Monorail (was Re: Group Hotels)

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This posting is from: annie
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> Another advantage to the S-R is the monorail is just accross the street
> at the MGM. That give easy access to and from that area, as well as
> others onthe line.

The only problem with this is that very few DLV activities take place
within walking distance of a monorail station. There are only 6 stations
on the (first phase of the) line, all of them along the east side of the
Strip, with many gaps, particularly one big one between roughly the
Venetian/TI/Mirage area and the Stardust/Riviera area.

If you look closely at the DLV 2004 activity map, you'll see that the
monorail line is indeed shown. When I wrote up the directions to the
various venues, only a handful of them were practical via monorail, the
more notable being the daily Lunch With Ginger and the various things
that took off from the San Remo.

I also question whether a significant number of our people would take
the monorail. Many are still too shy to be comfortable taking a taxi.

Also, IMAO, the monorail is overpriced. A semi-recurring thread on the
newsfroup emphasizes that it's about a wash, price-wise, for a typical
tourista couple to rent a car or rely on the monorail with an occasional
taxi ride.

Plus, I understand at least at first it will not be 24x7 as was
originally announced.

>(That is if they get it running by next year) ;))

They tell me (the ubiquitous "they") that the firm (Bombardier?) is
being penalized something like 5 figures per day for each day the system
is not open for revenue service.

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This posting is from: Ginger
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Guess I missed or forgot about the monorail information on the activity
map.

Seems to me that taking the train is lots easier than a cab since you
don't have to interact with anyone to pay, get on, and get off. I
remember my first Las Vegas solo cab ride, something I've done only
occasionally in my whole life; remember I live in the rural south. I
gave the cab driver a note with my destination printed on it. He studied
it and in broken English said, "Read please!" I read the address to him
and he responded by asking me how to get there. Now I really have a
problem, I'm in a cab with a driver who speaks very little English, we
are both lost in a city I know nothing about, and since I was depending
on the driver I don't have a map! So much for my plans to travel
inconspicuous and avoid the stress of finding places in a new city!

At least the bus driver knows the way and a train has to go where the
tracks take it. Mass transit only requires taking the correct route. To
find the correct route you can call on the phone or inquire at the
hotel's concierge desk, or what passes for the concierge desk at hotels
like the Sahara!

The good thing about my first solo cab ride was that I survived and
since then they have all been easy......and I always carry my AAA map
with me just in case!

Ginger

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This posting is from: jamie
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Ginger, I had the same problem in Athens several years ago. We took the
bus from the hotel that we were staying in to the city, close to the
Acropolis. After touring all day we flagged a cab to take us home to the
hotel. We go in the cab a told the driver the hotel name and he just
gave us a dunb look. He did not speak english and we had no idea where
the hotel was, except thatit was close to the airport. We ended up
driving around untill we found it. So much for Cabs!!!! I find that
trains are very good public transit, as long as you understand the
routes and schedules. Jamie R

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This posting is from: jamie
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>My only concern would be our people riding the monorail in groups.

When I ride rail transit while enfemme, I apply the "Restroom Rules" Get
on, sit down, be quiet, and get off at your destination. The "small
group (less than 4) also applies. I have used this succesfully in NYC,
N.J. Rail and New Orleans. Jamie R

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This posting is from: annie
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> Guess I missed or forgot about the monorail information on the activity
> map.

It was on there if you looked closely, but I removed the instruction on
the directions after the open date was changed from April 1 to Real Soon
Now.

> Seems to me that taking the train is lots easier than a cab since you
> don't have to interact with anyone to pay, get on, and get off. I

Yes, but the taxi goes where you say, the train goes where the tracks
say. :)

> At least the bus driver knows the way and a train has to go where the

I've only ridden the city bus once in Las Vegas, and it was slow and
crowded. Pedestrians on the Strip were making better time. (Let's see
how I can say this next part without being politically incorrect and/or
offending somebody ...) Some of the other riders, particularly those who
were male, late teen-early 20, were not the type that gives you that
warm fuzzy feeling, if you know what I mean.

I know some of our people have taken the bus without incident, but I
would only recommend it to those who have a high confidence level.

The monorail, on the other hand, will most likely be ridden mostly
by tourista and convention types.

My only concern would be our people riding the monorail in groups.

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This posting is from: Michelle Jenkins
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Hi

> Plus, I understand at least at first it will not be 24x7 as was
> originally announced.
>
>> (That is if they get it running by next year) ;))
>
> They tell me (the ubiquitous "they") that the firm (Bombardier?) is
> being penalized something like 5 figures per day for each day the system
> is not open for revenue service.

The monorail was running nearly the the entire time I was there, except
for the first few days, including fairly late into the night. It had no
passengers but it seemed like there were quite a few trains running, as
though they were testing the control systems etc. The announcements at
the IP station were working, as each train came and went.

Just looking round though there were quite a few unfinished items at
various stations, such as the tiles on the LV CC station. The underlying
infrastructure all seemed to be there and was being tested.

My guess would be an opening any day.

As to the cost, it seems expensive on the face of it but when you
combine it as transport system, a tourist attraction almost in its own
right and the even the current minimal number of stops I would think it
will be well utilised. After all it gets all us drunks off the roads as
well!

Hugs
Michelle

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This posting is from: annie
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> When I ride rail transit while enfemme, I apply the "Restroom Rules" Get
> on, sit down, be quiet, and get off at your destination. The "small
> group (less than 4) also applies.

I think a number of the Pinkfest people got comfortable riding the El
and subway last year. (One admitted to me that she had never ridden a
subway before.)

I think the maximum we had in any group on the train was 3, and I don't
remember anybody getting any strange looks.

>I have used this succesfully in NYC, N.J. Rail and New Orleans. Jamie R

I've never had any trouble on the subway in NYC. Of course I know which
lines to avoid. :) Also ridden the light rail in San Jose and did not
feel uncomfortable.

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This posting is from: anya black dupree
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Dear Friends, The Robert N. Broadbent Las Vegas Monorail has reopened to
the public. At this time single ride tickets are $3 and all day passes are
$10.

I have used the monorail twice. It would surely be a good method to
travel north and south along the Strip.

Sincerely, ANYA, here in cold Las Vegas.

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