RTC Transit


RTC Transit is the name of the bus system in the Las Vegas metropolitan area of Clark County, Nevada. It is a subsidiary of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. While it services most of Clark County with regularly scheduled routes, most of the service is in the immediate Las Vegas Valley; outlying places such as Mesquite and Laughlin provide transit services to their residents via the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition, which uses several vehicles acquired from RTC Transit.

History

Las Vegas Transit

The privately owned Las Vegas Transit System, Inc. provided bus service on the streets of Las Vegas for more than 40 years. LVT service mainly consisted of loop routes that made many turns throughout the city, sometimes doubling back on its own routes and making several "subloops" within a loop. At one point, LVT was named America's worst transit system.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada was formed in 1965 by state legislation to oversee federally-mandated transportation planning in Clark County. Under pressure by the county and state, and by order of the state court, the company was ordered to cease operations except on Route 6-The Strip and relinquish all its city-owned buses to the Regional Transportation Commission of Clark County as of November 15, 1992. LVT and its successors continued to operate service in competition with CAT until about 2005.

Citizens Area Transit era (1992–2008)

Citizens Area Transit was formed by the RTC to provide reliable bus service to the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Las Vegas Township, Mesquite, and Laughlin. The system began on November 15, 1992 under the direction of Kurt Weinrich, its general manager. Initially the old LVT routes were operated unchanged except for route 6-The Strip, which LVT still retained. The system was totally reconfigured and Strip service begun December 5, 1992. The fleet consisted of mostly old vehicles such as Flxible Grummans, GMC RTSs, TMC RTSs and Gillig Phantoms. They had also purchased 90 new New Flyer D40HFs. The initial route structure was soon seen as deficient and second complete revision was made in June on 1993. Soon after, CAT began to catch on with the city and blossomed. In 1997, the American Public Transportation Association awarded CAT with their highest honor, Best Transit System in America. However, things began to change in the following years. In 2002, The Amalgamated Transit Union and the bus contractor, ATC, began contract renewal negotiations, but the two sides were unable to reach a compromise on operators' wages and in May of that year, CAT suffered its first strike. Several drivers walked off the job and onto the picket lines, and service had to be suspended on several routes. Coach operators from sister agencies were called in to drive the buses and serve the city before a settlement was reached.
In 2004, CAT received its first shipment of 10 bus rapid transit vehicles from Irisbus. These buses served on the new Metropolitan Area Express route, which serves Nellis Air Force Base via North Las Vegas Boulevard. RTC was a member of the BRT Consortium organized by the Federal Transit Administration in 1999. North Las Vegas Boulevard had been restriped in spring 2000, which converted what had been a breakdown lane into a dedicated transit lane; RTC subsequently applied for a federal grant in 2002 under the Bus Rapid Transit Initiative. The Civis featured an optical guidance system to automate docking at level-boarding platforms, similar to a light-rail system; however, the OGS proved to be unreliable in service due to the difficulty of maintaining pavement markings. Revenue service on MAX started on June 30, 2004; ridership increased by 25% by the end of 2004, and end-to-end travel times were cut approximately in half, from 50 to 25 minutes.
A year later, CAT received its first shipment of 50 double decker buses from Alexander Dennis. As new vehicles arrived, the RTC started a vehicle replacement program and began to retire its older CAT fleet. In March 2007, CAT received its first shipment of 30 Diesel-Electric Hybrid vehicles from New Flyer. Later that year, an additional 40 double deck vehicles from Alexander Dennis arrived, and the RTC unveiled a new rapid transit system which uses the new Diesel-Hybrid RTV Streetcar from Wright Group. The first line was called the "Gold Line", which serviced the downtown and strip corridors.

