NDOT seeking public input on an update to State Management Plan for rural transit services

Courtesy Nevada Department of Transportation

With well over half of a million rides provided each year by Nevada’s rural transit operators, the Nevada Department of Transportation is inviting public input on an update to its State Management Plan which defines how federal transit funding is administered. This funding represents the majority of the budget transit operators use to provide much-needed transit services to rural areas of the state.

The State Management Plan outlines the objectives, policies and procedures by which federal transit funds are administered to Nevada’s public, tribal and private passenger transit services. The plan is reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that administration of the funding meets changing program needs and federal regulations.

“Rural transportation services are crucial to getting people access to healthcare, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation,” NDOT Transit Manager Graham Dollarhide explained. “We look forward to public and stakeholder input on the plan to ensure that together we help meet the needs of Nevada’s rural communities.”

Each year, NDOT utilizes approximately $10 million in Federal Transit Administration funds to support local transit operations, including the purchase of buses and other vehicles, modifications to facilities, and mobility management programs. The services are operated throughout Nevada, many providing access for the disabled, the elderly, and those needing transportation to and from employment, medical treatment and more. Trips are frequently provided from the rural areas, where resources are scarce, to larger, more urban areas where additional services are offered.

The plan is available for review and comment by visiting nevadadot.com and selecting the “Transit” link under the “Mobility” tab. Comments can be made via e-mail to gdollarhide@dot.nv.gov and are due by April 17, 2020. Feedback should be specific to the administration of funds defined in the plan and not specific transit services.