Las Vegas, Nev. – Ahead of tomorrow’s first-ever virtual and 24th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced a new pilot program by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County to sustainably connect the Reno-Sparks community with Lake Tahoe. The program, which is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2021, will allow people in the Reno-Sparks area to book public transit trips to Lake Tahoe on an RTC FlexRIDE vehicle.
“This exciting new pilot program by RTC Washoe will sustainably connect the Reno-Sparks community with Lake Tahoe, allowing Northern Nevadans to enjoy Tahoe while cutting down on traffic congestion and decreasing emissions,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This innovative collaboration between RTC Washoe, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit and Tahoe Transportation District not only promotes environmentally friendly tourism, but also opens up the wonders of Tahoe to many Reno-Sparks residents who rely on public transportation to move themselves and their families. As we look at ways to continue to preserve Lake Tahoe for future generations, public transportation is providing innovative solutions that will help us maintain the majestic beauty of the ‘Jewel of the Sierra’.”
Senator Cortez Masto helped pass provisions in the CARES Act to support Nevada’s public transportation long-term projects that are vital to infrastructure improvements and conservation efforts around Nevada.
‘We are looking forward to providing residents in the Reno-Sparks area a new transportation choice and the regional connectivity to be able to visit and enjoy Lake Tahoe during the summer months, as well as Lake Tahoe residents to visit the Truckee Meadows,” said Bill Thomas, RTC Executive Director. “We thank the TRPA and all the partners within the Lake Tahoe Basin working together with the RTC of Washoe County to bring this pilot transit project to fruition.”
“Restoring Lake Tahoe requires a commitment to new transportation solutions and large-scale collaboration,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “This partnership with RTC is coming at a critical time as we manage unprecedented visitation and traffic.”
BACKGROUND:
On August 25th, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto will host the first-ever virtual and 24th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit, entitled “Resilient Tahoe.” During the virtual Summit, Cortez Masto will be joined by Members of Nevada’s and California’s congressional delegations and governors, as well as scientists and conservationists, to discuss sustainable transportation, conservation and the opportunities and challenges confronting the Tahoe Basin during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Interested media can RSVP online and confirm participation with Senator Cortez Masto’s press office at press@cortezmasto.senate.gov.
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