Las Vegas Transit

[Koastal Karl]

I am currently in Vegas right now and we have been riding double decker buses like the ones in Victoria up and down the strip for $5 you can get a day pass which is good for 24 hours after purchase. Last night we took the bus up and down the strip for a tour. Took quite a while but it neat. I dont like it when it's packed and there is no seating though.

I have photos which I will post so transit lovers can look forward to that. Havent been on any other buses though as we have just been sticking to the strip.

[Retrovision]

Thanks for thinking of us, Karl.

Now that's the way to do it; just like the concept of build it and they will come, popular tourist destinations seem to find the same result in the similar make it cheap and they will come concept. Have you gotten a chance to try the monorail yet? My dad, who's visited numerous times for their famous industry electronics show tells me that it's quite popular.

Enjoy the rest of your time in such a glamourous destination and enjoy your flight home. Are you flying your (and our) favorite WestJet, do they fly there?

[Koastal Karl]

We saw the monorail but we havent taken it or planned to take it. It only goes a short distance between a few hotels is what we heard. But for $5 for a day pass is great for the bus. But we walked alot of the strip today during the early afternoon cause the buses are so packed down in the middle of the strip. Could barely fit people on. It is crazy sometimes. I will post photos when I get the chance.

It is nice and hot here today which is awesome as it is just like summer in December. Not looking forward to going back to the coast tommorrow! We dident take WestJet this time. The deal was with Alaska Airlines which is a pretty good airline. I like them. Back to the coast tommorrow!

[kylefossett]

karl, can you place $50.00 on black at the roullette tables at the bellagio for me

[Neil]

What I want to know is... how was Celine?

I remember you mentioning on the Tachek last summer that the only thing you wanted to do more than ride on all the BC Ferries was to see Celine Dion live in 'Vegas. Hope she didn't disappoint.

[Koastal Karl]

I dont think Celine Dion is in Vegas right now. At least we havent seen her while we have been in Vegas!

Here are some shots of "The Duece" Funny name for a bus system, lol!










I must admit even though I am not a fan of buses these are pretty nice to ride on when they are not jam packed with people!

[Mike C]

Great photos Karl, I enjoy seeing transit it different places

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$5 is a good deal... in SF they charge $10 for a monthly pass

karl said:

But we walked alot of the strip today during the early afternoon cause the buses are so packed down in the middle of the strip. Could barely fit people on. It is crazy sometimes. I will post photos when I get the chance.

If you ever rode the 98 B-Line or 9 UBC buses (or the 319 for that matter, a bus I personally like to avoid altogether) in your travels to Vancouver, a new definition is put on the word "Busy." Sometimes, the bus can't even stop to pick up people, it's so jammed! I've had that frustration of being left behind. Retro, Coastal Skier, and Neil will all know what I'm talking about.

karl said:

Here are some shots of "The Duece" Funny name for a bus system, lol!

The Deuce LOL... reminds me of a certain character...

[Nick]

Those buses look vaguely familiar.... Looks like they are the same model as or at least similar to the Dennis double deckers BC transit uses in Victoria. I would agree that they are relatively pleasant to ride on, as long as they aren't overly packed. I normally hate taking transit, so that is saying something.

[Neil]

The photo of that Las Vegas bus just sets me off on one of my pet peeves- that while transit systems everywhere are moving toward more comfortable seating, and decent looking interiors, BC Ferries is going the opposite route, at least on their minor vessels. Look at the Kuper's lounge, for an example of major league ugly. Not to mention the stark, hard plastic seating. All of their minor vessels, when they come up for renewal, seem to be getting the same treatment.

I guess bus systems are competing with the private auto, so they have to offer something better than a cattle car environment. BC Ferries doesn't have to try. The minor routes are getting skinned alive with fare increases, and the boats, even new ones, are getting tackier. To cut BC Ferries a bit of slack: they have had a real problem with vandalism from high school students on many minor routes, and that may partly explain the move to such institutional interiors.

I see Las Vegas has double deckers. They're efficient carriers, people like them, and that's another way to coax drivers onto transit. Don't know why metro Vancouver hasn't moved to them.