More on Washoe RTC Cuts

RGJ today has more on the service cuts RTC is considering. 

From RTC’s web page about the cuts:

• Reduce peak hour frequency:
  Weekdays:  RT 1, 13, 16
  Saturday:  RT 1, 5, 13
• Reduce midday frequency:
  Weekdays:  RT 1, 6, 9, 13, 16
  Saturday:  RT 1, 5, 11, 15, 21
• Drop midday service:
  Weekdays:  RT 2s, 3CC, 57
  Saturday:  RT 25, 57
  Sunday:  RT 4, 13, 57
• Discontinue service:
  Weekdays:  RT 14A, 19
  Saturday:  RT 2s, 3CC, 14A, 19
  Sunday:  RT 2s
• Additional reductions:
  RT 3CC – drop last trip, weekdays
  RT 5 – drop last trip, Saturday
  RT 18 – drop 1 peak trip, cut evening, but run late night, weekdays
• RTC ACCESS possible service reduction and fee increases
• Would more than double the RTC ACCESS fare from $1.75 to $4.00

There will be a public hearing on Thursday, February 12 at RTC Administrative Offices, at 2050 Villanova Drive (under the US 395 Freeway next to Wooster High) at no earlier than 9:05 am (whatever that means.)

For what it’s worth, RTC’s new 4th Street Station project is a $37Mil project.  There is clearly some work they can do around efficiency of service – definitely eliminate the useless #19 for example.  But the RTC is looking at a funding shortfall of $6.7Mil, at the same time they are about to undertake a $37Mil capital project.  They should delay 4th Street Station until sales tax revenues begin to improve, and borrow from 4th Street Station funds to minimize the service cuts.

Comments

[Randall]

I know that saying what I'm about to say, some of you will be turned off, but here goes.
Why are transit centers needed at all? Coming from the Bay Area, there were no transit centers. Why not arrange the routes based on the prevailing major arteries with transfer points, like a route that continuously circles the McCarren loop, one that runs the Virginia Street corridor from Cold Springs to Washoe Valley (Carson City?) and another that runs the Fourth Street corridor from Verdi to the Reno-Tahoe Industrial Park, along with some feeder routes.
I recently checked the RTC website to see what it would be like to take the bus from east Sparks to the UNR campus area. I found out that it would take an hour and twenty minutes and three different buses (two transit centers, as well!). However, if a bus route ran on the McCarren loop, depending on intervals between buses, it could be much shorter timewise and a reasonable option to driving.
I think the transit centers are a waste of money and cause inefficiency.

[Ken]

Hey Randall, I agree. One thing most big cities have however is a street or two in their downtown area on which just about every bus route in the system (or in a given part of the system) runs. I would really like to see a hail mary pass from the RTC on the bus problem. I fear we won't see that any time soon though.