20,060 PER DAY: Monorail ridership plunges

Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | 20 July 06

[rellimpank]

Passenger counts down nearly 30 percent in aftermath of fare increase in January

A rider goes through the turnstile Wednesday at the Sahara station of the Las Vegas Monorail. Ridership is down significantly this year.

By OMAR SOFRADZIJA

The good news is that Las Vegas Monorail riders have found roomier trains as of late. The bad news is that's because there are far fewer riders on board than last year.

Ridership in the first half of 2006 plunged nearly 30 percent from already weak passenger counts last year, with the sustained turnstile slowdown following a fare hike at the start of this year. Base one-way fares are $5, up from $3 in 2005.

[over3Owithabrain]

Not a peak times, it isn't. It can take over an hour to go from one end of the Strip to the other.

Having previously lived in Vegas for many years, I know of several streets that run parallel to the Strip and are just a block or two away. The tourists seemed to have never figured that out, but you can easily get from one end to the other on these roads (exiting at just about any hotel on the Strip) and avoid the unbelievably heavy "gawker" traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard.

[N. Theknow]

Another mass transit utopia goes kablooey. Somebody tell the young commies writing in all those alternative newsweeklies in all those Midwest cities that light rail, monorail, and public transit in general is not a panacea.

At least it is up in the air so it doesn't contribute to "used auto parts and organ donations" like the light rail in Houston.

[N. Theknow]

Casinos aren't as stupid as government and quasi-government agencies. Subsidies don't work.

If it moves, tax it.

If it continues to move, regulate it.

If it stops moving, subsidize it.

[Publius6961]

Not a peak times, it isn't. It can take over an hour to go from one end of the Strip to the other.

I've never been to Las Vegas. What is the distance involved?

[Cincinatus]

It's only about three or four miles from one end of the Strip to the other.

[Publius6961]

So, walking is a real option, unless all trips are from one end to the other?

[Cincinatus]

Sure. Ever walked 4 miles in 110 degree heat? (I know -- it's a dry heat!)

[massgopguy]

I only click on Monorail threads in hopes that this will be there.

[Polyxene]

Since gas prices have gotten so high, our genius politicians here in Ohio are now TALKING (what they do best)about a light rail system going from Cincinnati to Cleveland. And guess how much they are saying it will cost to ride this thing from Cincinnati to Cleveland? Approximately $200.00 round-trip! Even with gas prices at $3.00 a gallon, you could drive it for less!

[Paladin2b]

Cincinnati to Cleveland would by definition NOT be "light rail", it would be a new main line, probably high-speed TGV-like. Of course, that wouldn't stop some ignorant politicians from still calling it "light rail", because they think the term SOUNDS so green and modern...

[Polyxene]

You are SO right!