Las Vegas Monorail: Difference between revisions

{{shortShort description|MassMonorail transitin system inClark theCounty, UnitedNevada, StatesU.S.}}

{{useUse mdyAmerican datesEnglish|date=AugustApril 20192024}}

| logo = Las_Vegas_monorail_logoLas Vegas monorail logo.png

| caption = A Mark VI train of the Las Vegas Monorail.

| operator = LasWestern VegasManagement Monorail CompanyGroup

| map = {{Las Vegas Monorail}}switcher

The '''Las Vegas Monorail''' is a {{convert|3.9|mi|adj=on}} automated [[monorail]] [[mass transit system]] located adjacent to the [[Las Vegas Strip]], in [[Clark County, Nevada]], United States. It connects several large casinos in the unincorporated communities of [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]] and [[Winchester, Nevada|Winchester]], andbut does not enter the City of [[Las Vegas, Nevada|city of Las Vegas]] proper. Built at a cost of $650 million,<ref>{{cite webnews | url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-09-03/tourism-authority-buy-idled-las-vegas-monorail | title=Idled Las Vegas Monorail to be bought by city's tourist authority | websitenewspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=September 3, 2020 }}</ref> it was privately owned and operated by the ''Las Vegas Monorail Company'' until their 2020 bankruptcy when it was sold to the [[Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority]], a local government agency.<ref name="ktnv"/> In 20132022, total annual ridership was roughly 4.23 million, down from a pre-[[Great Recession]] peak of 7.9 million in 2007.<ref name="2022 ridership"/><ref>{{cite webnews |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/monorail-turns-surprising-track-record-ridership-goes|title=Monorail turns in surprising track record — ridership goes up|publisherwork=LASLas VEGASVegas REVIEWReview-JOURNALJournal |date=2014-01-15|access-date=2015-08-17}}</ref> The monorail is a registered [[not-for-profit corporation]], allowed under Nevada law since the monorail provides a public service. The State of [[Nevada]] assisted in bond financing, but no public money was used in construction.<ref>''See'' AMBAC Assurance Reply filed in In re Las Vegas Monorail Company, 429 B.R. 770 (2010) (Docket No. 169)</ref><ref>{{cite webnews |url=http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10586210&nav=15MUCBSd |title=Las Vegas Monorail to take a ride out of town? |publisherwork=KVBC.com |access-date=2014-01-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529015423/http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10586210&nav=15MUCBSd |archive-date=May 29, 2013 }}</ref>

In 2002, the original system was closed to begin its conversion to the current Las Vegas Monorail system. The beam was extended from Bally's station (now the Bally'sHorseshoe & Paris station) north to the [[Sahara Hotel and Casino]]. The track was extended south beyond the MGM station to provide for track switching for the trains, as well as a starting point for a potential future southern extension. The original trains were replaced with nine new [[Bombardier MVI|Bombardier Mark VI]] monorail trains.

On September 8, 2004, more problems with falling parts led to the closing of the monorail for nearly four months. It reopened on December 24, 2004. A number of repairs were made to the monorail cars during this shutdown. Each time the monorail system required major engineering changes, it underwent a lengthy "commissioning" process to confirm the effectiveness and safety of the repairs. Officials reported that each day the monorail was down cost the system approximately $85,000 in lost fares.<ref>{{cite web | title=Las Vegas Monorail Is Back on Track | work=Los Angeles Times | date=December 25, 2004 | url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2004archives/la-xpm-2004-dec/-25/nation/-na-monorail25-story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202030414/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/dec/25/nation/na-monorail25 | archive-date=2017-02-02 | url-status=deadlive | access-date=}}</ref>

| [[Bally'sHorseshoe Las Vegas|Bally'sHorseshoe]] & [[Paris Las Vegas|Paris]]

[[File:Vegas monorail 2007 with advertisement of "Monster energy" drink (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|[[Bombardier MVI]] rolling stock]]

