Since she began riding the bus in 1999, RTC transit has been Adrian Reyes’ lifeline, connecting her to work at MGM Grand, grocery stores, medical appointments, family responsibilities and a community she considers an extension of her own.
For Reyes, transit is about much more than transportation. As the only family member in Las Vegas able to care for her sister, who lives in a long-term care facility, RTC transit allows her to visit regularly, advocate for her sister and make sure she knows someone is always there for her.
“It’s a blessing,” Reyes said. “Without transit, I couldn’t go see my sister or be her voice.”
Transit has also supported Reyes through life’s biggest moments. While pregnant with her daughter, RTC buses made it possible for her to attend appointments for specialized care.
For Reyes, every trip is more than a commute; she views it as an adventure. She enjoys meeting visitors from around the world, discovering new places throughout the valley and reconnecting with bus operators she’s known for years.
“You get to have real conversations without looking at your phone,” she said. “The drivers remember me, they remember my sister, and the riders look out for each other. It becomes like a little family.”
Reyes also understands how vital transit is to Southern Nevada’s economy.
“If there weren’t buses, the resorts would lose a lot of employees because many of us depend on transit to get to work,” she said. “The guest experience would suffer.”
Her message to anyone who has never ridden transit is simple: give it a chance.
“No one is too good to ride the bus,” Reyes said. “It gets people to work, to the doctor, the grocery store and the people they love. It’s a big part of people’s lives.”