RTC NEWS — The Regional Transportation Commission regretfully has discontinued its weekend and holiday bus service between Reno and Sand Harbor State Park at Lake Tahoe earlier than anticipated. The service launched on May 24th as a demonstration project and was originally slated to continue through Labor Day. However, steep mountainous terrain and the intense summer heat are causing substantial wear and tear on the buses.
The fleet of buses is maintained regularly and safety is the RTC’s top priority. Maintenance crews discovered the brake and fluid systems on several buses were overheating, which required frequent repairs and replacement of parts. In order to maintain the highest safety standards at all times, continuing the service was no longer feasible.
Since debuting, the Sand Harbor service helped connect more than 950 riders with recreational opportunities. While a significant amount, the demand was less than anticipated and unable to sustain the service. The cost per passenger was the highest among RTC transit services. The service was a demonstration project possible as a result of federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. The remaining federal funds will be reprogrammed for another transit project in the future.