The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), county, city and business leaders today gathered to celebrate the introduction of a new transit route — 121 (Durango / Buffalo) — in the southwest valley, as well as system-wide changes that add 60,000 hours of service to the existing transit system.
A ceremony was held at Desert Breeze Park & Community Center, a popular destination along the new 13-mile transit route. Service on Route 121 will run every 30 minutes during weekday daytime hours, and the new line launches on Sunday, Nov. 8.
“This is another milestone event for our transit service,” said Clark County Commissioner Larry Brown, who chairs the RTC. “It is the second route we have introduced in the general area since last year, which speaks to customer demand for transit service, as well as our continued focus to provide transportation options and mobility for residents to get to where they need to go.”
Brown was joined by Debra March, RTC vice chair and Henderson mayor pro-tem; Carolyn Goodman, RTC board member and mayor of the city of Las Vegas; Susan Brager, Clark County Commissioner; Joseph Roth, public affairs manager for IKEA; and Michelle Johnston, clinical director at U.S. VETS – Las Vegas. The Cimarron-Memorial High School ROTC and drum line ushered in speakers and guests to the stage. As part of the festivities, an artist put the finishing touches on a mural that will be featured on a new bus shelter installed on the route.
Southwest Las Vegas is experiencing significant growth, with new housing communities and increased business development. With the addition of Route 121, thousands more residents and employees will have access to convenient transit service.
“This route passes by nearly a dozen shopping centers, a wide variety of restaurants, medical facilities and other services, including this great park that so many use year-round,” said Brager. “Providing transit service here is a major benefit to my district, and the every half-hour frequency underscores the commitment the RTC has to serving residents.”
“Businesses small and large benefit from and welcome public transit access to their front doors,” added March. “When you increase public transportation, you offer greater accessibility and bring more people into an area, enabling businesses to increase their return on their investment.”
Goodman highlighted how the new route and adjustments to other routes in the area will assist experienced transit riders and a demographic of Las Vegans who will grow up using public transportation.
“A whole new generation is demanding alternative forms of transportation,” said Goodman. “It doesn’t matter where they live — single-family homes, condominiums or apartments. They want options for getting to work, to visit friends and family, to shop, dine and for other services. This new route 121, coupled with Routes 120 and 212 in the southwest valley, makes getting around easier for more than 150,000 residents.”
Substantial development is occurring on the south end of the new route where IKEA, the home furnishings store and event sponsor, is under construction. The area around IKEA, along Durango Drive and the 215 Beltway, is also the location several new residential developments and retail centers.
Joseph Roth, public affairs manager for IKEA, which will employ 300 Las Vegans when it opens in summer 2016, said that public transportation access is critical to how the company chooses its next location.
“It is a global direction of ours to integrate public transit into the siting of new stores in order to be accessible for the community,” said Roth. “While we clearly chose a great location for our store, its accessibility will be greatly enhanced by Route 121. For that, we are appreciative of the RTC’s progressive approach to transit and smart community planning.”
With the launch of the new Route 121, major modifications were made to nearby Route 120 (Fort Apache / Buffalo), which started service in early 2014 and quickly exceeded RTC productivity expectations. Route 120 also will run on a 30-minute frequency beginning Nov. 8, which is twice the current timing to meet customer demand. Another service enhancement is the extension of Route 212 (Sunset) westward into the area, creating the first east-west transit connection between Henderson and the southwestern Beltway.
RTC Transit’s system-wide service changes, which go into effect Nov. 8, affect 24 routes and add a total of 60,000 service hours, increasing frequency on many routes and expanding service. Route 121 alone connects to 13 other routes. For details on the changes, visit www.rtcsnv.com.
Dignitaries also recognized active military service members and veterans in advance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The new route expands ridership opportunities for all residents in the area, including veterans, who can ride RTC Transit on reduced-fare passes.
