Citizens Area Transit
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| Parent company | Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 5, 1992 |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Locale | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Service area | Las Vegas, North Las Vegas Henderson, Boulder City |
| Service type | Bus, Bus Rapid Transit, Paratransit |
| Routes | 37 |
| Stops | 3700+ |
| Hubs | 2 |
| Stations | 22 (MAX Line) |
| Fleet | 430 Fixed Route; 272 Paratransit |
| Daily ridership | April 2008 ridership 5.5 Million |
| Fuel type | Diesel, Ultra Low-Sulfur Diesel, Bio-Diesel, CNG. |
| Operator | Veolia Transportation (fixed-route service) First Transit (ADA Paratransit) |
| Chief executive | Jacob Snow, General Manager |
| Web site | rtcsnv.com |
Citizens Area Transit (or CAT) is currently the name of the bus system in the Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada area. Not all of Clark County is serviced by regular scheduled routes. The routes primarily operate within the greater Las Vegas area. The CAT system is owned by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.
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[edit] History
Citizens Area Transit was formed by the Regional Transportation Commission of Clark County to provide reliable bus service to the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Mesquite, and Laughlin. The system began on December 5, 1992 under the direction of Kurt Weinrich, the general manager at that time. The fleet consisted of mostly old vehicles like Flixble Grumman's, GMC RTS's, and Gillig Phantoms. They also had purchased 90 brand new New Flyer D40's. Before CAT had started operations, the privately owned Las Vegas Transit System, Inc. ran the streets of Las Vegas for more than 40 years. Las Vegas Transit 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. Under pressure by the county and state, and by court order of the state court, LVTS Inc. was ordered to cease operations and relinquish all its equipment, land, and property to the RTC.
Soon after starting up operations, CAT began to catch on with the city and blossomed. In 1997, the American Public Transportation Association awarded CAT the highest honor, Best Transit System in America (within its category). CAT was on top of American transit and it was great times. However, things began to change rapidly in the following years. In 2002, The Amalgamated Transit Union and the bus contractor began renewal contract talks. However, both sides were unable to reach any compromise on operators' wages and in May of that year, CAT suffered its very first strike. Several drivers walked off the job and on to the picket lines leaving the system crippled. Coach operators from sister agencies were called in to drive the buses and serve the city. Eventually, all was settled and things returned back to normal.
In 2004, CAT received its first shipment of 10 BRT vehicles from Irisbus. These buses were placed on the new MAX Line that serves North Las Vegas Boulevard. Only a year later, CAT received its first shipment of 50 double decker buses from Alexander Dennis. This brings CAT back into the game of ordering buses in big orders (considering they only order a few buses each time).
In March 2007, CAT received its first shipment of 30 Diesel-Electric Hybrid vehicles from New Flyer. Later that year, 40 double deck vehicles from Alexander Dennis arrived on site. While new vehicles continue to arrive and replace the older vehicles at CAT, the RTC is unveiling a new rapid transit system, called ACE. The first line will be called "ACE Downtown Connector" and will service the downtown and strip corridors.
[edit] Rebrand
In late 2007, the RTC began slowly rebranding the current Citizens Area Transit system. Some of the changes have been: The current CAT bus stop signs are being replaced by signs that say "Transit Stop", with only the RTC logo on them. Also, all the public media that the RTC has released no longer has any CAT logo, or mentions CAT in any way, instead referring to the fixed-route system as the RTC fixed-route system. All rider alerts, bus announcements, bus books, even the new NABI Hybrid buses no longer have the CAT logo on them. Another example is when any ads are placed on the exterior of the bus, they are usually "conveniently" covering the CAT logo, but sometimes leaving the RTC logo visible. When calling the customer service line, it previously said, "Thank you for calling the Citizens Area Transit customer service line", and now saying, "Thank you for calling the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada".
[edit] Equipment
CAT operates Irisbus Civis diesel electric vehicles on one route traversing North Las Vegas Boulevard, connecting Nellis AFB to the Downtown Transportation Center (DTC). This service is known as MAX. These Civis vehicles operate in a dedicated lane and are self steering, with the driver controlling acceleration and braking. This is the first use of this type of vehicle in the United States.
On October 27, 2005 CAT added a fleet of double decker buses on The Strip Route. The route is now called The Deuce.
On April 26, 2007, Coach 902 was the first 900 series coach to be placed into regular fixed-route service. It served Line 208 on this afternoon and brought a new era of hybrid technology with it.
In February 2008, RTC began receiving 30 brand new buses from NABI. The model is the 40-LFW, however, it is a special edition model because the bus has no appearance to its "sister" buses that carry the same model name.
[edit] Fares
Fares as of December 1, 2005
| Fare Type | Regular | 1Reduced: Seniors/Students |
| Residential One-Way Fare: | $1.25 | $0.60 |
| Strip One-Way Fare: | $2.00 | $1.00 |
| One-Trip Ridecard (same as Red. One-Way Fare): | $1.25 | $0.60 |
| Residential 1-Day Pass: | $2.502 | $1.252 |
| Strip 1-Day Pass: | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| 30-Day Pass: | $40.00 | $20.00 |
NOTE: Although Routes 110, 202, and 204 now use double-deck buses, fares on that route are the RESIDENTIAL prices.
