omaha, Nebraska data analytics startup that connects individuals to their elected officials, candidates for office and community leaders. For more information, visit https://pollthevote.com or contact Heather Nelson, founder & CEO at [email protected] or 402-690-0957.