Boulder Station to Fashion Mall via 203

This route takes about 40 minutes.  With the end of the HDX, it is great to learn some new routes along Boulder Highway that go to the strip.  I could see going to Boulder Station for an inexpensive buffet and then back to the strip for some poker.

Here is the source of the information
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98176

Laughlin for a day for $5

This company is still having the one day $5 trips to Laughlin.  Call and ask about a reservation and place of pickup.

http://www.sightseeingtourslv.com/las-vegas-tours/las-vegas-bus-tours.html

UNLV Transit Center opened

http://www.unlv.edu/news-story/rtcs-unlv-transit-center-opening-announced

Trip from downtown to Sam's Town now over 40 minutes but Fiesta Henderson closer

It is a much better deal now to grab the Sam's Town free shuttle at California.  That trip is just 25 minutes.  The HDX no longer stops at Nellis and the BHX is longer, with more stops and starts, and a pretty tough clientel as well.
However, the HDX can get us to Fiesta Henderson in a little over a half hour now.  That opens up the possibility of staying or playing there for part of a long trip. 

Good discussion of current bus thoughts and issues

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92020

Proof of being senior

Reports are that just showing a driver's license is enough to prove age and get a reduced fare.  Medicare cards are posted as enough proof.  Perhaps it is not necessary to get a photo ID anymore.

Bus bits from my trip in April/May

FIRST MISSED STOP

Coming from mid strip to the Four Queens on the SDX I missed my downtown stop because I was talking too much.  I easily got off at the Outlets and crossed the street for another bus that took me to the Binions stop.

 

FIRST DEUCE CROWDED MESS RIDE

After BoyzIIMen at the Mirage I was going to play Mirage poker until late, but I was on a list a long time and it did not look like anyone was leaving nor were they going to start a new game.  Also I watched the game and it was not exceptionally soft. 

So I walked to Venetian. 

I should have gone in and played poker for a while there to let late night Friday night bus traffic ease, but I thought I’d manage.  I saw a Deuce go by as I walked, and when I got to the stop there were two people ahead of me.  We watched 3 SDX pass us with uncrowded loads before another Deuce finally came.  By then there were too many people gathered at the stop to fit on the bus.

At the Venetian regular riders know that instead of standing right at the sign, we stand a bit farther North as that is where the bus door will open.  So I did that and got on the bus.  It was crowded and the driver was stressed with trying to make people move back and hurrying them as they left, threatening to close the door.  It is the kind of bus ride that is unpleasant.  Of course, I just went upstairs, found a seat, and rode along, but when it is possible, go to an SDX site. 

At any other time I might have walked to get the SDX, but my feet have been blistering and I had worn my sneakers rather than the odd slipper shoes I bought to free up the toes so I just had to wait. 

I was smart enough, however, to get off at Casino Center and Carson to walk up the 4 Queens, and so be without the crowd of Fremont exploring folks who would all get off at the last stop.

To exit from upstairs simply follow the stops and when the bus stops for the stop directly before your stop, be the last one to descend the stairwell with those getting off.  Then you have done the stairs while the bus is not moving and you are right there and ready to get off first at the next stop.

 

HDX/BHX  DOWNTOWN stops

It took me three tries to figure this out because I came unprepared with the latest changes. 
Once I just got on the SDX at Binions, went to the BTC and then switched to the HDX there.
An awful waste of time.
There is a redirection paper sign over on Ogden  at the regular stop across from the new Downtown Grand,  but it was hard to see and ripped in half by some angry bus patron, so that the Carson Street stop is almost impossible to read.


To get the HDX or BHX out of downtown (at least temporarily) go to the D pool corner (Carson and 4th) and kitty corner to the pool,  and down the block a bit South  on Carson is the pickup, marked by a cheezy yellow paper sign.
There is no shelter so it can get hot. It runs about every 20 minutes but it is best to have a schedule in your pocket and go five minutes early rather than wait longer. Guys waited and watched from the shade of the Fremont parking garage and then jay walked across the street. This is a bad idea. Every time I go to Vegas,  locals tell me about jay walking fines, and they are pretty hefty. This trip I found out that if you step off the curb and look down the road to see if the bus is coming, you can be fined for, "intended jaywalking." Because you might not have time to stay on the shady side of the street, see the bus coming and cross Carson with the light, I'd recommend waiting for the bus right at the stop.

