Douglas County being targeted to help fund bus service

People from Carson City and Douglas County alike make their way to businesses near Topsy Lane. And some of them use public transportation.

Jump Around Carson, JAC, the city's public bus system, includes Topsy among its stops. It's a fairly popular destination -about 5 percent of riders get on or off there, according to the city.

The city, however, receives no compensation from Douglas County to provide the service to those out-of-town residents. Members of the Regional Transportation Commission will consider asking Douglas for money during its meeting Wednesday.

"It's just really a case of wanting Douglas County to help fund a service used by some of its residents," said Supervisor Shelly Aldean, also the RTC chairwoman. "And JAC provides a valuable service."

Cost to provide the service would be an estimated $16,500 a year based on current ridership counts.

Another option for the city would be not to travel to that point past the city's border with Carson if it becomes too costly for the bus system. Douglas could opt to use the regional RTC Intercity service, Aldean said.

"We're hoping there will be a meeting of the minds," she said of any possible arrangement with Douglas. "I don't think this is an unreasonable request."

The system has printed a new map that's easier to read, but is waiting for such events as the completion of road work on the south side before handing it out.

If the system eventually stops running to Topsy, then some sort of amendment would have to be made to the map, she said.

Ridership continues to climb every month, however, and May's total is 8,112. JAC began running in late 2005.

JAC runs weekdays 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Routes are on 60-minute cycles. The buses don't run on Sundays or major holidays.

Contact JAC at 887-7433 for details about programs.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.