As one of the fastest growing communities in the nation, the Las Vegas Valley is projected to reach approximately 2 million residents by 2007 and more than 3 million residents by 2020. This, combined with the current influx of more than 38 million annual visitors, has created ever increasing traffic congestion and air quality challenges for the community.

To help address our current and future transportation issues the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is proposing a 33-mile Regional Fixed Guideway (RFG) to link the cities of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas with the Las Vegas Resort Corridor.

The goals of the RFG project include:

• Mitigate traffic congestion by providing an alternative system of transportation to attract daily commuters and thereby reduce the number of automobiles on the roadway network
• Provide a quick, convenient and comfortable transit experience for riders as an attractive alternative to the automobile
• Improve overall mobility and air quality for Southern Nevadans

What is the RFG?
Status Update
What's Next
Timeline
Federal Transit Administration Process

Press Room - Press related documents released about the RFG

In The News - Articles published on the RFG
Documents - Fact sheet, newsletters, meeting minutes, presentations,

                  survey results and endorcements

The Regional Fixed Guideway is a proposed rapid transit system consisting of the following elements.

Rapid Transit Technology	Level Platform Boarding	High Capacity Vehicles w/ Multi-Door Access
Dedicated Runningway	Off-Board Fare Collection	Stations and Platforms

Regional Transportation Commission Board Approves

Moving Forward with MAX for the Regional Fixed Guideway

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) Board of Commissioners approved moving forward with the proposed environmental process for the Regional Fixed Guideway (RFG) project today at their April Board Meeting. The 33-mile rapid transit system will eventually connect Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas with the resort corridor using rubber tire rapid transit similar to the Metropolitan Area Express (MAX).

The Board voted to include the entire 33-mile route using rubber tire rapid transit technology, in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS examines the specifics of the proposed system, taking a look at each detail of the RFG. As part of the EIS, there will be many opportunities for public comments, as this process may take between two and four years to complete.

The Board also recommended that the initial segment connect the South Strip Transfer Terminal (SSTT) to downtown Las Vegas, and future segments should be added as needed. Currently, the RTC is in the planning stages of the Downtown Connector MAX line, which will connect downtown Las Vegas to the Sahara Monorail Station with service expected to begin in late 2008/early 2009. The Downtown Connector would be the first phase of the RFG with riders accessing the SSTT connection by 2012.

The choice of rubber tire rapid transit was based on greater flexibility and lower-cost than rail alternatives. During the public process, citizens expressed a desire for the RFG go to McCarran Airport and UNLV, among other places close to the proposed route. The MAX alternative provides the flexibility to adjust the route according to demand, while a rail option does not. In addition, the lower initial cost of the rubber tire rapid transit system presents a more attractive offer.

On the Move Newsletter

A Transportation Investment - April 2006

The RTC will begin work on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the entire 33-mile corridor this summer. The EIS examines the specifics of the proposed system, taking a look at each detail of the RFG. The specific alignment will also be determined during this phase of the project development. As part of the EIS, there will be many opportunities for public comments, as this process may take between two and four years to complete.

The RTC is currently in the second year of an eight to twelve year process. Throughout the process there will be many opportunities for public input. This is a brief timeline of the proposed project.

• 2002-04 - Regional Fixed Guideway Project Initiation
• October 2004 - Steering Committee (Stakeholder Group) Formed
• 2004-05 - Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Alternatives Analysis
• January 2005 - Public Meetings
• May 2005 - Public Meetings
• September 2005 - Public Meetings
• January 2006 - Steering Committee finalizes recommendations for RTC Board
• April 2006 - RTC Board adoption of Locally Perferred Alternative (LPA)
• If RTC Board of Commissioners votes to move forward with the project then:
• April 2006 - Submit Alternatives Analysis and LPA to FTA
• 2006 - Request FTA authorization to begin Environmental Impact Statement and Preliminary Engineering (EIS/PE)
• 2006-08 - EIS/PE Process with Public Input
• 2008 - Obtain Record of Decision (ROD) for environmental clearance
• 2008 - Request FTA authorization to begin Right-of-Way Acquisition, Final Design and Construction
• 2008-10 - Final Design and Right-of-Way Acquisition
• 2010-13 - Construction and Testing
• 2014 - Begin Regional Fixed Guideway service

By going through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) process the RTC is taking the steps necessary to apply for FTA funding which may cover 50 percent of the Regional Fixed Guideway. The current Alternatives Analysis will evaluate several alternative transit improvements ranging from minimal transit system improvements to the construction of the Regional Fixed Guideway. This analysis will determine the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) which is the most cost effective and provides the greastest benefit with the least impact.

The Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) discretionary New Starts program is the Federal government’s primary financial resource for supporting locally-planned, implemented, and operated transit "guideway" capital investments. From heavy to light rail, from commuter rail to bus rapid transit systems, the New Starts program has helped to make possible hundreds of new or extended transit fixed guideway systems across the country. These rail and bus investments, in turn, have improved the mobility of millions of Americans, helped to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the areas they serve, and fostered the development of viable, safer, and more livable communities.

• Additional information on the FTA's New Starts program