Project request for Bus Project by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and Legislative Assistant Heather Urban, April 4, 2001 (3 pages)

Transit Project Request - Bus Project Member's Name: Congresswoman Shelly Berkley NV-1 Staff Contact: Heather Urban, Legislative Assistant - 225-5965 1. Please identify the proper name of the project and provide a brief description of the project. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project. The BRT Project would serve the Las Vegas Boulevard North corridor, which is the third busiest in the RTC's CAT System. Currently, this corridor carries over 8,000 passengers per day with vehicles regularly crowded to capacity for a 13-hour peak period. The RTC would purchase 5 Civis Systems (with an option for an additional 5 vehicles) with the funding requested. These vehicles are a completely low floor and clean diesel-electric powered and can carry up to 168 passengers. The vehicles operate with an advanced optical guidance system that allows the vehicle to automatically "dock" at platforms for passenger loading at four points of entry and exit across a flat threshold, facilitating efficient and timely boarding. The Civis System offers the transportation advantages of a light rail system, but at a significantly lower capital cost. 2. What is the total estimated cost of the project? How is it divided between federal and non-federal sources? The estimated cost of the RTC's BRT Project is $11.6 million (which includes the cost of 10 vehicles). (However, the estimated cost of the entire undertaking when civil works are included is $18.35 million). The Federal share of the equipment purchase is $9.28 million and the local share is $2.32 million. 3. How much funding are you seeking in fiscal year 2002? $6 million in ? 5309 bus discretionary funds. 5. Has this project been funded before? If so, how much and in what fiscal years? Yes. The RTC received an earmark of $3.5 million in the FY 2001 Transportation Appropriations Conference Report. (P.L. No. 106-346). 6. Is there a public transportation component to this project? If so, please describe it. Yes. This BRT Project is designed to increase the capacity and the efficiency of transit service in the heavily traveled Las Vegas Boulevard North corridor. 7. tIhs et htrea anrseita 'osp terraantsoirt iosp aenradt oar p ihnovnoelv endu minb ethr.e pHroajse ctth?e rIef qsuoe,s pteldea esaer midaernkti fbye ewnh o discussed with the transit operator? Yes. The RTC is the operator of this service (under contract to ATC). The RTC's phone number is (702) 676-1717 (contact: Lee Gibson, Assistant General Manager for Transit). 8. Has the grantee been identified? If so, please name. The RTC is the grantee. 9. If this is a construction project, has the site been selected? If so, where? This is not a construction project. 10. tHhiass ptrhoej eFcet?d erIaf ls oT,r awnhseitn A adnmdi nwishtarat toioffnic'se ?r eIgf ioknnaolw onf,f ipcele abseee np rcoovnidtaec ttehde alobcoautti on and phone number of the FT A office with jurisdiction over this project. Yes, this project has been discussed in March 2001 with Leslie Rogers, Regional Administrator of Region IX in San Francisco. (415) 744-3133. 11. What is the status of the environmental work underway or completed? No environmental work is required because the project qualifies as a categorical exclusion under the DOT Environmental Regulations. 13. lIosc tahle f ulnodcsa l asrhea rien vfoorlv ethde, pwrhoajet clte gidiselnattiifvieed a catniodn asv aarilea nbelec easts tahriys ttoim mea?k eI f fustnadtes or available? Local funds (derived from sales tax revenues) are available in the RTC's budget. No legislative action is required. 14. dWisicllr ethtieo pnraorpyo fusendd se abrem naerekd fuedll yi nf ufuntdu reth ey eparorsje?c tI fo ra dwdiiltli oandadli tfiuonndasl fwedilelr bael sought, what are the annual federal funds necessary for the project and when is completion anticipated? The amount requested, if received, would enable the RTC to purchase 10 Civis Systems. Further discretionary funds may be necessary in the event the RTC exercises a contractual option for five additional vehicles (at an approximate cost of $6 million). 04/04/01 589576