RTC Washoe outlines North Valleys transit, road and safety projects and recent federal grants

Paul Nelson, government affairs officer for RTC Washoe, presented transit, planning and engineering updates to the Neighborhood Advisory Board on Thursday, saying the agency has recorded more than three years of consecutive ridership gains and secured federal funding to modernize its fleet.

Nelson said RTC is on a “winning streak” with about 37–38 straight months of ridership growth and roughly 6,000,000 trips in the last 12 months. He told the board that the Federal Transit Administration had awarded a $21.5 million discretionary grant to purchase 19 diesel‑hybrid buses, which RTC plans to use to retire shorter‑range electric buses whose manufacturer has gone bankrupt and caused parts‑supply problems.

Why it matters: Nelson said the new buses and planned road projects aim to improve reliability and capacity for 60% work trips and for routes with heavy weekday demand. The agency emphasized projects meant to expand travel choices, reduce congestion and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety in the growing North Valleys area.

Major projects and programs described

- Fleet and service: Nelson said nearly all 40‑foot buses will be diesel‑hybrid, with eight hydrogen fuel‑cell buses acquired through two…