The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County is planning to rebuild the region’s local fixed-route transit system to cope with the long-term effects of dwindling ridership due to COVID-19 and the severe national and regional labor market shortage.
Starting on Saturday, January 8, 2022, all RTC fixed-route transit routes will operate on what is currently defined as a Sunday-level schedule. Sunday-level service will be in effect seven days a week, with the exception of the RTC Regional Connector service to Carson City, which will operate Monday-Friday. Route 2S, 3CC, and 19 do not have a Sunday schedule and will no longer operate beginning January 8.
“We must respond to 21 months of a pandemic and an unrelenting labor-market shortage. These events, which are beyond our control, have forced us to reconsider how we provide this critical service,” said RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas. “In order for the system to function properly, we must provide reliable service consistent with changed demand and a reduced workforce.”
Transit passengers are encouraged to visit rtcwashoe.com and review the Sunday-level schedules for route information.
RTC Seeks Community Input on Future of Transit:
The community’s transit needs have changed over the past few years, including more people working from home and spending fewer days in the office, business downsizing, and reduced events and gatherings, leading to fewer people commuting on RTC’s fixed-route transit system.
In response to these changes, the RTC is seeking community input on the future of transit in our community as part of the 2022-2026 Transit Optimization Plan Strategies, or TOPS.
TOPS will look at all facets of RTC’s transit system and connections to other services in our region and make recommendations for how to optimize and improve RTC’s transit services.
The goal of TOPS is to improve mobility and enhance quality of life in the Washoe County metropolitan area. TOPS will recommend strategies for:
- Providing a reliable system based on demand and workforce availability;
- Retaining current transit riders and attracting new ones;
- Improving customer service;
- Leveraging and simplifying technology; and
- Assuring RTC’s operations are financially sustainable
The community is encouraged to take a short survey to allow the RTC to gather input about the future of transit service in our community. The survey is available now through December 31: https://forms.office.com/r/pHh7sWKb00. People who take the survey and provide their phone number will receive a free 7-day RTC RIDE pass through the Token Transit app.
For more information, please visit rtcwashoe.com.