RTC gets nearly $150 million for Maryland Parkway buses
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Faster bus service along a redesigned Maryland Parkway corridor got a big boost Monday with the announcement of a federal grant worth almost $150 million.
The funding will bring 15 hydrogen fuel cell-powered, 60-foot articulated buses to the project, which includes 7.2 miles of dedicated lanes. Reid International Airport, UNLV, the Boulevard Mall and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center are among the major destinations on Maryland Parkway’s bus route, which serves 9,000 riders each day.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “With dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal priority, and new hydrogen-powered buses, this project will deliver a cleaner, better, faster commute.”
Nevada’s congressional delegation, UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield and county government and transportation officials were on hand for a check presentation on Monday.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the $149.9 million grant to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). The grant was funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Overall, the “Bus Rapid Transit” service will decrease travel time by 20% compared to current service, according to the RTC. The traditional bus route takes more than an hour to run 20 miles.
The Maryland Parkway route connects with the Bonneville Transit Center and the South Strip Transit Terminal.
The RTC selected the Bus Rapid Transit design over other alternatives including light rail.
“This funding allows the purchase of clean buses and creates safer travel conditions thanks to wider sidewalks, enhanced transit shelters, and improved lighting,” U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev. posted on X. She noted that the project also includes shared bus-bike lanes, wider sidewalks and improvements to lighting and landscaping.”
The federal support for the estimated $378.1 million project comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.
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