Study area spans 31 square miles and includes a significant number of historically disadvantaged communities

Click to Tweet: #RTCSNV is receiving $630k from @FTA_DOT to study sustainable, equitable transit and mobility infrastructure in areas of persistent poverty

LAS VEGAS – The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is the recipient of a $630,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Areas of Persistent Poverty program to study the development of sustainable, equitable transit and mobility infrastructure in a 31-square-mile area that encompasses downtown Las Vegas, the Historic Westside, East Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas.

Within the study area, the Equitable Access to Mobility Action Plan will identity:

• locations for neighborhood mobility hubs, which bring together different modes of transportation and mobility options like RTC transit, on-demand services, bike share, and car share, in addition to promoting community and economic development opportunities;
• improvements to transit amenities such as better-designed transit stops and shelters that provide additional seating, safety features, and shade; and
• complete street improvements, such as wider sidewalks, dedicated bus/bike lanes, safer crosswalks, shade and native landscaping.

The Plan will also include conceptual design options, quantitative benefits to the community, and implementation strategies that follow equity and social justice foundational practices.

“This funding will help the RTC identify and prioritize mobility infrastructure improvements in a part of the valley that is traditionally underserved,” said RTC CEO M.J. Maynard. “We appreciate our federal delegation’s support in securing this funding that will lay the foundation for a safer and more equitable transportation experience in Southern Nevada.”

The study area has an estimated population of more than 220,000 residents and includes a significant number of historically disadvantaged communities.

In recent years, the RTC has identified possible solutions to address challenges and help build momentum for implementation within the Equitable Access to Mobility Action Plan study area.

The Southern Nevada HOPE Grant Study analyzed the potential for adding flexible, on-demand transit services, like the current RTC-OnDemand program, for low-income populations underserved by traditional public transit. With a goal to improve access to jobs, community services and healthy food, the study area included the entire Las Vegas metro area and identified nine potential on-demand transit zones that cover many areas of persistent poverty.

The Southern Nevada 2021 Extreme Heat Vulnerability Analysis identified areas in the region where populations are most vulnerable to heat. The RTC surveyed transit riders in 2022 to better understand how heat impacts their public transit experience and what measures would most improve their experience. The 2022 Southern Nevada Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign engaged residents across the valley and resulted in a heat map that identified which neighborhoods are hottest in the region.

This funding for the Equitable Access to Mobility Action Plan provides the RTC with an opportunity to implement the strategies identified in these previous studies, assisting areas of the region that experience greater levels of extreme heat and are home to some of the region's most vulnerable populations.

About the RTC
The RTC is the regional authority overseeing public transit, metropolitan planning, roadway funding, traffic management, and the public bike share system. The RTC’s vision is to advance regionally transformative mobility solutions through equitable, innovative and sustainable infrastructure development. The RTC’s mission is to elevate quality of life for residents and visitors through sustainable planning, collaborative problem-solving, and safety and equitable transportation service. For more information about the RTC and our major initiatives or to download the rideRTC app, visit rtcsnv.com. Stay informed by subscribing to our blog or following us on social media.

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