Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
To Red Rock by bus
The new Sahara Express bus is a comfortable ride from the area around the old Sahara casino all the way to Red Rock.
Board friend Pluto from Scotland describes the route this way:
We caught the SDX (Strip and Downtown Express) from the side of Binion's Hotel and got off at the old Sahara Hotel. Then we walked round to the nearby McDonald's and the bus stop for the SX (Sahara Express) is just outside of it. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Red Rock on that bus so we normally take a newspaper and a book with us to read on the bus. It stops right outside Red Rock and the return stop is just across the road. To save waiting at bus stops for too long we buy a timetable when we first arrive so that we know what time the buses are due and I would say that overall the buses usually run on time.
Here is the route and schedule:
http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/themes/rtc/pdf/12/SX(09-30-12).pdf
Board friend Pluto from Scotland describes the route this way:
We caught the SDX (Strip and Downtown Express) from the side of Binion's Hotel and got off at the old Sahara Hotel. Then we walked round to the nearby McDonald's and the bus stop for the SX (Sahara Express) is just outside of it. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Red Rock on that bus so we normally take a newspaper and a book with us to read on the bus. It stops right outside Red Rock and the return stop is just across the road. To save waiting at bus stops for too long we buy a timetable when we first arrive so that we know what time the buses are due and I would say that overall the buses usually run on time.
Here is the route and schedule:
http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/themes/rtc/pdf/12/SX(09-30-12).pdf
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Bus Passes that are all access
I received three reports from well done interviews of BTC clerks and the news on
15 day and 30 day passes is that they are all access without the need for a
local ID. Senior passes of course demand the senior ID.
Here is the note from Weas:
Hi Dewey,
Just back from Vegas. I went to the BTC on Sat. 10-12. I spoke with Cristy. She indicated the 15 day reduced fare ticket was good on all routes including Duece, SDX. I asked her this twice and twice asked don't you need a local NV ID for it to be valid on Deuce and SDX, she said, "No, only a senior id."
She also said all denomination of coins are good on the bus, although she didn't know about the Sacagawea dollar coins. She asked how long I was in Vegas, and I said, "5 days." She indicated I would come out much better buying the 15 day reduced fare ticket for $17.50. I once again asked about it being all access and she said," Yes."
I obtained my senior fare id, in the past I have been able to obtain the old 5 day pass at Walgreens with my DL and medicare card.
Although I had a car my first four days, I returned it on Wednesday and took the WAX to the Suncoast. I put my $1.00 in and the driver wasn't interested in seeing my senior fare ID.
While downtown I notice a lady checking passes at Binion's stop and giving people information. Unlike a former poster she did not appear to have an attitude but was just being helpful.
I hope this information is helpful and valid when you go to Vegas.
.
************************************
Yes, very helpful indeed.
***********************************
Keno 60 reported the experience this way
Just got back. I am going to make this quick! Went down to Bus center asked about 15 day pass it is all access! I asked 2x and looked at the machine outside the center and it said all access! I did not try to use 24 hr. res. on the strip. I was able to purchase a 5 day at the Walgreens downtown and they said they would sell them till they ran out! I questioned and they said " if it doesn't work bring it back".
***************************************
And Pebbles too asked the questions and received similar answers:
Pebbles wrote: "I went to ask the other day and they assured me that the 15 day and 30 day passes were indeed all access. All the shorter duration passes require local ID. "
**************************************
I'd say that this puts to rest any worry until the next time the schedules and rates change, certainly no sooner than a year from now.
Many thanks to all three of these investigators. Note the 24 hour residential pass still requires a local ID and the fact that the website chart forgets to star the 15 day pass is just an error, perhaps intentional.
http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fare-information/
15 day passes for seniors at $17 sure beats a 3 day strip pass at $20.
These can be purchased in machines at the SSTT, at the BTC, or at the downtown Walgreen's as well as many other vendors around the city. Most don't overlap much with tourist itineraries, but taking the 109 from the airport to Flamingo will put you near a Walgreen's and an Alberson's that would sell them a pass for the rest of the journey. Here is the list of vendor's. Always call ahead and ask if they still have them.
http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fare-i...s-around-town/
And I think the promotion that gives you breaks in downtown eateries if you show you bus pass is still in effect. Four Queens especially honors these passes although for seniors it is a wash because they discount seniors at the same rate. Check with the provider to see if they will give the discount. Call before you go if you can. Sometimes it takes them a while to check this rarely used coupon deal.
Thanks again Keno60, Pebbles, and Weas.
*************************************************
Oh, just a note on the Sacajawea dollar coin. It does work in the bus coin boxes. Some riders find it easier to carry and drop coins when their hands are full than to fiddle with threading a dollar through the machine.
Here is the note from Weas:
Hi Dewey,
Just back from Vegas. I went to the BTC on Sat. 10-12. I spoke with Cristy. She indicated the 15 day reduced fare ticket was good on all routes including Duece, SDX. I asked her this twice and twice asked don't you need a local NV ID for it to be valid on Deuce and SDX, she said, "No, only a senior id."
She also said all denomination of coins are good on the bus, although she didn't know about the Sacagawea dollar coins. She asked how long I was in Vegas, and I said, "5 days." She indicated I would come out much better buying the 15 day reduced fare ticket for $17.50. I once again asked about it being all access and she said," Yes."
