The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) will invest $2.3 million to move back or install 150 new and improved bus shelters and 130 benches and trash cans in 2014. The money comes from a Federal Transit Administration formula grant for transit enhancement projects.

As part of this year’s round of improvements, Phase III of the program, RTC plans to move back or install 55 stops in Clark County, 48 in Las Vegas, 18 in North Las Vegas and 10 in Henderson.

Wells Fargo, Home Depot and The Siegel Group also announced it would contribute right-of-way for bus stops at three its branches and offices that are part of Phase III.

One of the challenges to installing or moving bus stops away from the sidewalk is the need for right of way. In 2007, the Legislature passed a law to allow RTC to put bus stops on public property and on utility easements. This has helped, but it is not possible at all bus stops, particularly in older communities.

“These efforts are a work in progress,” RTC GM Tina Quigley said. “And, we look forward to continuing to work with our public and private partners to move back shelters throughout our community.”

Since 2008, RTC has spent about $15 million on bus stop improvements that include placing bus shelters behind sidewalks and conducting a safety study. The safety study determined the best and most cost-effective way to enhance safety is to move transit shelters at least five feet from the street, whenever feasible. But, it also found each of the 12 fatal crashes at local bus stops over the past decade was the result of a driver who was speeding, impaired, distracted or otherwise breaking the law.