Public transit becoming part of Vegas experience

The San Francisco Chronicle ^ | December 27, 2002 | Michael Cabanatuan

[Willie Green]

Las Vegas -- This glitzy desert oasis of gambling has always prided itself on breaking the rules. But now the city of neon, flash and fun is applying its rebellious spirit to the usually unglamorous world of public transportation.

While many gamblers, conventioneers and sightseers still cruise the Strip past behemoth hotels and casinos in rented convertibles or limousines, public transit has quietly become a big part of the Vegas experience. And it's about to get bigger -- and flashier.

[lelio]

And when the Las Vegas Monorail
The major problem I have with the monorail that goes from the Grand down to Bally's is that you're waiting around forever for it. Plus its in the back of both casinos and it takes a long time to walk to get it to it. In fact I think it would be quicker to walk from the front of the Grand down to Bally's in the time it would typically take to ride the monorail.
What I think would be great is a traveling walkway, like in airports. You just step on and step off. Still get to see all the sites. No building of huge facilities to hold people. No expensive cars to make. Just a sidewises escalator.

[Willie Green]

What I think would be great is a traveling walkway, like in airports. You just step on and step off. Still get to see all the sites.

Nah. The hookers would get all worn out, huffing and puffing just trying to keep up.
That's bad for business.
Ya gotta have stops where they can hang out without over-exerting themselves.

[sharktrager]

I have to wonder about any government service that is intentionally turning a profit.

[Willie Green]

Fine by me, as long as the tourists pay for it.

;^)

[Simmy]

Well, one thing about this monorail, unlike, say, our light rail here in San Jose, California, the LV Monorail is privately funded. So, taxpayers (at least that is what they are saying about it) isn't paying the bill for it (that I'm aware of). If it turns a profit, at least it won't be subsidized by the taxpayers like our light rail and Bart system here in the Bay Area.

[Willie Green]

In most instances, local transit systems are subsidized because local merchants understand that such systems facilitate commerce.