Kicking the Can Vegas-Style
July 5, 2006 | 12:47
pm
The monorail has had a lot of problems. At first they were technical but lately they've involved the more simple issue of not enough riders. But this is new. Amazingly, the monorail system had to be briefly shut down on Sunday after one of the trains hit a trash can. The can was tossed from the sixth floor of the self-parking garage at the Flamingo. That is quite an impressive throw. Sports teams might want to talk to this person once garage surveillance tape help police grab a suspect. 
It might have more riders if they didn't price it like an attraction. At that price, you can take a cab if you have more than one person.
Posted by: Ryan | July 05, 2006 at 01:48 PM
What's the deal with people avoiding the Monorail?! I think it's great! I often stay at the Flamingo or the Hilton, and it's so incredibly easy getting up and down the Strip with it! What are people's objections to it?
Posted by: KBM | July 05, 2006 at 03:04 PM
I love taking the monorail, although I think alot more people would use it if you didn't have to walk enormous distances to get to it. Imagine how many people would use it if it had stops directly on the strip instead of behind everything.
Posted by: dave | July 05, 2006 at 04:59 PM
Thousands of visitors (especially newcomers) to LV don't even know about the monorail. If you are staying at Caesars, Bellagio, Mirage, etc., how would you know you have to go behind Imperial Palace to get on it? The casinos haven't done enough to market it.
Posted by: David | July 05, 2006 at 05:19 PM
Charging 5.00 for someone to jump on the monorail for what usually is just a stop or two, doesn't make a ton of sense. With all the advertisements inside and out of the Monorail -- why are we still getting took for five a ride?
I like the Monorail alot and will fork over the 5.00 to ride it, but if you're in a group of 3-4, why not split the cab fare, get to your destination faster and possibly even save money doing it?
Posted by: Billy | July 06, 2006 at 12:00 AM
It's funny since the casinos funded the project that they do not advertise. Its faster than a cab, including the walk!
Posted by: John Jamieson | July 06, 2006 at 12:51 AM
I just got back from Vegas, and I have to say I understand why people don't use the monorail -
1) the per ride pricing is just too high for what a ride gives you - $5 just to ride a few blocks ??
2) those OBNOXIOUS advertisements coming over the speakers the whole time you are sitting there. I mean, over and over and over what sounds like the cheerleaders from Saturday Night Live are talking at you the whole time you are on the monorail. Some super cheery Susie and Sam sound just overcome with joy at the prospect of telling you, for the umpteenth time, "All hail Caesar! On the left is Caesar's palace with the blah blah blah blah and we love you and blah blah blah shops and restaurants blah blah"
THE WHOLE ENTIRE TIME YOU ARE ON THE MONORAIL YOU GET NO PEACE AND QUIET, JUST THE SOUND OF PAID ANNOUNCERS SOUNDING FAKE ABOUT CRAP YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT!!!
Posted by: Vegas Vinny | July 06, 2006 at 04:11 AM
Duh!!!! Connect it to the airport!!!!!
Posted by: james | July 06, 2006 at 07:02 AM
I took the monorail in June for the first time (it wasn't working on Oct. when I was there) and I didn't mind it at all. Yeah, I think the price is a bit higher than I would've expected, but it was worth the ride if you just want to get from point A to point B and do no sightseeing.
Posted by: Kevin | July 06, 2006 at 10:16 AM
I dare the LA Times to write 5 consecutive articles on positive, good things about Las Vegas. Why the obsession with the negative? Seems like petty jealousy.
Posted by: Sick of your negative crap | July 06, 2006 at 10:25 AM
bring your hiking boots and be in good shape trying to get from the strip to the rail
Posted by: sudden sam | July 06, 2006 at 10:42 AM
It used to be $3. At that price, it was cheaper (and many times) faster than taking a cab, and ridership was up. But at $5, if there is at least two of you, a cab is the better deal.
They're trying to get locals to ride - offering them a $1 fare, but most locals don't hang out on The Strip unless there's a concert. So ridership is still down.
It's too bad, but simple greed will kill the monorail and it's a shame. It's not only needed, but they need to expand it to the West side of The Strip, and to McCarran as well.
Posted by: bardgal | July 06, 2006 at 11:21 AM
An engineering feat in inconvenience. Difficult to get to from anywhere and then where it ends up you walk about the same distance.
