How does the extreme heat in Las Vegas impact the RTC's bus operations?

The intense heat in Las Vegas causes frequent bus breakdowns, leading to service disruptions. The RTC has struggled to maintain fleet availability due to the region's high temperatures and heavy transit demand.

What is the goal of the BUFFER Act?

The goal of the BUFFER Act is to ensure that transit agencies like the RTC can quickly deploy working buses to keep their communities moving, even when extreme weather events take a toll on their fleets.

Home / Weather / Lawmakers Seek Flexibility to Boost Spare Buses for Transit Agencies in Extreme Weather

Lawmakers Seek Flexibility to Boost Spare Buses for Transit Agencies in Extreme Weather

Q: What is the BUFFER Act?

The BUFFER Act is a proposed legislation that would allow transit agencies in regions regularly experiencing extreme weather to increase their spare bus ratio from 20% to 30% without risking federal grants.

9 Sep

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Summary

Federal grant rules limit spare buses to 20% of fleet
Extreme heat in Las Vegas causes frequent bus breakdowns
Bill introduced to allow 30% spare bus ratio for agencies facing extreme weather

Lawmakers Seek Flexibility to Boost Spare Buses for Transit Agencies in Extreme Weather

As of September 9th, 2025, a new bill has been introduced in Congress to address the challenges faced by transit agencies in maintaining reliable service during extreme weather events. The issue is particularly acute in Las Vegas, where the region's intense heat can lead to frequent bus breakdowns, leaving passengers stranded.

The problem is exacerbated by a federal rule that limits the number of spare buses transit agencies can have on hand to 20% of their overall fleet. This cap, enforced by the Federal Transit Authority (FTA), makes it difficult for agencies like the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) to quickly deploy a working bus when one breaks down due to the extreme heat.

To address this, Democratic Rep. Dina Titus has introduced the Bus Utilization for Fleet Flexibility and Emergency Resilience (BUFFER) Act. The bill would allow transit agencies in regions regularly experiencing extreme weather to increase their spare bus ratio to 30% without jeopardizing federal grants. This extra flexibility is crucial, as the RTC has struggled to maintain fleet availability due to the region's high temperatures and heavy transit demand.

The legislation aims to ensure that the thousands of Las Vegas residents who rely on public transportation can continue to access reliable service, even when the extreme desert climate takes a toll on the buses. With the BUFFER Act, transit agencies would have more resources to quickly respond to breakdowns and keep their communities moving.

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