About the Regional Transportation Commission

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is both the transit authority and the transportation-planning agency for Southern Nevada.  As the Las Vegas Valley’s population continues to increase daily, so too does traffic congestion and the RTC identifies transportation challenges and explores and implements both short and long-term resolutions while simultaneously promoting sustainability, air quality improvement, enhanced mobility and increased quality of life in the region. 

The regional government agency originated from a 1965 state statute and 16 years later, in 1981, the RTC was named the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Southern Nevada. As the region’s MPO, the agency is responsible to state and federal governments for maintaining a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (3-C) transportation planning process ensuring that transit plans and programs involve public input and recommendations and conform to approved air quality standards.

In 1983, state legislation deemed the agency capable of owning and operating a public mass transit system that today carries more than 64 million riders per year and expands as needed with careful planning to better serve the Las Vegas Valley. 

The MPO oversees the federally mandated transportation planning process for Southern Nevada and plans the Valley’s roadways and transit infrastructure to accommodate the demands of the region’s current population in addition to that of 50 years from now.  Included in the MPO planning process are projects that require state and federal funding.  Additionally, the RTC also manages distribution of funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Highway Trust Fund, the County Option Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax for regional, street and highway construction and county sales tax designated for transportation. 

The RTC provides mass transit that connects throughout Southern Nevada and administers programs that encourage sustainability, such as Club Ride Commuter Services that promotes walking, biking, carpooling, vanpooling and taking transit to and from work. 

Additional information about the RTC can be found by calling (702) 228-RIDE (7433).