RTC driver Russ Mansfield at the wheel of his RTC RAPID bus in downtown Reno, Nevada.
Photo © Stan White
While I'm a big fan and promoter of public transit, I'm admittedly not much of a user. I've got all the usual excuses - buses don't go where I need to go, there's no bus stop near my house, it's just too inconvenient. I'm starting to change my ways, however, after riding RTC RAPID, our new express bus service between the Meadowood Mall and downtown Reno. Since I frequent downtown Reno, it actually does go where I need to go. The Meadowood Mall is only a couple of miles from my house and there is plenty of free parking right next to the bus station. RAPID runs every 10 minutes all day, making it convenient to show up whenever you're ready to go. So much for all my excuses.
Shortly after I boarded the shiny clean green bus, driver Russ Mansfield pulled out and headed up Virginia Street. He whisked by all but six stops, arriving at the RTC CITICENTER terminal in 22 minutes. That's no longer than it takes me to drive, plus I don't have to hunt up a parking place and play meter roulette with the parking enforcement cops. Since the nature of my work requires me to sit for hours in front of a computer, I enjoy the chance to walk around and experience the city rather than being encapsulated in a car. The return trip was just as speedy and my car was waiting a few steps from the bus.
New 60-foot articulated diesel-electric hybrid buses will arrive in 2010 for use on the route. Once this new fleet is put into service and there's been time to work out the kinks, RTC RAPID should become an even more attractive alternative to driving yourself up and down Virginia Street.
Another new service, called RTC RAPID CONNECT, serves all stops on the same route, including those designated for RTC RAPID. This is the way to go if you need to get off or board at an intermediate point along the way.RTC RAPID will be funded by federal bucks for its first three years. For more information, call (775) 348-RIDE.
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