RTC Transit era (present)

In late 2007, the RTC began to rebrand the Citizens Area Transit system as RTC Transit. The New Flyer 900 series coaches were the last to be purchased with the CAT logo, and the first to be purchased with the RTC logo. The CAT bus stop signs around the city were replaced by "Transit Stop" signs using the RTC logo. All rider alerts, bus announcements, bus books, and new NABI Hybrid, NABI Diesel and New Flyer CNG buses no longer use the CAT logo.
The RTC received 50 NABI vehicles and the final shipment of 40 42 ft "Deuce" double-deck buses in summer 2008. The RTC also began to receive 45 New Flyer CNG vehicles in late fall 2008. The rebranding was completed on January 1, 2009 when RTC vehicles started featuring "RTC TRANSIT" along with the normal route destination headers. All remaining CAT buses are in the process of retirement or being refurbished to the new RTC gold/blue livery.
In 2007, nine RTC executives received pay raises which averaged 22%. The raises were based on the findings of a consultant, Peter Ronza, who was once employed by Clark County.
The RTC faced serious legal issues in 2008 after several car accidents involving bus shelters occurred. The public demanded that the RTC improve the safety of its shelters, while the RTC stated that there was only so much they could do. The RTC created a Bus Shelter Advisory Committee, and made studies concerning bus stop safety.
In 2009, the RTC raised bus fares despite public outcry. In 2009 and 2010, proposed bus fares increased from 62% for monthly passes to 100% for full day fare passes. The RTC argued that the fare hikes were due to higher fuel costs, however the largest increase in transit expenditures came from a tripling in capital outlays, rising from $54.5 million in 2007 to $162.9 million in 2009. The price for thirty-day bus passes increased 225% from 1999 to 2010. Ridership was at an all-time high in 2008 due to the very high gas prices, with many people deciding to try transit instead. Ridership numbers declined in 2009 when fuel prices dropped back to reasonable levels, and riders either returned to their own vehicles or began carpooling with co-workers and family.
In January 2010, RTC introduced the ACE branding for its bus rapid transit offerings. The first ACE route was the ACE Gold Line, connecting downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Strip, and the South Strip Transfer Terminal. In addition, ACExpress was introduced as branding for its express bus service, with an express bus line connecting the Centennial Hills neighborhood northwest of the city with downtown Las Vegas, the Center Strip, and UNLV. In May 2010, RTC rebranded its lines away from the "ACE" name due to a lawsuit from Ace Cab, a local Las Vegas taxi operator; ACE Gold became the Strip and Downtown Express ; ACExpress became Centennial Express, and ACE Green became the Boulder Highway Express
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, under its BRT Standard, has classified the Strip and Downtown Express as a "Basic BRT" corridor.

Future

In 2018, RTC began examining the possibility of installing light rail or enhanced bus rapid transit service along high-ridership routes, particularly the Maryland Parkway corridor.

Operations

The RTC currently operates 41 routes with 12 routes operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including The Deuce on The Strip. Most routes run from early morning until late night. On weekends & holidays, some routes either operate less frequently, operate with less hours, or not operate at all. Las Vegas has one of the most comprehensive night bus networks in the United States, owing to the 24-hour nature of the casinos and hospitality industry.
RTC Transit is the largest outsourced transit operation in the United States, having overtaken the title from the now-defunct Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Long Island Bus service in late 2011. As of 2011, the contract is worth approximately $600 million over seven years. The fixed route system had been operated by Veolia Transport and its predecessors, ATC-Vancom and National Express, since inception. Bus operators, mechanics, and most other contractor employees are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1637. Paratransit and dial-a-ride services are operated by First Transit.
The fixed route contract was scheduled to expire September 25, 2011, and was awarded to First Transit, the apparent low bidder and highest scorer on the comprehensive review, however, Veolia has complained to the RTC board of bidding irregularities in the First Transit bid as well as an unfair emphasis on price in comparison to other technical factors. The RTC board approved the First Transit bid on a 4-3 vote, but after the Nevada Attorney General reprimanded the RTC for approving the contract without a majority of the eight members on the RTC board, which was determined by a district court judge that all 8 members were not required and the award was legitimate. However, in the fallout of the court decision, the RTC returned for a re-vote in which the board then deadlocked at 4-4 for multiple months. The RTC board decided that it was best to cancel the award and bring forward a new fresh proposal for bid, and gave Veolia a 1-year extension while the board found a means to obtain a majority to make a decision. First Transit subsequently sued the RTC to force them to make a decision.
In November 2011 First Transit and the RTC settled their lawsuit. First Transit continued to operate the paratransit system and Veolia continued to operate the fixed route bus system until the end of 2012. The new fixed route transit contract will be split into two, to allow smaller vendors to bid. The two contract system is similar to that of Foothill Transit in the Los Angeles area, which is the third largest outsourced fixed route public transit system in the United States.
In December 2012, the contractors for both yards submitted their 1st round proposals with Veolia, Keolis, and MV Transportation advancing to round 2 and First Transit failing to advance. In January 2013, the remaining contractors submitted their final proposals to the board, and on February 14, 2013, the RTC voted to award the Sunset Maintenance Facility to Keolis, and the Simmons Maintenance Facility to MV, beating out the original two contractors. Keolis and MV began operations of RTC Transit on July 7, 2013 at 12:00am.
MV operates routes 101, 102, 105, 106, 110, 111, 113, 115, 120, 121, 203, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 214, 215, 218, 219, 603, 604, 607, CX, WAX, & DVX. These routes are primarily in the northern portion of the service area. MV also operates the 700 series routes. Keolis operates routes 103, 104, 108, 109, 117, 119, 122, 201, 202, 212, 217, 601, 602, 605, 606, 608, The Deuce on The Strip, SDX, BHX, SX, & HDX. These routes are primarily in the southern portion of the service area. MV also operates RTC Paratransit operations as of March 2020.

