Las Vegas News · August 24, 2026
RTC Launches Maryland Parkway RED LINE Bus Rapid Transit
By The Property Management Firm
Published
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) launched its Maryland Parkway RED LINE bus rapid transit service on Sunday, Aug. 23. The new line replaced Route 109, with dedicated transit lanes in many sections, upgraded stations and new hydrogen fuel cell buses, according to the RTC. Smart Cities Dive reported on Aug. 24 that buses run every 12 minutes during daytime hours on the $378 million project. The Las Vegas Sun has described the corridor as one of the busiest in the RTC system.
What Launched on Aug. 23
In its Aug. 3 announcement, the RTC said the RED LINE features:
- An expanded route serving downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Medical District
- Dedicated transit lanes to reduce traffic delays
- Stations with more seating, shade and passenger amenities
- New zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell, high-capacity buses
- Direct connections to Bonneville Transit Center, South Strip Transit Terminal and Harry Reid International Airport
An RTC blog post on Aug. 20 added that the line connects to UNLV, Boulevard Mall and Sunrise Hospital. The RED LINE was the centerpiece of a systemwide service change the same day: the RTC said it also restructured the Centennial Express (CX), adding express service every 30 minutes between Bonneville Transit Center and South Strip Transit Terminal, adjusted several other routes and schedules, and launched rideRTC See & Say, a reporting tool in the rideRTC app and at TellRTC.com.
Smart Cities Dive reported that the project, funded by federal grants, local funding and sales tax, includes dedicated and shared bus and bike lanes, and that sidewalks in most locations were widened from 5 feet to 10 feet, with trees planted along the route. RTC Deputy CEO Andrew Kjellman told the publication that bus travel time on the corridor will drop by about 20%, thanks to dedicated outside lanes and transit signal priority.
Corridor Facts and One Difference in the Numbers
Smart Cities Dive and the Las Vegas Sun reported several of the same figures from the RTC. The corridor is home to about 63,000 residents and 109,000 jobs and carries roughly 35,000 vehicles a day, according to both outlets.
The sources describe the line's length differently:
- Smart Cities Dive described a 7.3-mile Maryland Parkway corridor.
- The Las Vegas Sun, in a July 4 report, described a 12.5-mile route running from the South Strip Transit Terminal to the Las Vegas Medical District.
On ridership, Smart Cities Dive reported that the existing route fell to about 9,000 riders a day during construction and that the RTC expects 13,000 daily riders by 2040. The Sun reported that RED LINE buses would arrive every 12 minutes instead of every 15.
Construction That Remains
The RTC's project website said that about four miles of the corridor in Clark County, between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road, still needed more work because of adjacent project delays, utility work and field conditions. The RTC said this would mean heavy traffic and service delays, and asked travelers to plan for extra time. Access to businesses and transit would stay open, it said.
The Sun reported in July that construction began in August 2024. Kjellman told the paper that some final work on the southern portion in unincorporated Clark County would extend into 2027 because of material timelines and remaining punch-list items.
What This Means for Owners and Renters
For owners: The RED LINE runs along Maryland Parkway through downtown, the Medical District, UNLV and the airport area, according to the RTC. Work on a four-mile section in Clark County was still underway at launch.
For renters: The RED LINE replaced Route 109, with buses every 12 minutes during daytime hours instead of every 15, according to Smart Cities Dive and the Sun. The agency said remaining construction between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road would bring heavy traffic and service delays in that section.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RED LINE?
A bus rapid transit service on Maryland Parkway that replaced RTC Route 109 on Aug. 23, 2026. It uses dedicated transit lanes in many sections, upgraded stations and hydrogen fuel cell buses, according to the RTC.
Where does it go?
The RTC said it serves downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Medical District, with connections to Harry Reid International Airport, UNLV, Boulevard Mall, Sunrise Hospital, Bonneville Transit Center and South Strip Transit Terminal.
Is construction finished?
Not entirely. The RTC said about four miles of the corridor in Clark County, between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road, still needed more work, and it advised travelers to plan for extra travel time.
Sources
RTC Southern Nevada: Service Changes Begin on Sunday, Aug. 23 (Aug. 20, 2026)
RTC Maryland Parkway project: RED LINE Service Update (Aug. 23, 2026)
Las Vegas Sun: Las Vegas road construction projects reach key milestones (July 4, 2026)
This is general local news, not financial or legal advice. Figures come from the sources listed above and can be revised, so talk with a licensed professional about your own situation.
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