The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County has been busy in the last few weeks as it continues work on the Oddie Wells Project and working on improvements to its public transit system. The RTC is looking to redesign its transit routes to better serve its users, and is proposing to implement a few changes to the Sparks route system as soon as this coming May.
The Modified Sparks Service includes discontinuing Route 26 and replacing it with an adjusted Route 11 to extend west to the Walmart on 7th Street (via the Sky Mountain/Sky Valley loop) and east to McCarran Boulevard in Sparks; provide a connection to Route 4, the Sparks-Spanish Springs FlexRIDE, and the Somersett-Verdi FlexRIDE; and maintain a 30-minute service. Route 21 would also extend to the Northern Nevada Medical Center.
Enhanced senior services are also in the works, such as improving the CardONE loading process by allowing participants to automatically receive a $10 subsidy per taxi trip for up to six trips per month (as well as increase coverage for up to $10 per trip as part of its Washoe Uber Rides Program).
Other transit improvements proposed by the RTC include: adjustments to the Northwest Reno service; approving a reciprocal fare agreement with a transit system in Carson City; continuing to adjust timetables on routes to improve travel times and efficiency; and introducing a new transit mobile app allowing people to pay for their trip through their smartphone and see their bus’s location in real time.
The RTC began rolling out these recommendations in 2021 after receiving community and RTC Board input as part of its Transit Optimization Plan Strategies (TOPS) with a goal to improve transit in Washoe County. The RTC asks the community to review these recommendations as outlined on www.rtcwashoe.com and submit comments/provide feedback regarding the plan by February 23 via email or phone (mdulude@rtcwashoe.com or by calling 775-335-0019).
This is year two of the TOPS five-year improvement plan and these recommendations will keep coming as staffing and funding allow.
Mall Drive in Sparks Closed Through June
The RTC closed Mall Drive this past Monday, January 30, to allow for construction of the Oddie Wells Project. During this time, people who need to visit shops around Mall Drive will have to take detours via El Rancho Drive and Silverada Boulevard. Oddie Boulevard will be open to commuters in both directions.
Businesses along the corridor will remain open and accessible during this time, and the RTC encourages people to support them during construction. The Oddie Wells Project includes new lighting, ADA features, pedestrian ramps, bicycle facilities, and landscaping along Oddie and Wells boulevards to improve safety, mobility, and connectivity along the heavily used corridor. This four-phase construction project will hopefully be completed by fall of 2024.