Service area

RTC Transit operates a grid-type system within the Las Vegas Valley, which includes the four incorporated cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City; in addition, the remaining service area is in unincorporated Clark County under the Las Vegas Township, which includes Enterprise, Paradise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, Whitney and Winchester. The system's three busiest routes, The Deuce on The Strip, Strip & Downtown Express, and Route 109 Maryland Parkway, provide service to the Las Vegas Strip and McCarran International Airport, respectively. Approximately 40% of Clark County residents do not live within close proximity of a bus stop.
RTC Transit also operates special routes for occasions such as sporting events at Sam Boyd Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, and Las Vegas Ballpark.

Route numbers

Even though all buses in the system have wheelchair lifts, RTC operates RTC Paratransit for people who have difficulty in accessing the regular transit system. By-appointment-only paratransit is a door-to-door service. RTC also maintains an open charge account with a local taxicab company to service paratransit ridership when unforeseen delays occur, frequently caused by traffic congestion.

Fares

The RTC raised its fares in 2009 instead of cutting service, blaming higher fuel costs experienced in 2008 and decreased sales tax revenues. With ridership falling some in 2009, together with the loss in revenue from both the fare box recovery and the state sales tax, the RTC raised fares for a second time. In 2010, the RTC approved another rate hike for the premium service routes only which became effective on January 10, 2010. In 2011, the RTC eliminated purchasing reduced fare passes on The Deuce on The Strip & Strip & Downtown Express due to fares being already discounted for locals which became effective on September 11, 2011. Residential 3 day passes were eliminated on September 18, 2011 due to low volume of sales. Residential 5-day passes were eliminated on September 30, 2012 to favor the new 15-day pass. In 2013, the RTC implemented a college pass program, called UPass, with University of Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada State College, & College Of Southern Nevada exclusively for the students, faculty, & staff. In 2016, the RTC restored reduced fare options to The Deuce on The Strip & Strip & Downtown Express which became effective November 06, 2016.
Fares effective as of November 06, 2016

Fixed routes

U-Pass: UNLV, NSC, & CSN Student, Faculty, & Staff

Purchased through campus bookstore; provides a 50% discount on monthly passes and a 68% discount on semester passes. Valid on all routes.
Fare TypeRegular
Monthly Pass:$32.50
Semester Pass:$104

Paratransit

Door-to-door service for riders who are unable to use the fixed-route system.
Fares effective as of July 1, 2013:
Fare TypeRegular
Single Ride $3
4 Single Ride Coupon Booklet$12
10 Single Ride Coupon Booklet$30
22 Single Rides$40
46 Single Rides$80
Personal Care AttendantFREE

;Notes

Equipment

RTC currently operates mainly New Flyer, Alexander Dennis and Wright StreetCar RTV coaches for fixed routes, and mainly Ford Econoline vans for paratransit.
On October 27, 2005, CAT added a fleet of double decker buses on The Strip Route. The route is now called The Deuce.

