Two airport shuttle services between Omaha and Lincoln are combining with the recent acquisition of A&B Shuttle of Bellevue by OmaLink of Lincoln.
Airline pilot Chris Stokes of Lincoln, who founded OmaLink nine years ago, said Wednesday the combined company has 43 full-time and part-time personnel and a fleet of 23 vehicles, with the addition of A&B’s 13 vans. Rates are controlled by the Nebraska Public Service Commission and remain the same, Stokes said.
A&B owner Mike Van Meter will help with the transition for 90 days and continue as a consultant, Stokes said. Stokes’ wife, Alisha, is joining the company as president to oversee the transition. He said the company hopes to keep its employees, expand services and hire more people.
Stokes declined to give terms of the sale, which was financed through a U.S. Small Business Administration loan guarantee program for veterans.
In the coming months, the two offices will be combined, most likely in Lincoln, he said, and will retain the OmaLink name. Its primary business is carrying airline passengers in 15-seat vans between the Lincoln and Omaha airports, although it handles other deliveries and transportation and also has a limousine and Lincoln Town Cars.
Eppley Express, based in Kearney, Neb., also operates shuttles to Eppley Airfield, with stops in Grand Island, York and Lincoln.
Stokes, who is based at United Airlines’ operation in Chicago, said he started the company after complaining for years that it was difficult for air travelers to get between the Omaha and Lincoln airports.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1080, steve.jordon@owh.com
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