The monorail uses nine fully automatic [[Bombardier MVI]] trains, each consisting of four cars. These are very similar to the six-car Mark VI monorails at Walt Disney World (which were operated by pilots until 2014). The guideway is built to the "[[ALWEG]]" track standard. For the first seven years, the line only ran as the MGM Shuttle, between MGM and Bally's stations. During this time, two ex-[[Walt Disney World Monorail System|Walt Disney World]] [[Mark IV monorail]] trains were used.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mouseplanet.com/mark/mg040130gm.htm|first=George|last=McGinnis|date=2004-01-30|title=Walt Disney World's Mark VI Monorail|quote=The approximate 1.6 km guideway of the MGM-Grand Bally's monorail line, which used two Mark IV's, will be integrated and re-equipped. These twice-retired trains were built in the '80s and since retirement from WDW have operated for over seven years in Las Vegas.|access-date=2008-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monorails.org/tmspages/archive021603.html|title=Las Vegas Mark IVs retire. (1/29/03)|work=News Briefs Archives - November 23, 2002–February 16, 2003|date=2003-01-29|access-date=2008-10-09|publisher=Monorails.org|quote=Two dutiful Disney-built Mark IVs retired for the second time Sunday night. Previous to Las Vegas, they operated for many years in Florida at Walt Disney World... designed to be a catalyst for a larger Las Vegas Monorail, which will be achieved when the current track is connected to a four-mile system under construction. New automated Bombardier MVI trains will run along the same tracks when the new line opens in early 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119130435/http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/archive021603.html|archive-date=November 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alweg.com/alweghome/alwegsheritageinlasvegas.html|title=ALWEG's Heritage in Las Vegas|first=Reinhard|last=Krischer|quote=So the development of the ALWEG monorail, technically described as „a rubber-tired straddle-beam monorail“, and its technology concept - today used by the now opened Las Vegas Monorail - originated in 1951 in Cologne-Fühlingen.|access-date=2008-10-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701014638/http://www.alweg.com/alweghome/alwegsheritageinlasvegas.html|archive-date=2008-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/TPBeams.html|title=ALWEG Beam Comparison Chart|publisher=Monorails.org|quote=[Type] Disney-Bombardier [type currently available for purchase] [Width] .66M 26" [Height] 1.22M 48" [Width at Endpoint] 2.03M 80" [Locations] Walt Disney World, FL (1971), Las Vegas, NV (1995)|access-date=2008-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanaut.com/Compairisons%20to%20other%20Systems%204.htm|title=Comparisons to Other Systems|work=The Urbanaut Monorail Technology|quote=The ALWEG monorail system is a 50 year old antiquated monorail concept... Examples are Seattle, Disneyland, Disneyworld and Las Vegas monorails in the U.S, and the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and several monorails in Japan.|access-date=2008-10-09}}</ref> Though the Las Vegas and related train equipment appear superficially similar to the original ALWEG design (as exemplified by the [[Seattle Center Monorail|Seattle system]]), their suspension and propulsion systems differ substantially. A Seattle train may be walked end-to-end which is impossible on a Las Vegas or Florida train. The ALWEG Mark VI system used in Las Vegas Monorail consists of two inline large truck tires per car that support the load over the concrete guideway with a rectangular cross section and eight guide tires that straddle the guideway from both sides.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monorails.org/tmspages/TPDissu.html |title=Disney/Bombardier suspension |publisher=Monorails.org |access-date=2014-01-17 |archive-date=December 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229012959/http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/TPDissu.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The total capacity of the four-car trains is roughly equivalent to two [[articulated bus]]es at 80 seated and 160 standing passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/TPDisro.html |title=Disney/Bombardier rolling stock |publisher=Monorails.org |access-date=2014-01-17}}</ref> The maximum speed is {{convert|50|mph}}, although that speed is only reached during one short straight segment of the line.

