The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is installing 105 new bus shelters across 39 routes to offer riders better protection from extreme summer heat. The shelters feature seating on opposing sides so passengers can access shade regardless of the sun's position, along with enhanced lighting and solar panels.
The $1.35 million project is funded by federal dollars secured by Nevada's congressional delegation, including Rep. Dina Titus, Rep. Susie Lee, Rep. Steven Horsford, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Sen. Jacky Rosen. Titus said at a news conference last week that 42 of the shelters will be placed in her district in the heart of the valley.
The design came directly from an RTC Extreme Heat and Public Transit Survey that drew 1,300 responses. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they felt the effects of extreme heat most while waiting for a bus, and 88 percent reported walking to their stops. RTC CEO MJ Maynard-Carey said the agency heard that feedback and responded.
UNLV freshman Caleb Jackson, who rides the bus daily from the northeast valley, said the shelters will provide a more lit and safer environment for daily commuters. Cortez Masto said the project makes transit easier and more appealing, especially for seniors, students and veterans who rely heavily on the system.
The shelters will be prioritized for stops along high-ridership routes and in neighborhoods most vulnerable to extreme heat. Installation is expected to be complete by summer 2028.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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