Nevada Leaders Push Federal Transit Authority to Let Las Vegas Have More Backup Buses

Nevada's congressional delegation is calling on the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) to raise the federal cap on spare buses to help Las Vegas meet its growing transportation demands. Currently, federal rules limit spare buses to 20% of a fleet, a threshold the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is struggling to maintain. Going over the cap jeopardizes federal funding utilization, and the FTA does not have a history of granting waivers for additional buses.

The RTC runs over 400 buses and is very reliant on federal funding.  The wear and tear from the extreme climate in Las Vegas, as well as routes running continuously 24 hours, will put excessive wear on the bus fleet. Large-scale tourism events, such as the Super Bowl, the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix & other conventions, greatly add to the demand for reliable transit service. With approximately 80% of local riders depending on public transportation for commuting, officials say maintaining operational reliability is critical, particularly during peak travel periods.

“Las Vegas, like many western cities, experiences extreme heat that accelerates bus wear and increases breakdown frequency, requiring more frequent maintenance to keep vehicles operational,” the letter states. “This puts significant strain on RTC's fleet, as insufficient spares can lead to service disruptions for the approximately 80 percent of Las Vegas riders who rely on transit for commuting to work.”

“Increasing the allowable spare ratio or providing greater flexibility would enable transit agencies like RTC of Southern Nevada to better maintain reliable, safe, and equitable service for their communities,” the letter reads.

The letter was signed by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, along with Representatives Dina Titus, Susie Lee, and Steven Horsford. The lawmakers stressed that a higher spare bus ratio is critical for maintaining safe and equitable service in the unique climate and tourism environment we find ourselves in Las Vegas. These changes are necessary to avoid service disruption for workers, tourists, and, eventually, economic disruptions for the city.