If you are at the stop and look over at the D, you will see above the pool the huge poster of legs and high heels. Then directly across the street from you,  on the parking garage,  is a sign that says, "to Fremont parking".
Remember this stop is only temporary and once the construction is done on Ogden I expect the stop will go back to right across from the Downtown Grand (old Lady Luck) where it was permanently moved last year from across directly the street from the Gold Spike.

You can also catch the BHX up near the Western, but I don't much like being up there in that neighborhood.The dropoff on the way back to downtown is in the same spot, between the Gold Spike and the Cabana rooms.
Coming back from Sam's Town you can catch the HDX at Nellis. Or you can catch the BHX right in front of the Eastside Cannery and then switch at Nellis or walk to Nellis in the first place. The HDX is a lot faster, less crowded, and with fewer down- and- out folks riding.

 

Reflections on buses and overcrowding

I think these reflections are worth saving here.
They were in response to this discussion of buses.

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91493


My busiest bus ride in my last trip, which was last year, came when I decided to grab my 30 day pass ($32.50 senior rate) at the SSTT by taking the 109 from the airport. My first casino of the trip was Quad (Imperial Palace). I had no trouble getting at seat at the SSTT, but getting off at Paris was a real struggle with my overly large and overly heavy suitcase. The SDX was packed and more wanted to enter where I wanted to exit. If I did that again, I'd take the Deuce. It would be a longer ride, but getting on it first could get me one of those seats facing the exit doors, with room for the suitcase and a much easier exit since everyone would just be going out that exit.
Or were I to start a trip again with strip rooms (highly unlikely now that everything, even comps, have resort fees) I would take the 109 North to Flamingo, buy an all access pass in one of the places near Maryland and Flamingo, and then take Flamingo to the strip.

My next trip I'll start with bookings downtown, since the WAX is never crowded and a quick, cheap ride and the Walgreen's there is a good source of my 30 day all access pass, a fine value for a trip of 25 days.

Routes that are uncrowded are WAX, Centennial Express, Flamingo, Tropicana, and the new Boulder highway buses. That being said, if time is a great factor some of these can be long rides and we do have to pay attention to when buses run and when they don't.
I appreciate where Bigdogmom felt it was too long a ride to Boulder Highway along Flamingo.
From downtown now on the HDX it is just 16 minutes (give or take a few) to get to Sam's town from across the street at the Gold Spike. There is only one other stop, at Sahara, along the way. The BHX takes longer and stops often.
I like that HDXroute going out, but late at night it takes longer going back along Boulder. I am more apt to make a different plan, perhaps walk from Sam's Town to the Eastside Cannery and form their parking lot take the Flamingo bus to the strip, play poker until early morning and then take an uncrowded Deuce back to downtown.
Or I might ride up to Tropicana and take the 201 to the Orleans for Big Al's comedy, then the shuttle back to the strip for late night poker and an early morning Deuce ride back downtown.
I avoid strip buses when I can accessing from the residential routes, walking, using that free tram from Bellagio to Monte Carlo. There is another that goes from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay. And when it is inconvenient to go residential routes, early in the morning, then the strip buses are uncrowded.
Making loops seems the most effective plan for my needs, integrating the bus with those free shuttles.
I do think that having more time than money makes buses the better option than being in a hurry and worried about wasting time.
Actually, the best users of the bus I know are a couple from Scotland who come for a couple weeks and ride all over the place on all access senior passes, using American Casino Guide 2 for 1 coupons to eat cheaply at the outlying casinos, and playing penny slots (for just a few pennies) for gambling pleasure. It is amazing to me to see the value they get out of these all access bus passes. However, I think that they are good frugal travelers, have a good long stay (Usually at the Stratosphere which is another great place to catch buses) and perhaps a different attitude toward public transportation than Americans.
See one of those trip reports here:

http://blonde4ever.yuku.com/reply/226372/16-relaxing-days-in-the-sun#reply-226372

 

Another new transit center

http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2013/04/unlv-breaks-ground-on-new-transit-center.aspx?ref=university-transit-20130408

Federal dollars sure help the RTC.

Bus and Frugal TR

This is a year old but I'm just finding it.  The author tipped me off.  It is a great model of frugal Vegas travel using the bus system.  These folks are from Scotland.

http://blonde4ever.yuku.com/topic/23928/23-April-11-May-17-days-of-Vitamin-D

Bus disruption likely in July

http://www.lvrj.com/news/bus-service-disruption-looms-190645671.html

Bus pass places

BUS PASSES

The 15 day passes are available at the Walgreen’s in downtown Vegas.
Also here:
Albertsons
1300 E. Flamingo Rd.
702-733-2947

This is just East of Maryland and near the library.

