Washoe RTC outlines BRT and microtransit success; contracts WSP for commuter-rail feasibility study with private partners

Jim Gee, director of public transit at RTC Washoe, told the working group that Washoe County has experienced sustained ridership growth and relies on a mix of services — fixed-route buses, two bus-rapid-transit (BRT) spines and FlexRide microtransit zones — to serve different markets.

Gee said RTC Washoe recorded about 5.8 million trips last year and has invested in a mixed fleet including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. He described the BRT spines (Virginia and Lincoln lines) as high-frequency backbones and noted a goal of increasing ridership by offering reliable, frequent service. Gee also emphasized access services required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and several special programs such as taxi-stipend and vanpool programs.

On regional rail, Gee said RTC Washoe has contracted WSP to conduct a commuter-rail feasibility study to assess use of existing Union Pacific tracks between downtown Reno, downtown Sparks and the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TriCenter). He said the study has been supported by a public–private partnership that included NDOT, Panasonic and Tesla and that the committee should expect further details in future meetings.

Members asked about coordination with private employers for last-mile connections and about collaborative planning across adjacent regions; John Hester and others offered to work with RTC Washoe on interregional connectivity with the Tahoe Basin and TRIC sites.

Gee closed by offering to return with more detailed results from the commuter-rail study and other RTC Washoe analyses at subsequent meetings.