CAT expects big jump in senior riders

Jeff Schweers

Wednesday, June 10, 1998 | 11:10 a.m.

More people living out their golden years in Clark County are likely to spend a lot more time riding into the sunset on Citizens Area Transit buses during the next decade.

According to a report to be furnished to the Regional Transportation Commission Thursday, riders over 62 are expected to increase from a current 8.2 million a year to 11 million a year by 2010.

That translates into an increase in operating costs from $32.2 million in 1998 to $43.6 million in 2010.

David Parks, assistant director for the RTC, said the purpose of the report is to "show how that translates as far as our needs to provide additional services."

Parks said the Las Vegas Valley has a fast-growing senior population because of its popularity as a retirement destination and the rapidly aging current population. Between now and 2010, the population over 62 is estimated to increase from 236,156 to 319,803.

The board also is scheduled to receive a report on a program currently operated by the RTC to help train disabled riders to use the fixed route system, Parks said.

RTC transit director Linda Tunstall said the goal is to get people who have disabilities but don't qualify for paratransit services to use the regular bus route with the proper training.

Paratransit ridership was slashed from 18,000 to 8,000 since the implementation last January of a program to better screen people for eligibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The RTC meets Thursday at 8:45 a.m. in the commission chambers of the Clark County Government Center, 500 Grand Central Parkway.