1 To be able to purchase reduced rides and passes, you MUST show some type of reduced identification, whether it be a high school ID, CAT Reduced ID, or another transit systems Reduced Card.
2 To use this pass on the DEUCE, you must pay an additional 50 cents EACH TIME you board.
[edit] Route numbers
[edit] Future Routes
- ACE Downtown Connector: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route to serve the downtown and strip areas. The ACE is set to replace the successful MAX BRT system.
[edit] Current Routes
- 100's: Local North/South service within the Las Vegas Valley.
- 200's: Local East/West service within the Las Vegas Valley.
- 400's: Circulator/Connector routes.
- 705-717: Special senior citizen routes.
- MAX: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Route currently servicing Las Vegas Blvd. North.
- DEUCE: Exclusive Las Vegas Strip service.
- You can also look at a list of the Current Citizens Area Transit Routes
[edit] Former Routes
- 300's: Exclusive Las Vegas Strip service.(replaced by the DEUCE).
- 551: Special shuttle connecting the DTC with the Las Vegas Monorail.
- 600's: Outlying routes servicing Laughlin and Mesquite.
- 701-702: Intercity Shuttle loop routes.
- 800's: Express Service for major arterial routes.
[edit] Bus Fleet
[edit] Active
| Number | Year | Model | Image | Length | Quantity | Engine type | Farebox | Headsign | Garage |  |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M01-M10 | 2003 | Irisbus Civis |  |
60 ft | 10 | Diesel-electric | None (Off-Board Payment) |
Luminator Horizon | Simmons |  |
These are the only Irisbus Civis coaches in America |
| 101-141 | 2007 | Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 |  |
40 ft | 41 | Diesel | GFI Genfare Odyssey | Luminator Horizon | Tompkins | |
|
| 151-190 | 2007-8 | Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 | (No Image Available) | 42 ft | 40 | Diesel | None (Off-Board Payment) |
Luminator Horizon | Tompkins | |
These coaches are arriving on property |
| 200-249 | 2005 | Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 |  |
40 ft | 50 | Diesel | GFI Genfare Odyssey | Luminator Horizon | Tompkins, Simmons | |
These are the first double deckers to be used for fixed route service in Las Vegas |
| 401-490 | 1992 | New Flyer D40HF |  |
40 ft | 90 (8) | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator Super:MAX | Tompkins | |
These vehicles are being retired |
| 504-509 | 2001 | Neoplan AN460L |  |
60 ft | 6 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator MAX 3000 | Tompkins | |
|
| 510-517 | 1995 | New Flyer D60HF |  |
60 ft | 8 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator Mega:MAX | Simmons | |
|
| 520-525 | 1997 | New Flyer D60HF | |
60 ft | 6 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator Mega:MAX | Simmons | |
|
| 530-564 | 1997 | NABI 436 |  |
60 ft | 35 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator MAX 3000 | Simmons | |
|
| 565-575 | 1998 | NABI 436 | |
60 ft | 11 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator MAX 3000 | Simmons | |
|
| 601-604 | 1994 | New Flyer D40LF |  |
40 ft | 4 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator MAX 3000 | Tompkins | |
|
| 610-631 | 1995 | New Flyer D40LF | |
40 ft | 22 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator MAX 3000 | Simmons | |
|
| 640-657 | 1995 | New Flyer D40LF | |
40 ft | 18 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator MAX 3000 | Simmons | |
|
| 670-676 | 2001 | New Flyer C40LF |  |
40 ft | 7 | CNG | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator Horizon | Simmons | |
These are currently the only CNG coaches in the RTC fleet. Coaches were originally numbered 660-666 |
| 701-760 | 1999 | NABI 40-LFW |  |
40 ft | 60 | Diesel | GFI Genfare CENTSaBILL |
Luminator MAX 3000 | Simmons | |
Units 712, 729, and 748 were given to the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition to operate under the "Silver Rider" transit system, which is based in Laughlin and Mesquite, Nevada. |
| 800-829 | 2004 | New Flyer D60LF |  |
60 ft | 30 | Diesel | GFI Genfare Odyssey |
Luminator Horizon | Tompkins | |
Coaches have been refitted with a grill on the engine door to allow cool air to enter engine area thus avoiding engine fires |
| 900-929 | 2007 | New Flyer DE41LFR |  |
41 ft | 30 | Diesel-electric Hybrid | GFI Genfare Odyssey |
Luminator Horizon | Simmons | |
|
| 949-978 | 2008 | NABI 40-LFW Hybrid |  |
40 ft | 30 | Diesel-electric Hybrid | GFI Genfare Odyssey |
Luminator Horizon | Simmons | |
Units 976, 977, and 978 were given to the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition to operate under the "Silver Rider" transit system, which is based in Laughlin and Mesquite, Nevada |
| 979-998 | 2008 | NABI 40-LFW |  |
40 ft | 20 | Diesel | GFI Genfare Odyssey |
Luminator Horizon | Simmons | |
[edit] On Order
| Model | Length | Year | Numbers | Quantity | Fuel Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Flyer C40LF(R) |
40' | 2008 | TBA | 20 | CNG | |