Also passes are available at the Walgreen's just one stop West on the 201 from the Orleans.

A Trip n the 113

I have not taken this bus into North Vegas since I went to the library along that route to see Jean Scott in 2006 and hear her talk.

It would present some adventures

Old Mormon Settlement
Washington Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Take the 113 North from 4th and Carson and get off at the State Building
Along the way is a library, and the neon museum

For this one get off at Las Vegas Blvd and Cashman

Jerry’s Nugget can be accessed on the 113 too, but the MAX will also make it there. Both can be caught on 4th and Carson. Get off at Tonopah.

Tropicana and Maryland Laundromat

Thanks to board member and friend Pebbles for this laundromat located perfectly along Tropicana for those staying near that part of the strip or for those who want to access this from downtown Using the WAX

This is a nice, safe neighborhood and that is the hardest thing to find when trying to do laundry in Vegas.
And they have free wifi

Cora's Coin Laundromat
1097 E Tropicana Avenue,
at S Maryland Parkway,
University District
Area East of the Strip
Transport Bus 109, 201.

Naturally, there would be one convenient for the college kids.
From that spot it is just a ten minute walk to
Pinball Hall of Fame
1610 East Tropicana Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119

It is a 5 minute walk to:
Crown & Anchor British Pub
1350 East Tropicana Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119

a British Pub where $20 of VP play will get you a free lunch with beer. Nice Shepard's pie.

__________________

This trip to launder could also be combined from downtown with a trip to the UNLV campus.  I could take the WAX and then the 201 or I could take the Centennial express from 4th and Carson and it would drop me at Del Mar and Maryland, fight at the campus.  From there it is just a 10 minute walk to the laundromat and I'm betting with a decent campus map, that ten minutes could be mostly through the campus itself, seeing he desert gardens.

Coming back on the Centennial express always confuses me, but the stop is there somewhere.  However, coming back I might just like riding in to the strip and getting the WAX to downtown just because I don't really know the stop for pickup by the campus.  On my trip out I'd ask the driver to show me the stop for getting back.   Anyone ever ridden that one?

Sam's town tidbits

Since so much that I have to say about Sam's Town is about buses, I'll repost this here

