Coronavirus Service Updates2022-06-07T09:18:12-07:00

RTC Service Updates on COVID-19

The RTC understands the essential role public transportation provides for Southern Nevada and is continuously working to help safeguard against the spread of COVID-19. This webpage is being updated as the RTC responds to the ongoing health crisis.

Latest RTC Update

APTA Health & Safety Commitment

We’re committed to keep Southern Nevada healthy and moving. That’s why we’ve joined the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health & Safety Commitments program. It’s the public transportation industry’s overarching pledge to riders that transit agencies are taking all the necessary measures to operate safely as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

APTA’s national program shows riders exactly what transit agencies are doing to help keep transit as safe as possible and slow the spread of COVID-19.  Under the partnership, we’re expected to commit to:

  • Following official guidance on safe riding practices from health experts and agencies.
  • Protecting riders through cleaning, disinfecting, and providing room for social distancing.
  • The use of face coverings by employees, contractors and riders.
  • Sharing information that will empower riders to make informed choices

    This is our promise to you – our riders. Our 14-point plan details our work to provide a clean and safe ride to your destination.

Online Data Dashboard 

To be transparent about how the pandemic is affecting RTC’s transit service, the agency has created an online data dashboard comprised of ridership numbers, vehicle on-time performance data, vehicle capacity updates and more information. The feature provides a comparison of current data to that before the pandemic. The information will be updated regularly as new information is available.

CLICK HERE to view the new data dashboard feature.

RTC's 14-Point Safety Plan

Our 14-Point Safety Plan details extensive actions that we are currently, or in process of, implementing. CLICK HERE or scroll down to view the complete document. 

14 Point Safety Plan

RTC Service Information Updates

Transit Service

  • Effective February 22,2022: Residential transit routes will be operating on a Saturday schedule on weekdays and Saturdays, until further notice. Please consult our routes & schedules page

Stay informed by subscribing to receive real-time transit alerts for the route(s) of your choice. We’ll send real-time, personalized route information straight to your phone for free

You can also monitor the RTC's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds.

Paratransit Service

The RTC is taking the following COVID-19 preventative actions, which will remain in place until further notice:

  • Effective Sunday, June 7, 2021: Paratransit customers will be required to pay fare. 
  • Effective Friday, April 3, 2021, RTC Paratransit service will no longer be door-to-door, but will instead consist of curbside service. Please note that it is the customer’s responsibility to plan to get from their home to the curb and then from the Paratransit vehicle to their destination. Customers can request door-to-door service when they book rides, which will include assistance from the customer’s home to the vehicle and then from the vehicle to the destination.

Attention Seniors / Silver STAR Riders

The RTC is expanding service hours on all 12 of its Silver STAR routes, and adding two temporary routes. These looped routes provide senior citizens with access to grocery stores, banks and more. Earlier starting times help riders take advantage of stores offering extended hours for senior citizens and those with underlying medical issues. Each Silver STAR vehicle can accommodate up to two wheelchairs at a time. For more information, call 702-228-7433.

Attention Ride On-Demand Clients

Given the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the RTC and Lyft are committed to the safety of both passengers and drivers. During your enrollment process for the Ride On-Demand Program, you agreed to adhere to both RTC and Lyft policies. Lyft has notified the RTC that, effective immediately, they will be requiring passengers to abide by specific COVID-19 pandemic policies. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO READ ABOUT LYFT’S NEW SAFETY PROCEDURES.

In-Person and Customer Service Facilities

RTC Call center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers are reminded that they can submit comments and/or questions via the RTC’s “Contact Us” webpage 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The RTC is committed to providing this essential service to the community, while ensuring the safety of customers, drivers, security guards and other staff members.

The RTC has crews thoroughly cleaning the bus floors, windows, interior rails and the driver's area and applying a disinfectant solution on every public transit vehicle each night. The hospital-grade solution will kill 99 percent of germs and viruses and is being applied with electrostatic dispensers that administer disinfectant on all surfaces on the interior of the vehicle.

The health and safety of our drivers and passengers are always our top priorities, and we are continuing to work closely with our contractors regarding the operations of the transit system during this pandemic.

As a public transportation agency supported by federal and local funds, the RTC has an obligation to make our service available to all members of our community. 

Public transportation is an essential service and our drivers are considered essential staff. In addition to implementing enhanced cleaning practices and disinfecting of buses, we have provided our drivers with gloves and hand sanitizer. With the increased demand for PPE across the country, the RTC is working with our contractors to assist with securing face masks and face shields for all drivers. We have already provided 1,500 masks – 500 each to Keolis fixed route and MV fixed route and paratransit contractors –and continue to seek sources for additional masks. In addition, we ordered 1,500 face shields to help ensure every driver has access to one.

Enclosures were already in place to provide a barrier between drivers and passengers. Additionally, drivers have been instructed not to handle any money or passes from riders.

In addition to state mandate, you are  required by federal mandate to wear a face mask while using our service and when on RTC property. Face masks must cover both the nose and mouth. Face coverings with slits/holes, scarves, ski masks and bandanas do not meet federal mandate standards. There are some exceptions to the mandate, including:

  • Individuals who cannot wear a face mask due to a medical condition or disability
  • Individuals who are unable to remove a face mask without assistance
  • Children 2 years of age or younger

Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding and/or removal. Individuals may also be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties, which would be imposed by federal officials and not the RTC or local law enforcement.

If you do not have a cloth face covering, there are easy ways to make one using inexpensive, common household items. Read instructions or watch a video tutorial to learn how to make your own face covering.

Keep yourself safe and stop the spread of viruses while in public settings

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently touched at work and home.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

This advice applies to all respiratory diseases, including the coronavirus. (Read more prevention tips from the CDC.)

If you have any questions about COVID-19. the Southern Nevada Health District has established a hotline. Call 702-759-4636 (INFO) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.

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