The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County has announced plans to launch a double-decker bus pilot demonstration, which will last for three weeks and start in early December.
There will be no farebox on the bus, so customers will ride for free and not have to pay for service on this bus during the demonstration. Throughout the demonstration, the RTC of Washoe County plans to evaluate how the bus operates on services such as the RTC's RAPID Lincoln Line, Routes 5, 7, 12 and the Regional Connector to Carson City.
Before the bus is available for service to the public, bus drivers will conduct test runs in to ensure safety and viability. The vehicle’s height and weight will also be taken into consideration as different routes will be used as part of the demonstration. The bus must be able to clear overpasses and not strain roadways not designed to handle the extra weight.
The RTC of Washoe County will measure customer feedback, ridership data and input from its transit contractor, Keolis, about the ability to operate and maintain the bus.
By the end of the demonstration, the RTC of Washoe County hopes to gain insight into how the implementation of a double-decker bus would work in the community.