Re-Design, maybe some planning anyone?
The strip should be car free and have the monorail running right down the middle.
Posted by: Phillip Harrison | July 06, 2006 at 11:48 AM
Connect the monorail to the airport and lower the price per ride.
The casino's in the area should chip in and help pay for the monorail rides. They make enough money from the tourist.
It would be to the casinos benefit, if they did chip in on the monorail fares.
More people would ride the monorail, if the fare was much lower, or even for free.
Posted by: Marvin Young | July 06, 2006 at 11:51 AM
I took the monorail at least several times. I am mixed about how I feel. On the one hand, they raised the prices significantly, now $15 for an all day pass while before it was $10. Yet, at the same time, I believe the taxi drivers are raising prices and one way ride for Treasure Island to NY-NY costs that much if you include the tip and the drivers are not too friendly.
Posted by: John Kang | July 06, 2006 at 04:48 PM
Been out to Vegas on business a lot over the last few years, and watched the monorail evolve - into a non-starter. Built too far back from the strip, so not to interfere with the high priced property - charging too much for familys to consider as transportation - and if you want to have the adventure of riding on a monorail, try Newark Airport - it's free, and the parts don't fall off...
Another 10 years, as the strip builds back to the East, the Monorail will be in the heart of things, but meanwhile, it's a non-glitzy oddity in a town that does glitzy oddities so well...
Posted by: Bill | July 06, 2006 at 05:26 PM
$5.00 . . . . .PULEEEEEZE!
It should connect to each hotel on the strip, walk out of the hotel (any hotel on the strip) a few steps away, "THERE IT IS"!
Posted by: Denise | July 06, 2006 at 05:55 PM
Give me a break. It's like asking Angelino's to take Metro to work everyday.
Posted by: Mike O'Connell | July 06, 2006 at 06:45 PM
The monorail was cursed from the beginning because of the stops and location. I am a local and have only taken a ride one time (from flamingo to MGM for a concert). I don't plan on taking it ever again. It NEEDS to connect to downtown and the airport.
Posted by: Jessica | July 06, 2006 at 09:17 PM
I just came back from Vegas and I could see it from my hotel room but we never did figure out where to board it....
Posted by: lido | July 06, 2006 at 10:19 PM
Were is the LA Times getting their info???
Here are some real facts...
On June 6, 2006, it was announced by the Las Vegas Monorail Corporation that Las Vegas Monorail revenues rose nearly 16 percent from the previous year, to $3,250,565 in April 2006. Likewise, ridership had also increased, from 563,823 riders in January 2006 to 704,527 in April 2006. New ticket distribution and marketing efforts had been implemented to continue the trend, including a ticket brokerage program that provided conventioneers with monorail tickets in advance and a national public relations program.
Posted by: Ron | July 06, 2006 at 10:55 PM
The LA Times is jealous of the excitement of Las Vegas and the tremendous tax advantages of living and working in Nevada. No State Income Tax..no corporate tax and no inheritance tax. Is it any wonder that Californians are relocating to Nevada.
Posted by: Ron | July 07, 2006 at 04:24 AM
Ron:
I totally agree with you. The tax advantages and cost of living is so much better in Vegas than L.A. A financial adviser told me that her one of her client saved $300,000 for establishing residency in Vegas legally because of no state income tax. This person who gets paid in stock options since he is a CFO established residency in Vegas and changed all his id. California board of taxation challenged him thinking he kept his gym membership here, but like a very wise man he changed it to Vegas and by being a Nevada resident, he saved $300,000.!!
Posted by: John Kang | July 07, 2006 at 08:04 AM
The Monorail is a beautiful system but should be completed to go all the way to downtown Las Vegas and perhaps out to the airport. I found the price too high when I could purchase a 24-hour unlimited bus pass for the same $5.00.
Posted by: Blair | July 07, 2006 at 09:02 AM
Ron:
Give me a break! Los Angeles jealous of Las Vegas excitement? (There is nothing Vegas has that LA does not, except awful summer weather)If someone leaves LA due to the lack of excitement perhaps they would move out of Manhattan due to lack of taxicabs. Economics aside,people do not leave LA often, specially not to Vegas, that is a weekend destination for us.
Posted by: Javier Aviles | July 07, 2006 at 10:20 AM