Bus budget concerns rural areas

As transit officials in the Las Vegas Valley grapple with a controversial bus contract and are considering reduced routes to meet a tighter budget, the transportation picture in rural communities is far bleaker.

Residents in Mesquite and Bunkerville are concerned about rides to work and even to the hospital as the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition mulls eliminating one of two routes that serve the area.

Debbie Dauenhauer, spokeswoman for the coalition, said the agency is forced to make a 44 percent cut in service because the Regional Transportation Commission reduced its funding by $180,000 a year. That is about half of the budget to run the Silver Rider system.

On the chopping block is a circuitous route in Mesquite, Route 333A.

The more popular route, the 333B, will continue to run between Bunkerville and Mesquite but with significant changes, Dauenhauer said.

The final two night runs will be eliminated, meaning the last bus will leave Mesquite for Bunkerville at 9:30 p.m. rather than 12:30 a.m..

The reduction in service poses a problem for swing shift employees who work in Mesquite and live in Bunkerville and also residents on the outskirts of Mesquite who want to enjoy the nightlife.

"A significant percentage of residents don't want any cuts," Dauenhauer said, adding that some passengers even offered to pay a higher fare, a decision that must be made by the Regional Transportation Commission. " Given the economy, it's going to be difficult to do that."

Cutting the last run probably will not affect many riders; ridership on the late bus hovered around two per night.

The 333A bus stopped at the hospital, and losing that service caused concern. Dauenhauer said a passenger on the 333B fixed route can request a ride to the hospital from the driver and take priority over other stops.

Severe reductions to the Silver Rider line isn't the only challenge the rural communities face.

Residents are also keeping a close eye on the bus contract battle between First Transit and Veolia Transportation in Las Vegas Valley.

Jacob Snow, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission, said if Veolia lands the contract, service might have to be reduced significantly. The transit agency is already facing a tighter budget than officials have ever before witnessed, and Veolia's bid to run the service for seven years is $50 million higher than First Transit's proposal.

Snow said the routes likely to be cut are the runs to rural communities such as Mesquite, Laughlin and even Boulder City.