Active

All buses are fully ADA compliant and are wide.
Fleet #
YearModelImageLengthFuel typeEngine/
Transmission		FareboxHeadsignYard/Comments
011; 013-061
2008-2009Wright StreetCar RTV62ftDiesel-electric
  • Cummins ISL 8.9L
  • Allison EP50 Gen-IV Parallel
SPX Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Sunset
  • These are the only Streetcar coaches in the United States. Average price per vehicle is $1,300,000.
  • A012/012 never existed.
  • Coaches were originally numbered A011; A013-A061.
  • Various units used for parts.
    • 151-153; 155-191
    		2008Alexander Dennis Enviro50042ftDiesel
  • Cummins ISM 10.8L
  • ZF Ecomat 4 6HP604C
    		• GFI Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Sunset
  • 154 renumbered to 191 after March 25, 2017 strip shooting.
    • 350-379
    		2013New Flyer C40LFR40ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G 8.9L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-V
    		• SPX Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Simmons
    • 830-844
    		2013New Flyer XN6060ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B500R6 Gen-V
    		• SPX Genfare OdysseyHanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
    • 845-865
    		2014New Flyer XN6060ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B500R6 Gen-V
    		• SPX Genfare OdysseyHanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 845-857 at Sunset
  • 858-865 at Simmons
    • 15601-15635
    		2015New Flyer XN4040ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 15601-15625 at Simmons
  • 15626-15635 at Sunset
    • 15701-15720
    		2015New Flyer XN6060ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B500R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 15701-15711 at Sunset
  • 15712-15720 at Simmons
    • 16601-16630
    		2016New Flyer XN4040ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 16601-16621 at Simmons
  • 16622-16630 at Sunset
    • 16701-16725
    		2016New Flyer XN6060ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B500R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 16701-16717 at Sunset
  • 16718-16725 at Simmons
    • 17601-17635
    		2017New Flyer XN4040ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 17601-17624 at Sunset
  • 17625-17635 at Simmons
    • 17701-17720
    		2017New Flyer XN6060ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G EPA 2013 9.0L
  • Allison B500R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Simmons
    • 18601-18615
    		2018New Flyer XN4040ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport L9N EPA 2017 9.0L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 18601-18610 at Simmons
  • 18611-18615 at Sunset
    • 18701-18740
    		2018New Flyer XN6060ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport L9N EPA 2017 9.0L
  • Allison B500R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare
    Fast Fare    		Hanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 18701-18737 at Simmons
  • 18738-18740 at Sunset
    • 19601-19620
    		2019New Flyer XN4040ftCNG
  • Cummings-Westport L9N EPA 2017 9.0L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare Fast FareHanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 19601-19613 at Sunset
  • 19614-19620 at Simmons
    • 19701-19715
    		2019New Flyer XN6060ftCNG
  • Cummings-Westport L9N EPA 2017 9.0L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-V
    		• Genfare Fast FareHanover Systems Eric+
  • Sunset

    • On Order

    All vehicles will be wheelchair accessible.
    Fleet #
    		YearModelLengthFuel typeEngine/
    Transmission    		FareboxHeadsignYard/Comments
    2 buses2022TBDTBDHydrogen Fuel CellTBD
    		TBDTBDTBD