* great VP including full pay deuces and 10/7 DB.
* American Casino guide coupon gets a free buffet with 200 points of play once a year.
* Sam's is one of the few places left with Silver Strike machines although the new coins are not made of real silver.
* Boyd card means points earned here can be used at Orleans, Gold Coast, etc. and vise versa.
* Young at Heart promos do point multiplication and cheap movies once a week for seniors.
*  Easy and quick bus ride from downtown.  Start across from the Gold Spike and take the HDX.  The BHX is slower and the one you need late night/early morning to return downtown. But getting there takes about 16 minutes as do early trips back on the HDX Check bus schedules to see when it runs. 
* There are also free shuttles from Sam's Town to the strip and to downtown at certain times of the day. 
[URL="http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-transportationdetail.cfm?transportid=2&map=shuttlemap.cfm?showmap=SamsTown.jpg"]http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-transportationdetail.cfm?transportid=2&map=shuttlemap.cfm?showmap=SamsTown.jpg[/URL]
As you can see there is a bit of service to the airport as well, but flights have to match the couple of shuttle times.
If I stay up there on Boulder at the end of a trip I am more likely to take the 202 from Eastside Cannery to Terribles, roll my luggage into the buffet and sit with coffee and food and my journal until I need to head to the airport, taking the 108 from there at Terribles.   But I don't like hanging about in the airport.  Terribles positions me so that there is a predictable time in riding to the airport.
* Any free nights earned at Sam's Town can be piggy backed with paid nights at Eastside Cannery where there is no resort fee, free room wifi, nice views in quiet rooms, and (for seniors) $10 off the rack rate making these nice rooms as low as $30 with no play.  Then check in check out from or to Sam's  is just a luggage roll.
*  I better like staying at Eastside Cannery and playing at Sam's.  The 202 ends up right in their parking lot and waits while the driver has a smoke.  I like that at night time because it puts me at a stop that is safe and well lighted and uncrowded.  I can watch for the bus from the casino circle at Eastside Cannery and have time to get to it long before it leaves for the strip or I can come back from the strip and be dropped off in a safe and worry free spot.
*bus rides to the strip are long, about 45 minutes, but there are plenty of things to do on Flamingo as well along the way.  During the day, dropping at Terribles and walking to Tuscany, Ellis Island and then to the strip is nice.  Also, no second bus is needed to go to the Gold Coast area for that casino, the Rio and the Palms.
Here are eateries I listed along Flamingo, accessible on the 202.  Here are eaties I listed a year ago on a trip:
Weiner Schnitzel
Panda Express
Zoba's Mexican Grill
Chill n yogurt
REd Lobster
Buffet Asian
McDonald's classic
Olive Garden
Blueberry Hill Dine
Long John Silver
Raising Cane
jack in the Box
Mint india Bistro (Swenson)
Bucadi Beppo
Ghandi
Mortan Steak House
Bahama Breeze
Hamap of Japan
Fogo de Chao
McCormic and Shmick (across from Tuscany)
lawry's Prime Rib
Tuscany Cantina
Flamingo is fast becoming my new strip as the upscale renovations on the strip push me out of my $  comfort zone.
* I can envision a cash trip that starts downtown at the Gold Spike (WAX from airport and luggage roll) heads to Sam's Town (HDX from Gold Spike) heads to Eastside Cannery (luggage roll) Takes a night or two at Terribles (202)  to see the newly renovated rooms and then uses their free shuttle ride to the airport after checkout and breakfast.  Such a trip even with no comps should put average room prices at about $30 with anything above that depending on higher weekend rates. Cover the weekend with a comp somewhere and it makes a cheap trip.
* I've stayed at the Orleans a few days, rolled luggage down Arville to Flamingo (30 minutes- that day skip the treadmill) or taken the 104, and taken that 202 bus out to stay at Sam's Town.  Stays near Flamingo or downtown can be easily followed with stays at Sam's because both the Boulder Highway buses and the 202 Flamingo buses are easy to ride with luggage, unlike stip buses which are more crowded and not as easily to negotiate with luggage.
* A large popcorn taken to the Sam's town movies can be refilled on the way out and taken to the room for a snack later.
* Best free show in Vegas and different every week.  Toast of the Town at 2pm on Thursdays.  Geared to an older audience and selecting the second string talent of Vegas, but they are often very good.  Comedy, dance, song, a live band, puppets...you never know. Also free drawings for small prizes.
*  Rooms were basic but checking for bedbugs was difficult because the mattresses are wrapped and rewrapped and then wrapped again.  Forget looking at the seams.
*  I don't eat this anymore but the McDonald's had a dollar menu and the quarter candy machines dispensed those wonderful Jelly Belly jelly beans
*  Walmarts is just across the street as is a Bank of America drive up ATM.  So retrieving room snacks and money is cheap.
*  Fine, cheap morning poker tournaments that are not hard to win. However, the cash games afterwards seemed to have too tough competition and a dull and boring mix of surly locals with nothing much of interest to say.  For cash poker Eastside Cannery has a 2-4 limit I like better.
* Nice place to start a bus journey to Sunset Station (BHX) or a visit to Henderson (HDX)  I like the Sunset bus stop on Boulder as a place to switch from one bus to another for different itineraries after that.
* Itinerary might look like this on Thursday:  Sleep at Gold Spike.  Eat breakfast, perhaps the great blueberry pancakes but perhaps not on the new strict diet. Walk across the street and take the bus to Sam's for the morning poker tournament.  After the tournament play Deuces or 10/7 DB earn free Sam's town buffet. See Toast of the Town show.  Walk down to Eastside Cannery for 4 hours of poker which earns a free supper buffet, or take the bus to Tropicana and the 201 to the Orleans for Comedy at Big Al's and a bit of play there.  Take that Orleans free shuttle to Bill's and walk over to play poker at Flamingo until early morning and then ride the Deuce back to downtown.  Walk up Fremont to the El Cortez and check the poker game there.  Then walk  out the back door to the Gold Spike to sleep. Note that getting around Vegas with Sam's Town in the mix is not that hard on buses.

old 5 day bus passes.

Keno reports that the 5 day pass he bought before they stopped selling them worked just fine on the buses.  Good news for those who thought to shop ahead.  There is no telling how long these will be good.  So far, so good.

5 day bus passes still being used

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85046

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




 

Another reason for riding the bus

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84794

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.