Demand for bus service grows even as fare revenue plummets

Growth in population and job density in Southern Nevada has lead to an “immediate” need for several new bus routes and expansions, say transportation officials, but a lack of funding and plummeting revenue is holding back any improvements.

“Three of the four fastest growing ZIP codes in the valley currently have absolutely no transit service, zero access,” said Jacob Simmons, senior principal transit operations planner for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC).

The four fastest-growing ZIP codes in Southern Nevada from 2014 to 2018 were 89179, 89148, 89166 and 89141. Of those, only 89148 is partially served by transit currently. The most populated portions of these ZIP codes range from about 1.5 to 3.5 miles from the nearest transit route, leaving large, densely populated pockets throughout the valley without transit.

Areas around the M resort, Blue Diamond Road, and master planned communities like Mountains Edge, Providence, Sky Cannon and Cliff Shadows all completely lack even basic transit service, said Simmons.

Read more: https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2019/10/09/demand-for-bus-service-grows-even-as-fare-revenue-plummets/