Your Safety, Our Mission
RTC Transit connects tens of thousands of residents in our community to jobs, school, medical appointments and more, while transporting millions of visitors up and down the Las Vegas Strip. Last year, alone, we made nearly 50 million passenger trips.
Making these connections safe remains our top priority. As an agency, our goal is to be transparent about our security operations by providing information on the steps that are being taken to better protect RTC customers and operators.
As public safety concerns have increased in recent years, the RTC has engaged with riders, drivers, security officers, and our community to develop a comprehensive, multi-prong approach to making transit safer in Southern Nevada. This ongoing approach to safety includes a focus on continuous security data analysis, investment in security personnel and technology, strategic bus stop placement and lighting, education campaigns and partnerships.
What We're Doing to Improve Safety Every Day
Step on board with confidence! Our buses are equipped with state-of-the-art safety features and adhere to the highest industry standards. From well-maintained vehicles and well-lit bus stops to vigilant and trained drivers and security staff, we leave no stone unturned in ensuring your safety.
The RTC’s security operations are conducted by its contractor Marksman, which is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day tasks that ensure the safety and protection of customers, contractors, vendors, and employees; as well as RTC property and equipment.
- As of January 2024, there are 271 security officers and 7 administrative/management staff supporting the contract. The Contractor requires officers to take 48 hours of initial classroom training and 24 hours of on-the-job training.
- Marksman's current agreement with the RTC began July 1, 2020, with an annual budget procurement to provide additional funds for more officers in response to growing public safety concerns. The emergency procurement took effect July 1, 2023, with an annual budget of an additional $18-plus million, which added funding for 33 armed officers and doubled the number of mobile officers in dedicated security vehicles.
- As a result, since July 2023 there has been a 99.33% reduction in full eight-hour vacant positions, across the system. This has also helped reduce rover response time from 15 to 11 minutes.
We understand that technology is a key component to help monitor and respond to incidents in an efficient and timely manner. We are continually exploring new and emerging technology to enhance safety.
- Equipment Enhancements
Since 2020, location beacons have been utilized to identify officer locations throughout the system. In addition, body cameras and bullet proof vests have been deployed to all officers which have added a layer of protection for the officers and enhanced the public perception of their presence. Grant funding has also allowed the RTC to replace security surveillance at transit facilities.
- On-Board Cameras and Video Feeds
We have undertaken a camera improvement project that has been installed on all fixed route buses as of January 2024. The new equipment allows the fixed route services’ contractor, RTC staff, and local law enforcement the ability to access live camera feeds.
The improved technology has allowed for a strengthened partnership and better collaboration between the RTC and the LVMPD Fusion Center, which is a counterterrorism center in Southern Nevada that provides an information-sharing partnership among 17 agencies.
- Panic Button Pilot Project
A panic button that easily fits within a bus operator’s pocket was introduced as a pilot project in May 2023. This allows for quicker reporting and response times and was in response to drivers’ concerns about needing a quicker response if an incident happens while the bus is in motion or at a layover. The panic button is being rolled out in early 2024.
- Command Center
In 2020, we added staffing to our 24/7 command center and added features like GPS tracking and live incident reporting to aid in faster response times.
Your safety doesn't stop when you step off the bus. Our commitment extends to creating safe havens at every bus stop. Well-lit, monitored, and strategically located, our bus stops are designed with your security in mind. We understand that safety isn't just about the ride; it's about the entire transit experience.
- Shelter Lighting
Shelters with additional lighting to increase nighttime safety have been installed. Since 2019, we have installed more than 400 new shelters, and approximately 300 standalone solar-powered lights to increase safety for those waiting for their bus. We plan to install an additional 1,250 standalone lights across our system to increase safety.
- Shelter Placement
We have and will continue to push transit shelters back from the curb whenever we have the space and property rights. Since 2011 the RTC has spent more than 18 million to improve pedestrian safety.
- New Shelter Design
On sidewalks where space is limited, the RTC has installed 120 new slimline shelters that provide both lighting and shade. As more resources become available, the RTC will look to install additional slimline shelters.
Community Approach
Beyond the buses and bus stops, our commitment to safety extends into the heart of the communities we serve. Through educational initiatives, community outreach, and collaborative marketing efforts, we aim to foster a culture of safety that permeates every neighborhood we touch. Your safety is not just a priority for us – it's a shared responsibility we take to heart.
We have launched to let our community and transit riders know about the safety measures we have in place, our ongoing prioritization and expansion of safety programs, and how best to report incidents.
We invite our community to be part of the solution by reporting anything and everything they deem suspicious, and we want potential criminals and perpetrators to know that they will be seen and brought to justice. We’ve made the process easy by incorporating the Transit Watch feature into the rideRTC app.
As part of this new campaign, we will continue to reinforce the elements included in our transit Code of Conduct.
Investment in Our Future
Since 2015, we have spent more than $33 million on security services and safety upgrades throughout our transit system. We understand our work is far from complete, so we are continually working on new ways to improve safety for our customers.
Additional de-escalation training is being planned by the fixed route services contractor for drivers and security officers. Dispatch training is also on the horizon for both the fixed route services contractor and the security contractor. Research is ongoing by the RTC to evaluate whether safer enclosures for bus operators are currently available.
The RTC has publicly solicited for a contractor to carry out transit security services for the agency. The scope has been revised to include additional staffing requirements and the need for all field officers to be armed. Additionally, training requirements have increased and the contract provides both parties more flexibility through the service delivery period. The new contract is expected to begin on July 1, 2024.
Our Partners in Safety
Our transit system is part of our larger Southern Nevada community and as such, it faces the same issues that our entire community faces including homelessness and mental health. We continue to partner with our local agencies and law enforcement to supplement our security officers’ response when necessary and to provide support for victims of crimes.
As a result, the RTC has been able to develop new relationships with social service providers to better serve some of the system’s most vulnerable customers.
Safety by the Numbers
Last year (fiscal year 2023), we carried nearly 50 million passengers, a 21 percent increase in ridership year over year. At this same time, we had 201 total incidents which is a decrease of 12 percent; however, the severity of these incidents has worsened.
While the number of incidents may have decreased, we believe that one incident is one too many and we remain committed to evaluating our programs, processes and investments and working with our transit community to make every day safer.
Passenger-on-passenger assaults by fiscal year:
The RTC defines “assault” as the unlawful use of physical force or spitting upon the person of another.
- FY 2019: 126 assaults (1 to every 511,159 passengers)
- FY 2020: 179 assaults (1 to every 315,033 passengers)
- FY 2021: 153 assaults (1 to every 228,791 passengers)
- FY 2022: 195 assaults (1 to every 210,016 passengers)
- FY 2023: 166 assaults (1 to every 298,741 passengers)
Passenger-on-Operator assaults by fiscal year:
The RTC defines “assault” as the unlawful use of physical force or spitting upon the person of another.
- FY 2019: 36 assaults (1 to every 1,789,056 passengers)
- FY 2020: 42 assaults (1 to every 1,342,641 passengers)
- FY 2021: 38 assaults (1 to every 921,185 passengers)
- FY 2022: 32 assaults (1 to every 1,279,786 passengers)
- FY 2023: 35 assaults (1 to every 1,416,885 passengers)