| Wright StreetCar RTV |
62' | 2008/2009 | TBA | 50 | Diesel-Hybrid | |
| New Flyer C40LF(R) |
40' | 2009 | TBA | 48 | CNG |
[edit] Retired
| Model | Picture | Length | Year | Numbers | Quantity | Fuel Type | Formely Assigned To Division(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC RTS (Former LVTS) |
40' | 1981 | 101-105 | 5 | Diesel | Tompkins | ||
| TMC RTS |
 |
40' | 1992 | 150-154 | 5 | Diesel | Tompkins, Simmons | |
| Flxible Grumman 870 |
40' | 1980 | 201-208 | 8 | Diesel | Tompkins | ||
| Flxible Grumman 870 (Former LVTS) |
40' | 1982 | 250-261 | 12 | Diesel | Tompkins | ||
| Gillig Phantom(Former LVTS) |
 |
40' | 1990 | 301-313 | 13 | Diesel | Simmons | 3, 4 |
| El Dorado Transmark |
 |
33' | 1998 | 351-370 | 20 | Diesel | Simmons | 1, 6 |
| New Flyer D40LF |
40' | 1998 | 380-399 | 20 | Diesel | 2 | ||
| New Flyer D60HF (Former LVTS) |
60' | 1991 | 500-503 | 4 | Diesel | Tompkins, Simmons | 5 |
Notes:
1 Although these coaches were fairly new, they were retired due to their small capacity.
2 These coaches were rejected by RTC and acquired by LACMTA.
3 Units 301, 305, 309, 310, 311, 312 were given to the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition to operate under the "Silver Rider" transit system, which is based in Laughlin and Mesquite, Nevada.
4 Unit 302 was sold to a private citizen and now sits in a small car shop in west Las Vegas awaiting sale to a new owner.
5 Units 501, 502, and 503 were sold to ABC bus company in Florida.
6 As of April 2008, unit 362 is the final unit remaining on RTC property as the rest of the series have been sold.
[edit] Accidents
Throughout the 15 years of service, CAT has seen its share of accidents. 3 recent accidents involving CAT buses have gotten attention of the local media.
[edit] July 19, 2006
On the night of July 19, 2006, a Deuce double decker bus (Coach 224) blew a tire while traveling north on Interstate 15 and collided head on with a semi-truck which was heading southbound on I-15. The accident occurred around 10:00 pm, but since the two vehicles were so massive in size and had created a massive accident, it took cleanup crew until about 10:00 am the following morning to finish the scene. The driver of the bus survived while the driver of the truck did die. The investigation is citing the contracted maintenance company, Veolia Transportation, for not checking that tire properly, as it was reported in by drivers many times prior to the accident.
[edit] January 3, 2008
On the night of January 3, 2008, a CAT bus collided through 2 brick walls before finally hitting a house and coming to rest. Around 9:30 pm, CAT bus 915, route 207, was heading south on Christy Lane and turning left onto Mabel Road, when a mustang car collided with the bus. This sent the bus out of control and sent it through to the house. There were 3 minor injures on the bus, and unconfirmed injures in the mustang. The bus was not taken out of the property until the next morning, because officials were concerend that the bus might have made the house structurally unsafe. However, support columns were placed and the bus was removed.
[edit] March 17, 2008
On the night of March 17, 2008, CAT bus number 653 hit and killed a pedestrian at the intersection of Washington and Rancho.
[edit] Service area
CAT operates a grid-type system within the Las Vegas Valley, which includes the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City. The system's two busiest routes, THE DEUCE and Route 109 Maryland Parkway, provide service to the Las Vegas Strip and McCarran International Airport, respectively. A majority of Las Vegas Valley residents live within a half-mile of CAT service, but this percentage seems to be decreasing, as CAT is not expanding the service area as fast as the metropolitan area is expanding.[citation needed]
CAT also operates event-specific routes for special events such as auto races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, sporting events at Sam Boyd Stadium, Art In The Park events in Boulder City, and air shows at Nellis Air Force Base.
[edit] Routes, times, frequencies and stops
Most routes run from early morning (04:00) until late night (01:00). Some routes operate less frequently on weekends and holidays. 15 routes operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including THE DEUCE and 109/Maryland Parkway. 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.
[edit] Special services
Even though all buses in the system have wheelchair lifts, CAT operates CAT Paratransit for people who have difficulty in accessing the regular transit system. By-appointment-only paratransit is a door-to-door service. CAT also maintains an open charge account with a local taxicab company to service paratransit ridership when unforeseen delays occur, frequently caused by traffic congestion.
[edit] External links
[edit] Official Sites
- RTC of Southern Nevada, owns CAT.
- CAT website for routes and fares
[edit] Bus Fan Sites
- The Vegas Bus Yard Website featuring pictures of Southern Nevada buses.