  • Paratransit fleet

    Retired

    All vehicles were wheelchair accessible.
    Fleet #
    		YearModelImageLengthFuel typeEngine/
    Transmission    		FareboxHeadsignFormer YardComments
    101-105
    		1981GMC RTS T8J20440ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison V730
    		Luminator
  • Tompkins
  • Former LVTS 4521-4525
    • 101-141
    		2007Alexander Dennis Enviro50040ftDiesel
  • Cummins ISM 10.8L
  • ZF Ecomat 2 6HP602
    		• GFI Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Sunset
  • Simmons
  • 101, 102, 104, 107, 109, 110, 113-141 at Sunset
  • 103, 105, 106, 108, 111, 112 at Simmons
  • 101, 102 & 128 currently used as training buses.
  • All units retired from revenue service by mid-June 2020.
    • 1501983GMC RTS T8J20440ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison V730
    		Luminator
  • Tompkins
  • Originally Southwest Coaches 148
  • Former LVTS 4401
    • 151-1521984GMC RTS T8J20440ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison V730
    		Luminator
  • Tompkins
  • Originally Southwest Coaches 102-103
  • Former LVTS 4402-4403
    • 153-1541992TMC RTS40ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison V730
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator
    • Tompkins
    • Simmons
  • Former LVTS 4301-4302
  • 154 retired in 2006.
    • 201-2081981Grumman Flxible 87040ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison V730
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator
    • Tompkins
  • Former SCCTD 1646, 1679, 1695, 1715, 1768, 1800, 1804, 1809.
    • 200-249 2005Alexander Dennis Enviro50040ftDiesel
    • Cummins M11E CELECT Plus 10.8L
    • Voith D864.3E
    • ZF Ecomat 2 6HP602
    		GFI Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Simmons
  • These are the first double-deckers to be used for fixed route service in Las Vegas.
  • 224 retired, involved in a crash on July 19, 2006.
    • 250-2611982Grumman Flxible 87040ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison V730
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator
    • Tompkins
  • Former LVTS 4601-4612.
    • 301-3131990Gillig Phantom40ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison HT-748
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator
    • Tompkins
  • Former LVTS 4701-4713.
  • 301, 305, 309, 310, 311, 312 donated to SNTC. Retired from SNTC in 2009.
    • 300-344
    		2008New Flyer C40LFR40ftCNG
  • Cummins-Westport ISL-G 8.9L
  • Allison B400R6 Gen-IV
    		• GFI Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Simmons
  • 304 bought by MV, converted into a mobile transit information center, then donated back to RTC.
    • 351-3701997ElDorado National
    Transmark RE    		33ftDieselGFI Genfare
    CENTSaBILL    		Luminator MAX 3000
    • Simmons
  • Retired due to small capacity in 2007.
    • 380-3991998New Flyer D40LF40ftDieselLuminator MAX 3000
    • Rejected & acquired by LACMTA & became 3000-3019. They've since been retired.
    401-4901992New Flyer D40HF40ftDiesel
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator
    • Tompkins
    • Simmons
  • Repowered from Detroit Diesel 6V92TA engines.
    • 500-5031991New Flyer D60HF60ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel 6V92TA
    • Allison HTB-748
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator
    • Tompkins
    • Simmons
  • Former LVTS 6101-6104
  • 500 destroyed due to fire.
  • 501-503 bought by ABC Companies in Florida early 2009.
    • 504-5092002Neoplan AN460L60ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B500R6
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator MAX 3000
    • Sunset
  • Entire series retired due to cracked suspension frame in 2013.
    • 510-5171995New Flyer D60HF60ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B500R
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator Mega:MAX
    • Simmons
    520-5251996New Flyer D60HF60ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B500R4
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator Mega:MAX
    • Simmons
    530-5641997NABI 436.08VA60ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B500R5
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator MAX 3000 &
    Luminator Horizon
    • Sunset
  • 548 destroyed due to fire.
    • 565-5751998NABI 436.08WA60ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B500R5
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator MAX 3000 &
    Luminator Horizon
    • Sunset
    601-6041994New Flyer D40LF40ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B500R5
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator MAX 3000
    • Simmons
    610-6311995New Flyer D40LF40ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B500R5
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator MAX 3000
    • Simmons
    640-6571995New Flyer D40LF40ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B400R4
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator MAX 3000
    • Simmons
    670-6762001New Flyer C40LF40ftCNG
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50G
    • Allison B400R6
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator Horizon
    • Simmons
  • Originally numbered 660-666.
    • 701-7602001NABI 40-LFW 40ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50
    • Allison B400R5
    		GFI GenfareCENTSaBILLLuminator MAX 3000 &
    Luminator Horizon
    • Boulder City
    • Laughlin
    • Sunset
    • Simmons
  • 704 donated to City of the World. Sold in 2018 to a private person.
  • 712, 729, & 748 donated to SNTC. 748 retired in 2016. 712 & 729 retired in mid 2018.
    • 800-829 2004New Flyer D60LF60ftDiesel
    • Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR
    • Allison B500R6 Gen-III
    		Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Sunset
  • 800 & 822 Were used as training buses for a time.
    • 900-9292006New Flyer DE41LFR41ftDiesel-electric
    • Cummins ISL 8.9L
    • Allison EP40 Gen-IV Parallel
    		SPX Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Simmons
  • These are the first hybrid buses to be used for fixed route service in Las Vegas.
  • 912 & 926 rehabbed & relocated into the RTC Mobility Training Center.
    • 949-9782007NABI 40-LFW Hybrid 40ftDiesel-electric
    • Cummins ISL 8.9L
    • Allison EP40 Gen-IV Parallel
    		GFI Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Sunset
  • 961, 963, 972, 976, 977, 978 retired from RTC fleet inventory, but still operate under "Silver Rider", which is based in Laughlin.
  • 974 destroyed due to fire.
    • 979-998

