Recent federal funding for transportation and traffic safety improvements in Southern Nevada will facilitate transformative projects over the next few years.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) oversees transportation planning and traffic management in the region. Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, Chair of the RTC, said the agency is dedicated to ‘transit-oriented development’ in Southern Nevada.
“We’re not just adding some buses.” Jones said the transportation authority is “really taking into consideration the user experience.”
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently granted the RTC more than $150 million for the Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit project, which is expected to begin construction later this year. Another $5.86 million was funded toward research and planning of a high-capacity line along Charleston Boulevard.
RTC Chief Executive Officer M.J. Maynard said projects like these will provide not only an improved transit service, but also enhance the surrounding communities.
“You’ll see pedestrian improvements, transit amenities, improved bus stops, shelters, [and] shade trees,” Maynard said of the Maryland Parkway project. The line will also be the RTC’s first zero-emission route.
The transportation authority is increasing its efforts in sustainable energy. Last year, the RTC introduced four battery electric buses and two hydrogen fuel cell electric buses to its fleet, with seven more expected to arrive this fall. The RTC aims to transition its entire fleet to zero emissions vehicles by 2050 if funding is available.
“We’re testing the technology,” Maynard said. “As funding becomes available, it’s something that we’re starting to lean into.
But the RTC cannot attain its ambitious goals without financial backing. And like many public transit organizations, the agency is facing a transit deficit issue.
The RTC anticipates a near $160 million deficit by the fiscal year 2029.
“The federal money is fantastic,” said Jones, “but every one of these federal grants, they require local match.”
The RTC has faced several funding drawbacks since the pandemic. A county fuel revenue index program, one of the RTC’s largest funding sources, is set to expire in less than three years. That program accounts for over $87 million of the agency’s funding for this fiscal year.
“And so without the local dollars, we can’t even go after these grants. So we have to fix our transit deficit issue.”
Maynard said finding a long-term, sustainable funding source is critical for the RTC.
“We are going to have to figure that out if we want to continue to improve the way we move people in Southern Nevada,” said Maynard. “And there’s a cost to that.”
Guests: M.J. Maynard, CEO, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada; Justin Jones, Clark County Commissioner
