So you think since your hotel room is located in one spot, that you'll have to go out in the heat, cold, and/or wind and walk long distances to get around to the other resorts? Think again. The Strip has thought of everything to make you feel comfortable. They have devised numerous way for you to get from resort to resort with minimal walking, less risk of facing the heavy traffic, and the quickest ways in comfort. Here are some for you to know about.
This mode between the three resorts is an electric powered, elevated monorail system that travels approximately one mile north-south along Audrie Lane on Bally's property, crossing Harmon Avenue and along an internal boulevard on MGM Grand's property.
The groundbreaking for the project occurred on August 25, 1994, and it opened on June 14, 1995. This project was solely financed by MGM Grand, Inc. and Bally's Las Vegas. There was no public funding involved. The monorail was approved by the Clark County Planning Commission and Zoning Board on April 7, 1994, and the Clark County Commission on May 4, 1994. The contractor was VSL Corporation, an international engineering and construction firm based in Raleigh, N.C. Project design, engineering, and project management was performed on-site by VSL.
Each one-way trip takes approximately 3.5 minutes including loading and unloading with the speed capability of 45mph. Two passenger station platforms, with elevators and escalators, are located via the Star Lane Mall near the MGM Grand porte-cochere and at Bally's on Audrie.
This mode of transportation consists of two monorail trains each consisting of six 40-passenger cars for a total capacity of 240 passenger in each train.
By the way - its FREE to all!!
How about some trivia on this monorail?
The history of the monorail is that MGM Grand Chairman Bob Maxey was viewing maps of the adjacent MGM and Bally's property layouts along the Strip between Flamingo and Tropicana Roads. The logic of a connector between these two properties - one that might be extended in either direction - was obvious to him. He picked up the telephone, called Bally Entertainment Corp. Chairman Arthur Goldberg who said, let's do it, after just a few minutes of conversation.
The following picture of the monorail opening shows left to right Bally's Las Vegas President Darrell Luery, Nevada Gov. Bob Miller, MGM Grand, Inc., Chairman Bob Maxey, Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones, and County Commissioern Bruce Woodbury.
Mandalay Bay-Luxor-Excalibur Tram
On April 9, 1999, the Mandalay Bay Tram opened for the public after eight months of construction. This tram provides the fastest and most convenient link between the Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur. the tram is a twin-track version of Doppelmayr Cable Car's (DCC) "CABLE Liner Shuttle" automated people mover technology.
This tram consists of an elevated 2,749 foot (838 meter) long guideway and two completely independent shuttle systems running side by side. The guideway alignment passes above street level at a height of between 16 and 26 feet (five and eight meters). One system serves all four stations along the route, while the other provides an express link between the two end stations.
Each system is comprised of a train of five vehicles. The individual vehicles carry 32 passengers, thus each train has a total capacity of 160. The hourly capacity per direction per train is 1,900 passengers (for the express train) and 1,300 passengers with stops along the way. It is anticipated that the tram will carry an annual maximum of 26 million passengers in each direction. Line A with four stations can take 1,300 persons per hour per direction and Line B with no stops along the way can take 1,900 persons per hour per direction.
The vehicles are firmly attached to a hauling rope and run on pneumatic tires to ensure extremely quiet operation. The trains can reach a travel speed of 22.4 mph (36km/h), with trip times of less than two minutes between the end stations.
The stations have convenient access via escalators, elevators and stairways designed to ensure optimal flows of loading and unloading passengers. Generously dimensioned vehicle doors ensure that passengers can comfortably board or exit the train in less than a minute.
DCC spared no effort in meeting the challenge of integrating the tram into the surrounding infrastructure (skyline, parks with sculptures, etc). The elegant, futuristic design of the trains and guideway were specially chosen to comply with the vision of the customer Mandalay Bay Resort Group, for this project.
Dopplemayre Cable Car GmbH is headquartered in the Austrian town of Wolfurt, close to the borders with Germany and Switzerland. DCC North America, LLC operates from Silverthorne, Colorado.
By the way - its FREE to all!!
There is also a people mover that is similar to the ones that are in the McCarren Airport, joining the Excalibur and Luxor. This is entirely inside the two buildings in the comfort of a controlled atmosphere.
I have ridden in the monorail and the tram and they are comfortable and quick. They are also scenic in that on the monorail you see the back side of the Strip and what is behind the glitz. The tram shows a birdseye view of the three resorts. I'm hoping to have pictures of the two to show you in the future.
Bellagio-Monte Carlo
There is also a monorail that goes from the Bellagio to the Monte Carlo. On July 21, 2000, I had the pleasure of riding this monorail. Very smooth and a good view of the Strip is included.
Mirage-Treasure Island Tram
There is a tram that goes between Mirage and Treasure Island. I have no information on this tram but have ridden it many times.
The Strip also has incorporated over the street walkways to avoid the heavy and sometimes crazy traffic. These walkways are from the Tropicana to the Excalibur to New York New York to MGM Grand. There is also a walkway between Barbary Coast, Caesars Palace, Bally's and Bellagio. I found that walk to very useful while watching the water show at the Bellagio. The sidewalks were packed and me being only 5'2, good luck in seeing the show. I quickly ran up to the walkway and got a great view.