    		2008NABI 40-LFW
    		40ftDiesel
    • Cummings ISL 8.9L
    • Allison B400R5
    		Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Sunset
  • 979 Currently used as training bus.
    • M01-M102003Irisbus Civis60ftDiesel-electric
    • Cummins ISL 8.9L
    • Allison EP50 Gen-IV Parallel
    		SPX Genfare OdysseyLuminator Horizon
  • Simmons
  • The only Irisbus Civis coaches that operated in the United States.
  • M10 destroyed due to engine fire.

    • Color schemes

    The first livery used was a white base with a teal and magenta mix, black lining around the windows, and the CAT logo in the midsection body, front, and rear. This livery was used from 1992 to 2001.
    In 2001, the second livery came in three variants, with the second one being the primary livery. The RTC decided to abandon their teal and magenta, and adopted blue stripes with a cat running on a white base, white around the windows, and moved the CAT logo to just above the first window on either side, under the windshield, and on the engine door. Prior to the arrival of the 2001 New Flyer CNGs and Neoplans, the RTC began repainting the fleet with the blue stripe livery. Once they arrived, the RTC approved a variant to the livery and instead of having just blue stripes, it became blue and gold alternating stripes with the logos in the same positions. The RTC then started repainting coaches with this new variant, leaving the already painted coaches with the 1st variant. This livery was used from 2001 to 2005 on the fixed-route fleet. It is the current livery for the RTC paratransit fleet, using the 2nd variant. Since 2008, a 3rd variant has been used by removing the running cat, having the stripes extend around the vehicle, and replacing the CAT logo with the RTC logo.
    In 2004, 10 Irisbus Civis coaches arrived for service on the new BRT line, complete with a new MAX Line livery. It consisted of a blue base, with a white line that stretched the length of the coach, and with gold stars on the rear quarterpanels of each side. This is the current BRT system livery.
    In 2005, the RTC again changed the livery and revived the first livery design using the new color scheme and extended the shapes to the bottom of the vehicle. This livery was only used on the 800 series coaches and on coach 654, and it was only used in 2005. A variant of this livery has the CAT logos replaced with RTC fleet logos on the sides of the coach.
    operating the BRT line.
    Later in 2005, the RTC received its shipment of 50 double deck vehicles, with yet another new livery. This one consisted of an all gold base, with a blue trim around the bottom, and the transit logo between both decks, under the windshield, and under the engine door. Originally to only be used as the livery for the double deckers, the RTC decided it was time to change the livery again, and adopted the livery in 2006. For non-double deck vehicles, the CAT logo remained above the windows, but the RTC logo was added to the position where the CAT logo was in 1992. To date, only 2 vehicles that were already part of the fleet have been repainted in this livery variant. The New Flyer 900 series vehicles were the last vehicles with this livery. In 2008, the RTC made a variant of the livery which had the CAT logo removed and replaced by a special RTC logo only used on these buses. Coach 702 has been repainted with this livery variant. In 2009, RTC commissioned another variant of the livery by replacing the special RTC logo with an "RTC Transit" logo on the sides and front of the coach. "Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada" was placed near the bottom of the coach. New "No Right Turn On Red" and "This Bus Stops At All Railroad Crossings" stickers were placed on the rear. The numbers were moved to the right of the front and rear of each coach, and "www.rtcsnv.com" is placed on the rear either on the destination sign just under the screen or on one of the engine doors.
    In 2010, a new livery was commissioned for the BRT system which consists of a gold base with a blue stripe and a white stripe.

