The RTC has added more pick up locations and earlier service hours to each of these routes to help individuals take advantage of stores offering dedicated hours to senior citizens and those with underlying medical issues. Photos Courtesy RTC

To help the community, particularly senior citizens, during the COVID-19 crisis, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) expanded service on its Silver STAR routes throughout the valley and partnered with community food bank Three Square to deliver groceries to homebound individuals.

“During this time, it’s especially important that we assist the vulnerable citizens of our community and try to find ways to help them access essential services,” said MJ Maynard, RTC CEO. “While transit ridership has decreased system-wide and we have had to scale back the level of service, we identified other ways to use our existing resources to help members of the community who need service most.”

The RTC has long offered 12 Silver STAR looped routes as a specialty service to connect senior living communities and various shopping areas, offering senior citizens convenient access to grocery stores, banks, and more. The RTC has added more pick up locations and earlier service hours to each of these routes to help individuals take advantage of stores offering dedicated hours to senior citizens and those with underlying medical issues. A new temporary route in the northeast valley has also been added. Every Silver STAR vehicle can accommodate up to two wheelchairs at a time.

Additionally, the RTC is partnering with community food bank Three Square to deliver groceries to homebound seniors. Due to lower trip demand from paratransit clients, the RTC can deploy existing paratransit drivers and vehicles to help Three Square with its Senior Hunger Program.