RTC Washoe County to launch new seasonal pilot program

A new seasonal, pilot public transit service between Reno and Incline Village/Sand Harbor is being launched by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County this Memorial Day weekend.

The new RTC FlexRIDE Incline Village/Sand Harbor on-demand service will run through Labor Day weekend.

“We are looking forward to providing residents in the Truckee Meadows with a new transportation choice and regional connectivity to be able to visit Incline Village and enjoy Lake Tahoe during the summer months,” said Bill Thomas, RTC executive director. “We thank the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and all the partners working together with the RTC to bring this pilot transit project to fruition.”

The service will operate seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Reservations are required at least one to three days in advance by calling. The FlexRIDE vehicles are ADA accessible with wheelchair lifts and currently have room for up to six passengers each. The vehicles are equipped with bike racks and luggage nets.

Fares to Incline Village/Sand Harbor are $5 per one-way trip, plus an additional $2 fee for entry into Sand Harbor. Children five and under ride free with an adult on the FlexRIDE service, plus the additional $2 Sand Harbor entry fee.

Fares can be paid using the Token Transit app, or by purchasing a ticket at RTC 4th Street Station or RTC Centennial Plaza. Reduced-fare passes are available for $2.50 per trip for those who qualify, plus an additional $2 Sand Harbor entry fee. Proof of purchase for roundtrip tickets are required when boarding.

RTC FlexRIDE will depart from the park-and-ride lot at the Summit mall and then continue on Mount Rose Highway as far as Sand Harbor. In addition to visiting the beach, the service is anticipated to provide a transportation option for passengers to make general-purpose trips to and from the Incline Village area.

The FlexRIDE can make the following stops along the way, if requested by the passenger when making reservations: Sky Tavern Ski Area, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Mt. Rose at Country Club Drive, Village at Country Club Drive, Incline Village Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Highway 28 at Northwood, Highway 28 at Toepa, Village Market, Incline Village Community Hospital, Incline Village High School, Raley’s, Highway 28 at US Bank, Incline Village Golf Course, Deer Court, Incline Village Country Club, Tahoe Science Center, the Hyatt, Parkside Inn and Tunnel Creek.

“This exciting new pilot service will allow residents and visitors to enjoy Tahoe, while cutting down on traffic congestion and decreasing emissions,” said U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev), who announced the pilot program in advance of the 24th Annual Tahoe Summit in 2020 and recently introduced the TRAVEL Act to support Nevada’s tourism economy. “As we look at ways to continue to preserve Lake Tahoe for future generations, and boost tourism in the Lake Tahoe Basin, public transportation is providing innovative solutions that will help us maintain the majestic beauty of the ‘Jewel of the Sierra’.”

This pilot service will also create connections to Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) and Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) service in the Lake Tahoe Basin to the Reno/Sparks area.