Lincoln will have a new shuttle operator for the 2026 Husker football season, as StarTran ends its Big Red Express service and turns the gameday operation over to a private charter company. iPronto, a private company based in San Jose, California, will replace StarTran beginning in September. The first of Nebraska’s seven home games is September 5 against Ohio. StarTran has operated the Big Red Express to help Husker fans get to games since the early 1980s.
StarTran Assistant Director of Transit Carla Cosier tells KLIN News federal requirements for publicly funded transit agencies are behind the change. Cosier says StarTran has to notify private charter companies when it wants to operate a service considered charter transportation, because publicly funded agencies cannot compete with private companies that are able to provide the service.
“This is the first year that a private charter company has shown an interest and is willing and able to perform the service,” Cosier tells KLIN News. StarTran will work with iPronto and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to help the company take over the service for the 2026 season.
The shuttle routes and pickup locations will remain the same, with stops at Lincoln Northwest High School, Lincoln North Star High School, SouthPointe Mall and Gateway Mall. Cosier says the biggest change for riders will be that iPronto requires passengers to purchase tickets in advance instead of showing up at a pickup location and boarding a bus. “They are requiring that you purchase your ticket in advance,” Cosier tells KLIN News. “So there is not going to be the ability to just show up at the lot and hop on a bus.”
Lincoln fares will be $10 for one-way inbound service, $25 for a round trip with a delayed return and $30 for a round trip with an immediate return. Intercity round trips from Omaha, Kearney/Grand Island and Norfolk/Columbus will cost between $59 and $89. That is higher than last year’s Big Red Express fares, which were $15 for adults and $10 for children for a round trip. The new service will also offer intercity transportation to Husker games from communities outside Lincoln.
Current Big Red Express pass holders will receive a full refund. Cosier tells KLIN News StarTran will mail checks to those customers no later than September 15. iPronto has provided online booking and special-event shuttle services for more than 15 years, including transportation for San Francisco 49ers games, the University of California-Berkeley and major events such as Coachella. StarTran will not operate the Big Red Express during the 2026 football season.
For reservations and additional information fans can contact iPronto at 877-494-9377 or 650-249-7420 or Here