    Bus terminals

    South Strip Transfer Terminal

    The South Strip Transfer Terminal, owned by the RTC, is located just south of McCarran Airport on Sunset Rd. and Gilespie St. The SSTT was opened in 2003 after the Vacation Village hotel and casino was closed, which was the southern terminus for many CAT routes. The SSTT has 18 transit bays that are serviced by 9 RTC routes, Megabus, which began on December 12, 2012, providing service from the SSTT to Los Angeles via Riverside, & BoltBus to Los Angeles. In 2008 the Park & Ride lot was expanded, doubling the amount of spaces available in response to the overwhelming use of the lot by commuters heading to the airport.
    ;SSTT amenities
    ;SSTT Bays

    Downtown Transportation Center

    The Downtown Transportation Center was the main transit center for the RTC systems in downtown Las Vegas. The DTC had 30 numbered bays, and 4 unnumbered bays that serviced 14 RTC routes, and a private Primm employee shuttle route. The DTC was opened in the late 1980s to serve as the main terminal for the Las Vegas City Trolley, and for the private Las Vegas Transit System, Inc. In 1992, it became the terminal for Citizens Area Transit, once Las Vegas Transit ceased operations. Originally, the DTC only had 23 bays, with two of them unnumbered. In 1999, the city expanded the terminal by building a northern plaza which required closing down Mesquite Ave. in the area. The DTC remained under ownership of the City of Las Vegas until July 31, 2009 when the city discontinued their CityRide transit system and transferred control of the terminal to the RTC. The RTC closed the aging terminal on November 7, 2010, with the grand opening of the Bonneville Transit Center.
    ;DTC amenities

    Bonneville Transit Center

    The Bonneville Transit Center is a transit terminal that was built to replace the aging Downtown Transportation Center as the main downtown terminal for local fixed route service. It opened on November 7, 2010 and is located on the corner of Bonneville Ave. and Casino Center Blvd. It has 16 internal bays, 5 external bays, and an air-conditioned lobby for transit riders. The Bonneville Transit Center is served by Deuce On The Strip, Strip & Downtown Express, Boulder Highway Express, Centennial Express, Westcliff Airport Express, Henderson & Downtown Express and Downtown & Veterans Medical Center Express. BoltBus to Los Angeles Union Station is accessible on 1st St. @ Bonneville Ave. On December 02, 2018, a new external bay was added.
    ;BTC amenities
    ;BTC Bays

    Centennial Hills Transit Center Park & Ride

    The Centennial Hills Transit Center is a transit terminal operated by the RTC to serve the northwest valley and its residents. It includes 900 parking spaces, park & ride, indoor waiting facility, next arrival information and restrooms. Construction began in July 2009, and it opened March 28, 2010 in conjunction with the launch of the ACExpress C-Line. The facility is located at Grand Montecito Pkwy. & Elkhorn Rd. Routes that currently serve the Centennial Hills Transit Center are: 106A, 106B, and the Centennial Express.
    ;CHTC amenities
    ;CHTC Bays

    Westcliff Transit Center

    The Westcliff Transit Center is a transit terminal built in the valley's west side community of Summerlin. This terminal is the park & ride for the residents of Summerlin and officially opened on December 12, 2010 in conjunction with the launch of the Westcliff Airport Express connecting passengers to McCarran Airport & downtown Las Vegas from the valley's west side. Routes 207, 208 & 209 began service here on November 7, 2010. Route 120 began service here on March 2, 2014. Routes 120, 207, & 209 were removed from here while Route 121 began service here on November 08, 2015.
    ;WTC amenities
    ;WTC Bays

    UNLV Transit Center

    The UNLV Transit Center is a transit terminal built on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Central Las Vegas. It is located near Maryland Pkwy. & University Rd. & officially opened on September 4, 2013. Route 602 & Centennial Express began service here on September 5, 2013. Route 109 is available along Maryland Pkwy.
    ;UTC amenities
    ;UTC Bays

    Downtown Summerlin Transit Facility

    The Downtown Summerlin Transit Facility serves Downtown Summerlin as well as Las Vegas Ballpark and City National Arena. It is located at Pavilion Center Drive and Summerlin Centre Drive and opened on October 16, 2017.

