Carson City looking at expanding Jump Around Carson bus routes

Carson City’s bus routes could be expanding to the north and south next.

The Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization on Wednesday heard the results of a study commissioned by the Regional Transportation Commission and developed by LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc., for Jump Around Carson bus service. LSC conducted a survey and held public meetings and came up with multiple planning alternatives.

The study found the addition of a north route serving the Northridge Drive area and extending Route 3 to Topsy Lane would give the biggest bang for the buck.

“Those routes give best increase in ridership for the least additional cost,” said Charles Macquarie, CAMPO member.

The proposed north route would be a 4.5-mile loop connecting “the Downtown Transfer Center with the Carson City Senior Center in both directions, with a one-way clockwise route largely along Marian Avenue, Longridge Drive, Northridge Drive and E. Long Street,” according to the report.

Buses on Route 3, which now ends at Fuji Park, would “continue south on US 395 one more intersection south of Clear Creek Parkway, turning right on Topsy Lane, right on Vista Grande Boulevard (behind Walmart) and right on Clear Creek Parkway.”

Other ideas discussed included a route through Arrowhead Drive and the industrial area, added service to Lyon County, and service downtown during special events or legislative sessions.

Lucia Maloney, transportation manager, said the next step is to develop a draft plan in which CAMPO can determine priorities and staff can begin looking for grant funding.

CAMPO also directed staff to continue working with the Nevada Department of Transportation on an interlocal agreement for development of a Transportation System Management Plan for Carson City, and Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

Supervisor Lori Bagwell said the language in one section could require Carson City to reimburse NDOT if the project was not completed. The project is being done in three phases and Bagwell and others were concerned the city could complete two phases in good faith, not be able to complete the third phase, and be on the hook for the costs of the first two phases.

CAMPO also approved the submission of a report outlining disadvantaged business enterprise three-year goals for Federal Transit Administration funds and a request from NDOT to classify portions of Santa Barbara Drive and Vicky Lane as minor collector roadways.

The RTC, which meets after CAMPO, approved the allocation of $280,725 from the city’s Surface Transportation Block Grant to the Multi-use Path to Colorado Project and to the Airport Road Sewer and Roadway Reconstruction Project.