RTC Helps Transit Riders Defeat the Heat This Summer With Chill Stations, Safety Campaign

With triple-digit temperatures this week, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is launching its annual Summer Heat campaign today to help transit riders defeat the heat by educating passengers about how to travel safely in extreme weather. A radio remote with partner KLUC 98.5 FM will launch the safety campaign Tuesday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) in downtown Las Vegas.

The campaign, which runs through August, includes distribution of bottled water donated by KLUC 98.5 FM, Dasani and Southern Nevada’s only food bank Three Square to be given to transit riders at the BTC, the South Strip Transit Terminal (SSTT) near McCarran International Airport and designated “chill stations” along select fixed-route stops with the highest ridership in the valley.

With the desert Southwest being one of the hottest regions in the country, the RTC reminds passengers to:

• Stay hydrated, and drink plenty of water
• Avoid direct sunlight, and minimize wait time at transit stops
• Use sunscreen, and be sure to reapply
• Dress appropriately with light clothing and wide-brimmed hats, and use umbrellas
• Download rideRTC on iPhone or Android for the latest information to plan a trip, buy a pass and find a bus

“Simple precautions can be taken to minimize the dangers of extreme heat, and we want to do our part to remind passengers about how they can ride transit safely,” said RTC General Manager Tina Quigley. “All it takes is a little planning ahead to defeat the heat.”

The RTC will promote the campaign at transit centers, select bus shelters, inside buses, and via social and news media outlets, in addition to support from sponsor KLUC 98.5 FM radio to distribute the bottled water.