Lyon to look at Reno-Fernley buses for workers

YERINGTON - Lyon County and state officials will discuss Thursday ways to put buses on the road to transport workers between Reno and Fernley.

The next step may be buses between Silver Springs and Carson City.

Lyon County Manager Stephen Snyder said public transit needs have increased considerably throughout the county the past several months because of industrial growth.

"The demand in the county is higher now than when the issue was reviewed by the state just a few months ago," Snyder said. "They want buses on the road, particularly in the Fernley area. A lot of new employees are anticipated in the near future."

According to Nevada Department of Transportation official Sandi McGrew, the state hopes to have a bus system in place soon between Reno and Fernley.

"Between January and February, we plan to be up and moving," McGrew said. "We don't know the size and hours of service at this point. It will depend on what proves to be feasible."

Surveys are being distributed to area employers to determine employee transportation needs in two travel corridors:

- The Highway 50/395 Corridor - from Silver Springs to Carson City, with connections to Lake Tahoe and Virginia City.

- The Highway 85/1-80 Corridor - from Fallon, through Fernley to Reno, with connections to Yerington.

McGrew will ask Lyon County commissioners Thursday for assistance in running the systems. She said no county funds will be requested.

The money is a combination of $2.4 million in federal and state funds earmarked for rural transportation programs over the next two years. McGrew is looking to other state agencies with client needs and to future employers to meet the required 50/50 match funding.

"Our goal at the end of two years is to find guaranteed funding," McGrew said. "We are looking to do joint ventures with industries, offering incentives where possible.

Using Amazon.com distribution facility in Fernley as an example, McGrew said it is difficult for large companies to recruit if they can't transport them to work. Amazon.com is the leading on-line shopping site and expects to employ close to 1,000 people in Lyon County.

The Lyon County commissioners meet in the Courthouse Annex, 31 S. Main St., Yerington, beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday For information, call 577-5036 (Dayton/Silver Springs) or 463-6531.