Phase 2, a {{convert|2.3|mi|adj=on}} long extension along Main Street to Downtown Las Vegas was planned, with new stations at the [[Stratosphere Las Vegas|Stratosphere Hotel]], [[Charleston Boulevard]], Bonneville Avenue, and [[Main Street Station Hotel and Casino and Brewery|Main Street Station]]. Construction was planned to begin in 2005 with service starting in 2008. However, the anticipated funding from the federal government was not allocated in 2004, so the plans were put on hold. On January 27, 2005, the federal government announced that it would not provide money for the $400-million project.{{fact|date=December 2021}}

The plan was to open the system in January 2004, and for it to cover its debts and operating expenses by attracting 19 to 20 million riders. Since the system was not only delayed in opening, but later shut down for four months, income was not as great as organizers had hoped. This reportedly is a contributing factor for the government's denial of Phase 2 funding.{{facts|date=December 2021}}

Phase 2 was revised to instead extend the monorail system south from the MGM Grand Station to McCarran Field (now [[Harry Reid International Airport]]).<ref name="lvmonorail.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.lvmonorail.com/about/expansion/ |title=Expansion |publisher=Lvmonorail.com |access-date=2010-08-27 |archive-date=January 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118001433/http://www.lvmonorail.com/about/expansion/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Providing monorail service to the airport has been an unpopular idea with [[limousine]] and [[taxicab]] operators in the city, as trips to and from the airport form a major portion of their business.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000929143000/http://www.gamblingmagazine.com/articles/06/06-13.htm LV cab, limo companies rap monorail]</ref> Several hotel and casino owners on the Strip supported the project, and were more supportive of an extension to the airport than one to downtown Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airport Extension |url=http://www.lvmonorail.com/corporate/docs/Neighborhood_Mtg_July_26_2008.pdf|work=Neighborhood Meeting|publisher=Las Vegas Monorail|access-date=26 April 2011|page=9|date=26 July 2008}}</ref>

When the monorail company announced details of the extension in September 2008, the airport extension was to be built with private funds and was expected to be built by 2012.<ref name="lasvegasnow1">{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=8980119 |title=Monorail Looks to Expand to McCarran Airport - KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las Vegas |publisher=Lasvegasnow.com |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2010-08-27 |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110044300/http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=8980119 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, as of March 2011, the Las Vegas Monorail Company was still in the planning phases of the proposed extension to Harry Reid International Airport with a proposed stop on the UNLV campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lvrj.com/opinions/las-vegas-monorail-didn-t-do-much-for-the-sahara-117991849.html|title=Las Vegas Monorail didn't do much for the Sahara|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=2011-03-23|access-date=2011-03-23}}</ref>

In March 2018, the Clark County Commission approved a proposed extension to Mandalay Bay, putting the monorail closer to [[Allegiant Stadium]]. The monorail company planned to start construction on the extension in June 2018 and have it completed by September 2020, in time for the completion of the stadium and [[Las Vegas Raiders]] inaugural season in Las Vegas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Theodros |first=Abby |date=2018-03-21 |title=Clark County Commissioners approve monorail extension |language=en |work=[[KVVU-TV|FOX5 Vegas]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |url=http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/37782122/clark-county-commissioners-approve-monorail-extension |url-status=live |access-date=2018-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525045223/http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/37782122/clark-county-commissioners-approve-monorail-extension |archive-date=2018-05-25}}</ref> In November 2018 it was confirmed that two new Monorail stations would be built; one at Mandalay Bay and another at the [[MSG Sphere Las Vegas(venue)|MSG Sphere]] with completion by 2021.<ref name="reviewjournal.com">{{cite web| url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/monorail-station-planned-for-msg-sphere-arena-in-las-vegas-1532702/amp/| title=Monorail station planned for MSG Sphere arena in Las Vegas| date=November 21, 2018}}</ref> In May 2019, it was revealed that lack of funding has delayed the start of construction on a Mandalay Bay extension.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2019/05/16/zero-support-from-resort-industry-for-funding-monorail-expansion/|title = "Zero support" from resort industry for funding monorail expansion|date = May 16, 2019}}</ref> As of March 2020, there is no timetable to begin construction on an extension nor a completion date.

* ''[[CityCenter#Aria Express|Aria Express]]''

* ''[[Mandalay Bay Tram]]''

* ''[[The Mirage-Treasure Island Tram]]''

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