In 2001, the Riviera sent me information on the Las Vegas Strip Trolley. This trolley is just for the Strip and it runs 9:30am to 2:00am every day. The trolley costs $1.50 and it runs approximately every 20 minutes. The stops are Stratosphere, Sahara, Wet 'N Wild, Las Vegas Hilton, Circus Circus, Riviera, Slots-A-fun, Stardust, Desert Inn, Fashion Show Mall, Harrah's, Imperial Place, Caesars, Jockey Club, Bally's, New York New York, MGM Grand, Excalibur, Tropicana, Mandalay Bay.
Vegas stopped their downtown/Strip trolley.
Also at the Fashion Show Mall you can also catch the Hard Rock's shuttle. This shuttle now only goes between the Hard Rock Cafe and the Mall. It has ceased all stops to the MGM.
The March 2000 Trains magazine stated: "Las Vegas Talgo Coming: Amtrak and Nevada officials on December 14, 1999, unveiled the new Talgo trains that will begin service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas late in the year. Amtrak will fund part of the $28 million in Union Pacific track improvements over two years, and is working with gaming properties, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau, and tourism officials to launch the as-yet unnamed service, which will use leased 300-passenger trains. The UP work will include double track on Dima Hill in California, and a new station and tracks in Las Vegas near the Rio Hotel on the Strip." - Submitted by Bob Kaczmarek
In August, 2000, Bob Kaczmarek provided me with an article from Amtrak on the update of the train:
Governor Kenny Guin and U.S. Senator Harry Reid will be joined by Governor Tommy Thompson, Amtrak's Chairman of the Board, and Amtrak President George Warrington to unveil the custom-designed passenger train that will begin service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
In a study by the Texas Transportation Institute, congestion in Las Vegas was found to have increased by 50% since 1982. Los Angeles was recently ranked first in the nation for the worst highway and road congestion. Las Vegas was rated 9th - tied with San Diego and Detroit for the worst congestion.
Auto travel to Las Vegas along the I-15 corridor is increasing. By 2001, the Nevada Department of Transportation projects a decline in the average speed to between 42 and 50mph over the route.
"The Los Angeles-Las Vegas service is the latest in a series of corridors Amtrak is launching where travelers are demand a world-class travel alternative to congested highways and airports. Amtrak's new service will tap into one of he busiest travel corridors in the country with clear market potential for passenger rail service." - Governor Thompson"Amtrak service will play an important role in increasing tourism revenue in the Las Vegas area. The service will provide an option to automobile traffic on the already congested I-15 and can supplement airline service that is already near capacity." - Senator Reid
Current plans call for one daily round rip between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with one intermediate stop in Montclair, Ca, a community east of Los Angeles. During the 5-1/2 hour trip, guests will enjoy on-board entertainment, wide comfortable seats, and formal and casual dining. Amtrak also hopes to add two additional round trips as consumer demand grows. The eastbound train will depart Los Angeles at 9:00am and arrive in Las Vegas at 2:30pm in time for local hotel check-ins. The westbound train will depart Las Vegas at 4:00pm and arrive in Los Angeles at 9:30pm.
In the coming months, Amtrak will construct a platform with a canopy at a location near The Strip. In addition, infrastructure improvements will begin along the 340mile route including the construction of 20 miles of second mainline track between Cima and Kelso. The trains will operate on tracks owned and maintained by the Union Pacific Railroad, the Burlington Northern Railway and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority. Although the trains are designed to travel 125mph, maximum track speed will be 79mph.
The custom designed and built Las Vegas trains will meet or exceed safety, environmental and accessibility standards. Assembled in the Seattle area by Washington-based Talgo Inc., a subsidiary of Patentes Talgo SA of Madrid Spain, the European-style trans offer seating for up to 300 guests, with space for wheelchair or mobility-impaired customers. The Las Vegas trains were designed in consultation with tourism officials, consumers, gaming industry representatives and Amtrak employees.
The Passenger cars offer two and two seating with a center aisle and table seating for families or business groups. Each of the six standard coach cars can accommodate 36 guests, while the two accessible standard cars accommodate 19 guests. There are also special coach cars, available to groups including gaming properties, which offer roomier two and one seating across and wider aisles than standard coach service. One special coach car accommodates 26 guests, while one accessible special car accommodates 18 guests. Both standard and special coaches offer customers a variety of amenities including:
The Bistro Car is like a traveling cafe and brewpub, providing guests a place to socialize. It is designed with casual counter stools or booth seats for 14 guests. The full-service bar will offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and such snacks as Buffalo-style chicken wings, fresh sandwiches, salads and soups. A custom-designed ceiling features a replica of the Nevada desert at night with fiber optic lighting representing the evening stars.
The dining car provides a formal dining experience and seats up to 30 guests. Tables will feature linens, fresh flowers, china and glassware. The menu will offer regional gourmet selections including a variety of quality wins by the bottle or glass. Eastbound service features brunch/lunch, while westbound service offers dinner.
The baggage car is designed to accommodate oversized baggage, bicycles, express packages and an Amtrak crew workstation.
In late 2001, plans were going on for a bus/train/monorail for the Strip which should be completed in 2003. A contest was held to name the vehicle. The French, from whom the county's Regional Transportation Commission is buying the sytem, call it the Civis.The contest received 2,800 ideas. The winning name is MAX - Metropolitan Area Express, suggested by UNLV student Casey Hill, who won $500 for the name.
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