    Accidents and incidents

    ;March 9, 2004
    On the afternoon of March 9, 2004 Lorraine Macdonald was cycling towards the Fashion Show Mall alongside a CAT Bus. The bus driver failed to look in her rear view mirror and side-swiped Lorraine Macdonald twice, which did not kill her but left her wheelchair-bound with on-going injuries. March 2007, Miss Macdonald took the bus company to court and won the case, however the bus company appealed and the verdict was reversed in the Nevada Supreme Court and another trial ordered. In March 2010, Miss Macdonald went back to court and won the case again which the bus company has again appealed & won.
    ;July 19, 2006
    On the night of July 19, 2006, Alexander Dennis coach 224 on the "Deuce" service was deadheading north on Interstate 15. A tire failed and the bus went through an opening in the median barrier rail that had been removed for construction access. The coach continued through the median and over a barrier on the southbound side of the Interstate. The coach was spinning clockwise when it was hit by a tractor trailer, which caused the bus to spin the other way and collide again with the trailer before coming to a rest. Due to the size of the cleanup, and the need to investigate the accident, the road was not reopened until approximately 10:00 am the following morning. The driver of tractor trailer was killed in the accident. The passenger in the tractor trailer was unrestrained at the time of the accident, and was severely injured. The driver of the coach was severely injured, and partially disabled.
    Following the accident, the coach was retained at the RTC Tompkins yard, covered by a giant tarp to preserve it for inspection during the ongoing investigation and litigation. Upon closure of the RTC Tompkins facility, the bus was taken from the facility and moved to an off-site storage location. In 2011, with the investigation over, the bus was moved to the RTC Simmons facility where the bus was finally dismantled for any usable parts & eventually scrapped.
    Initial investigation revealed concerns about problems with the tire were reported a few times by drivers prior to the accident. Maintenance records show that each time a problem was reported it was inspected and evaluated by the mechanics. Additionally, the companies involved in the removal of the barrier were also investigated for contributing to the accident.
    ;January 3, 2008
    On the night of January 3, 2008, a CAT bus collided through two brick walls before finally hitting a house. Around 9:30 pm, CAT bus 915 on route 207 was heading south on Christy Lane and turning left onto Mabel Road, when the bus hit a Ford Mustang car. This sent the bus out of control and into the brick walls and the house. There were three minor injuries on the bus, and unconfirmed injuries in the Mustang. The bus was not taken off the property until the next morning, because officials were concerned that the bus might have made the house structurally unsafe. Support columns were placed in the house and the bus was removed.
    ;March 17, 2008
    On the night of March 17, 2008, CAT bus number 653 struck and killed a pedestrian at the intersection of Washington and Rancho.
    ;July 7, 2008
    On the morning of July 7, 2008, A red truck hit the CAT bus stop on Boulder Highway and Flamingo Road, killing 1 woman and seriously injuring another woman. The driver was arrested and officers said he was under the influence of prescription painkillers.
    ;July 8, 2008
    The day following a deadly crash at a CAT bus stop, another incident occurred with a naked man stealing a bus. At around 07:30 hours, Charles Sell was near Washington Ave. and Lamb Blvd, when Metro police reported that, while naked, he stole beers from a 7-11, and then proceeded to steal CAT paratransit vehicle 1792. He punched the door glass, boarded, and took control while the bus driver jumped off for safety. A few hundred metres away, he jumped off while the bus continued in motion. A Metro officer boarded and stopped the vehicle where the suspect Charles Sell was arrested by Metro that landed him for booking into the Clark County Detention Centre on charges of Grand Larceny Auto and Robbery.
    ;September 13, 2012
    On the morning of September 13, 2012, a man in a 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo, crashed into the bus stop at Spring Mountain and Dectaur, killing four, and injuring 8. The impact tore some of the victims to pieces, and hurled some dozens of yards from the point of impact. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Laura Meltzer, it was difficult to determine their identities, but Metro believe all were waiting for the bus. They were identified Thursday night only as three women, ages 65, 49 and 47, plus a 24-year-old man, all of Metropolitan Las Vegas. The man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and was listed in critical condition.
    ;January 28, 2013
    On the afternoon of January 28, 2013, a woman, driving a 2004 Ford Taurus, crashed into a double decker bus at Charleston and Rainbow, killing herself and injuring 5 people who were on the bus. The people of the bus only suffered minor injuries.
    ;January 9, 2016
    On the evening of January 9th, 2016, a 202 bus heading west hit a bus stop sign, near Boulder Highway and Flamingo Road. The bus was pulling in, and hit the bus stop sign off of the shelter, flinging it on the road. Nobody was injured. However, on the same day, around 5am, a 201B heading east, was pulling up to the curb on Tropicana and Dean Martin Drive. The bus took out the shelter, and doing that, a woman was knocked down and hit by the bus, killing her.