Nye Ryder moves from under RTC to Pahrump

Nye Ryder, Pahrump's first on-demand transportation program, officially shifted from the auspices of the Pahrump Regional Transportation Committee to the Town of Pahrump.

The move was approved by members of the Pahrump Regional Transportation Committee with a caveat that the chance would be evaluated by the district attorney of Nye County.

Susan Holecheck, community outreach manager for Nathan Adelson Hospice, said while the original plan was to create a countywide transit system, after evaluating financial conditions of Nye County, organizers decided to focus on Pahrump.

"We have met with County Manager Pam Webster who believes a modest amount of revenue might be available from the town's budget, perhaps business licensing and that is our intent to go before Nye County commissioners in their capacity, ask Pahrump town board members, seek their approval and get an access to grant opportunities," Holecheck said.

Additionally, members of the committee said they would lease one of the buses to NyE Communities Coalition for veterans' transportation at $1 a year.

After delivering four handicap-equipped buses from Salt Lake City to Pahrump in January, Nye Ryder organizers put together NyECC VETrans, a transportation program for veterans that plans to work with VA clinics, Nevada Department of Veterans Services and several other organizations to define current gaps in veterans' transportation needs.

"Our veteran population is large; there have been constraints placed on their transportation needs. We believe donating this van to the coalition will enable them to secure a veterans grant for the operation of this needed service," she said.

According to the memo prepared by the NyECC, Nye County has a population of 7,000 vets, who are often affected by the lack of transportation options. Eighty-five percent of all veterans in Nye County live in Pahrump.

Albert Bass, one of the organizers for Nye Ryder, said two weeks ago Nye County wasn't on the list for acceptable counties. Now Nye Ryder can receive $50,000 a year for veterans' transportation through NDVS.

Officials said the program would use $5,000 for administration, $2,000 for marketing and advertising, $8,000 for vehicle insurance and maintenance and $35,000 for operations.

"The NyECC hope to secure this application quickly as to get Nye County in on the list and secure future funding for our transportation program going forward," Bass said.

The only requirements are that the rider is a veteran and is in need of a ride for medical, mental health or pharmaceutical reasons, he added.

NyECC plans to develop a memorandum of understanding with multiple organizations to help support the transportation needs of veterans.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77