I obtained my senior fare id, in the past I have been able to obtain the old 5 day pass at Walgreens with my DL and medicare card.
Although I had a car my first four days, I returned it on Wednesday and took the WAX to the Suncoast. I put my $1.00 in and the driver wasn't interested in seeing my senior fare ID.
While downtown I notice a lady checking passes at Binion's stop and giving people information. Unlike a former poster she did not appear to have an attitude but was just being helpful.
I hope this information is helpful and valid when you go to Vegas.
.
************************************
Yes, very helpful indeed.
***********************************
Keno 60 reported the experience this way
Just got back. I am going to make this quick! Went down to Bus center asked about 15 day pass it is all access! I asked 2x and looked at the machine outside the center and it said all access! I did not try to use 24 hr. res. on the strip. I was able to purchase a 5 day at the Walgreens downtown and they said they would sell them till they ran out! I questioned and they said " if it doesn't work bring it back".
***************************************
And Pebbles too asked the questions and received similar answers:
Pebbles wrote: "I went to ask the other day and they assured me that the 15 day and 30 day passes were indeed all access. All the shorter duration passes require local ID. "
**************************************
I'd say that this puts to rest any worry until the next time the schedules and rates change, certainly no sooner than a year from now.
Many thanks to all three of these investigators. Note the 24 hour residential pass still requires a local ID and the fact that the website chart forgets to star the 15 day pass is just an error, perhaps intentional.
http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fare-information/
15 day passes for seniors at $17 sure beats a 3 day strip pass at $20.
These can be purchased in machines at the SSTT, at the BTC, or at the downtown Walgreen's as well as many other vendors around the city. Most don't overlap much with tourist itineraries, but taking the 109 from the airport to Flamingo will put you near a Walgreen's and an Alberson's that would sell them a pass for the rest of the journey. Here is the list of vendor's. Always call ahead and ask if they still have them.
http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fare-i...s-around-town/
And I think the promotion that gives you breaks in downtown eateries if you show you bus pass is still in effect. Four Queens especially honors these passes although for seniors it is a wash because they discount seniors at the same rate. Check with the provider to see if they will give the discount. Call before you go if you can. Sometimes it takes them a while to check this rarely used coupon deal.
Thanks again Keno60, Pebbles, and Weas.
*************************************************
Oh, just a note on the Sacajawea dollar coin. It does work in the bus coin boxes. Some riders find it easier to carry and drop coins when their hands are full than to fiddle with threading a dollar through the machine.
trip report using buses
Sometimes to learn about the benefits of a place in this country, we need the intelligent resourcefulness of someone from abroad.
Like Scotland, for example.
This trip report has more bus details than the rest of my blog
http://blonde4ever.yuku.com/topic/25205/16-relaxing-days-in-the-sun
And it illustrates that Vegas visitors do not need a rental car to go where they want to go. They just need a bus pass.
They paid $65 for the pass that will cost me, at senior rate, just $30 for 30 days of unlimited, all access travel. No need to be awake for the ride let along sober. No tips expected. It is the best deal in Vegas.
Also, there are some interesting details on riding the bus to places most Vegas bus riders never try. It is a decent thread to gain some bus ideas and perspective.
Like Scotland, for example.
This trip report has more bus details than the rest of my blog
http://blonde4ever.yuku.com/topic/25205/16-relaxing-days-in-the-sun
And it illustrates that Vegas visitors do not need a rental car to go where they want to go. They just need a bus pass.
They paid $65 for the pass that will cost me, at senior rate, just $30 for 30 days of unlimited, all access travel. No need to be awake for the ride let along sober. No tips expected. It is the best deal in Vegas.
Also, there are some interesting details on riding the bus to places most Vegas bus riders never try. It is a decent thread to gain some bus ideas and perspective.
Monday, October 15, 2012
15 and 30 day passes are all access.
Board member Pebbles writes that she asked the questions of what passes were all access at the RTC and here were her answers
Pebbles wrote: "I went to ask the other day and they assured me that the 15 day and 30 day passes were indeed all access. All the shorter duration passes require local ID. "
Pebbles wrote: "I went to ask the other day and they assured me that the 15 day and 30 day passes were indeed all access. All the shorter duration passes require local ID. "
Saturday, October 6, 2012
From Keno 60 direct from a visit to Vegas
"Went down to Bus center asked about 15 day pass it is all access! I asked 2x and looked at the machine outside the center and it said all access! I did not try to use 24 hr. res. on the strip. I was able to purchase a 5 day at the Walgreens downtown and they said they would sell them till they ran out! I questioned and they said " if it doesn't work bring it back...
I was asked for my senior pass when I put a dollar in the WAX and said reduced fare. They had officers checking passes at the bus stop for the WAX, SDX near Binions"
"Went down to Bus center asked about 15 day pass it is all access! I asked 2x and looked at the machine outside the center and it said all access! I did not try to use 24 hr. res. on the strip. I was able to purchase a 5 day at the Walgreens downtown and they said they would sell them till they ran out! I questioned and they said " if it doesn't work bring it back...
I was asked for my senior pass when I put a dollar in the WAX and said reduced fare. They had officers checking passes at the bus stop for the WAX, SDX near Binions"
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