Posted on 12/08/2006 2:17:20 PM PST by rellimpank
The Las Vegas Monorail has struggled to cultivate a customer base. Projected to move more than 50,000 people a day, it has instead attracted a fraction of what was expected -- something closer to 20,000.
That, of course, has led to financial concerns. The private Las Vegas Monorail Corp. needs about $61 million a year to cover operating costs and debt service. But the monorail is currently generating only $39 million annually.
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Monorail executives have tinkered with the fare structure, with little success. Clearly, some other course of action is necessary to stave off collapse.
Some critics have argued that the monorail route -- the train runs just east of Las Vegas Boulevard, from the MGM Grand to the Sahara -- hampers the system because it ignores the need for more transportation options between the Strip and McCarran International Airport.
On Wednesday, the County Commission seemed to agree.
(Excerpt) Read more at reviewjournal.com ...
I thought the monorail in Vegas was free. Like the shuttle buses/vans the casinos run (you CAN tip the driver).
I rode the monorail one time and don't recall paying to get on.
"...it ignores the need for more transportation options between the Strip and McCarran International Airport."
You won't see this. Too much money in the $10 rountrip tokens for shuttle buses from the airport, cabs, and car rentals.
Of course the last time I was in Vegas I ended up getting a $5 limo in the deal.
Let's see. Monorail used by fewer than half what was promised. Let me guess ... the darned thing cost twice what was projected to build and costs twice as much to run as expected.
I think the one you were on is a different monorail. They need to extend the one from the airport to the strip. From what I have heard, the taxi union is against it.
I always thought it would have made more sense to have the Monorail make runs to the casinos from the airport.
I feel a song and dance number coming.... Are you of the Devil? No, good sir, I'm on the level.
--biggest problem is it presently doesn't get anyone from where they are to where they want to be--
Or Shelbyville.
It would only be a good option for business travelers with no luggage - or gamblers who arenn't planning to stay overnight. If people try to drag luggage onto those tiny cars, it will reduce the capacity so much that they'll make even less money.
Ultimately it will become a novelty system, owned and operated by the casinos and free to the public. They'll just charge all of their guests $5 extra a night to keep it running. ;)
Ping!
I hear those things are awfully loud.
Is there a chance the track could bend?
Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
The biggest problem with the Las Vegas monorail is that you have to walk two miles through the casinos to get to it. The #2 problem is that it's too expensive.
I was there last month. The monorail near the Excalibur/Luxor/NY NY properties was free but the monorail that is on the other side of the Strip (MGM to Bally's to the LV Hilton, for instance)involved a fee.
--that isn't a monorail--it's a rubber tired tram--(I used to work on it)--
What about us brain-dead slobs?
You'll be given cushy jobs.
What-a-rail?
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