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-   -   Las Vegas Subway needed (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/las-vegas-subway-needed-831659/)

osakaorchid Mar 18th, 2010 10:30 PM

Las Vegas Subway needed
 
I just got back from a week long stay in Las Vegas. This was my 3rd trip in the past 6 years. The noticeable difference about this trip was the apparent need for a subway system and/or a transportation system to assist with the ever large influx of pedestrian visitors on the strip.

The duece bus system was great and largely effective when I visited in 2007. I had no issues with it. However, on this recent trip, it was very much overcrowded. I was packed into the overcrowded bus with other riders like sardines in a tin can. It was ridiculous.

It seems all the city of Las Vegas cares about is erecting as many luxurious resorts as they can, and they have totally forgotten about the majority of its visitors...those flocks of pedestrians migrating along the strip.

this is clearly an issue of money over masses, and its one i feel will eventually devastate Las Vegas if it continues to go ignored.

In 2007, the price of a 24 hr Deuce pass was a mere $5.00, today it was $7.00. The price of a one-way shuttle from McCarran to a strip hotel was $6.00 in 2007, today it is $6.50.

The quality hasnt improved, and the cost if fuel hasnt really fluctuated that much in the past 3 yrs, so theres really no valid reason for the increase, other than greed.

Sure, you could argue that the economy has taken a dive, but that doesnt explain the recent opening of the Aria, or any of the other large scale resorts that have or will soon open.

Theres too many cars on the strip and too many pedestrians on the sidewalks. A big change that I noticed was the new crosswalks that passed over the intersection at Las Vegas Blvd at Harmon. I guess the new goal is for the city to have pedestrian bridges like these built at every major strip intersection.

If they can build hotel resorts that are wonderous architectural designs that exceed into the billions of dollars along the strip, then theres no reason Las Vegas can not begin to build a New York style subway to effectively accomodate its pedestrian masses and curb its eye-sore oversight on this overdue issue.

abram Mar 19th, 2010 02:35 AM

I don't think of LV as having built those hotel resorts--I think of them as prvate, for-profit companies. I also think that the business might prefer that pedestrians walk along the Strip so they will spend money at those businesses along the way.

tekwriter Mar 19th, 2010 03:27 AM

I don't think you get what brings people to the Strip... most people WANT to be on foot on the Strip, don't you think? A subway would totally defeat the purpose of the Strip - it would move people TOO quickly, away from the casinos. So what if it's crowded! The goal of the casinos and stores is to bring people in and make money, not move them quickly away! People passing through the city for reasons other than shopping and gambling do not even go near the Strip - there are other ways to get around town than that one street. It's funny you should describe Las Vegas as not caring about the majority of visitors - it is a dream come true to see mobbed sidewalks and Deuce bus. If people get off the bus, chances are they'll go into a casino or store. Sounds like they all planned it perfectly! Don't hold your breath for smaller crowds or a subway - I'm surprised they even built the monorail!

sf7307 Mar 19th, 2010 08:54 AM

<<<Don't hold your breath for smaller crowds or a subway - I'm surprised they even built the monorail!>>>

Good thing hardly anyone uses it because it's so inconvenient! :-) (I completely agree with the other posters about the "need" for a subway. I doubt the casinos and the "powers that be" in Las Vegas would consider a subway a good thing)

321go Mar 19th, 2010 09:40 AM

tekwriter his the nail on the head: "most people WANT to be on foot on the Strip, don't you think?" I seems to me that a lot of visitors to LV enjoy standing on the strip looking at the hotels, watching the fountains at Bellagio, etc.

And the city government of Las Vegas hasn't built the hotels and casinos; as abram points out those are privately-built. And those private owners have no interest in funding a subway, and I'd bet anything that the taxpayers of LV (with high unemployment and foreclosure rates) don't want to fund such a thing either.

Citylghts Mar 19th, 2010 10:58 AM

"...<i>theres no reason Las Vegas can not begin to build a New York style subway to effectively accomodate its pedestrian masses and curb its eye-sore oversight on this overdue issue.</i>"

Yes there is and it's the same reason the casinos spent money to build moving sidewalks <b>going into</b> the building, but not <b>leaving</b>. Public transportation is financed largely through property taxes. Casino owners would be loathe to pay for something that won't increase their gaming revenue and would take potential gamblers to other venues.

Since many of the newer casinos are encouraging more pedesitrians along The Strip, the solution lies in reducing traffic on Las Vegas Blvd.

One solution would be to require auto entrances to be on the parallel streets like Paradise Road, Industrial or Frank Sinatra Drive.

Not only would this move much of the traffic, it would encourage the casinos to make the rear facades of their buildings (the side most residents see when they look out their windows) more attractive. The increased traffic on these streets would then attract other businesses and increase property values and thus tax revenues.

I realize this is a simplistic plan and unlikely to happen as it would require agreement from all the casinos, regulatory bodies and other entities then take years to implement after funding was found.

osakaorchid Mar 19th, 2010 03:14 PM

Yes there is and it's the same reason the casinos spent money to build moving sidewalks going into the building, but not leaving.

...youre referring to Caesars Palace, I assume. Yes, the have the rolling black carpet laid out at their entrance. Trying to leave out the same way and you confront a sign that bluntly advises you that its not an exit door and that the nearest one is located by the seahorse lounge by the coliseum alley (which trying to find signs pointing you in the right direction is next to nil). This goes along the lines of what I had mentioned earlier about LV only caring about money and nothing else. The casinos could care less if you find your way out the door, but clearly mark their entrances

sf7307 Mar 19th, 2010 03:18 PM

<<<This goes along the lines of what I had mentioned earlier about LV only caring about money and nothing else.>>>

What else are the <b>casinos</b> supposed to care about? How easily you can get out of there to spend your money somehwere else? They're not the United Way.

nytraveler Mar 19th, 2010 04:47 PM

IMHO if a 50 cent increase in price is really an issue I think that Las Vegas may not be the place for you- since it's all about losing large sums of money.

And the city doesn;t build those huge hotels - those are private businesses.

As it is LV has incredibly low hotel rates and those ghastly all you can et buffets for next to nothing. Don;t see why 50 cents should be such an issue (there's inflation everywhere)..

vegasnative Mar 19th, 2010 09:32 PM

Have you ever tried to dig a hole big enough to plant something in Las Vegas? It's the hardest ground in the world...caliche people! Not good stuff, a nightmare when trying to dig anything out of the ground. And you want a subway????? :) (sorry I,just had to)


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