Bus passes now at Walgreen's

[ddechenne]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Thanks Ken.

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ddechenne: I never have gone to the South Transfer Station. At one time we could get everything there, then they cut back on live services. I am not certain what is left. The best is to call RTC and ask or perhaps someone else here knows. Of course at the BTC downtown you can get whatever you need.
Also, what I reported as happening in September is just what I read that is planned as of today. It could change. Keep going on their website to see what happens. They might rescind this unfair practice or put it off until after your trip. During these changing times we just don't know what they might decide or when. I think even some locals may be bothered by what amounts to a raise in fares for seniors and disabled who buy in strip vending machines.

Called the SSTT and they said you could get discounted-fare passes during normal working hours, which she defined to me as 7am to 6pm. We are arriving at McC and staying on the strip, so i think we will just take the 109 Sough to SSTT and get the 3-day pass, and then catch the SDX to our Strip hotel----but will check the vending machine before we do. Thanks D. always great info on the bus system.

[dewey089]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Thank you. You did the work on this one. Don't have too much luggage if you plan on the SDX to your hotel.

[ronald9769]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Dewey, What is the WAX that you take from the airport to Fremont St?

[westie]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

WAX is an acronym for Westcliff Airport Express. Here is the current schedule as of December 2010:

http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/route/...1-07-10%29.pdf

[keno60]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

You could get off the 108 and walk about 2 blocks East on Flamingo to Maryland and you will see a machine and a Walgreens on the Northwest corner.

[dewey089]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Thanks Keno. Your post was made yesterday with current information, but readers should note that the rest of the thread is a year old. Things change yet again on September 30 of 2012. The 5 day pass is replaced by a 15 day pass. I assume that the 15 and 30 day pass are still going to be sold at the Vendors we have been using, both those around Flamingo and Maryland and the Walgreen's downtown.
I am hoping that they will continue to be all access for tourists as well as locals, that no local ID is needed to use them on the Deuce and SDX. However, nothing official from the RTC has confirmed that. I don't get answers when I ask.
If anyone is face to face with a clerk at the BTC (Christine is my choice as she knows what she is talking about) ask about tourists using the new 15 day passes and the 30 day. Seniors especially get a huge savings if they can buy long term passes rather than pay top dollar for strip buses at the machines along the strip. Calls, emails, Facebook posts on this issue have all been ignored. The RTC does a huge amount of outreach to the local community, but very little to tourists except to promote traveling by 3 day $20 passes.

Here are the new rates to be imposed on September 30

https://www.facebook.com/rtcsnv/app_4949752878

[dewey089]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

One other update worth mentioning is that since my comments here a year ago, I have gone to the SSTT to get a 30 day pass and taken my luggage on the SDX to the Paris stop. From the airport I took the 109 South to the transfer station, bought my 30 day pass and then took the SDX to Paris.
The beginning part of the trip was easy. There were no crowds at the SSTT.
However, I carry a huge suitcase that weighs over 80 pounds. I boarded in the back of the SDX and by the time I wanted to exit the back was packed and the crowds trying to enter were thick. I had trouble getting out.
I had a similar difficulty going from the Imperial Palace to downtown by boarding the Deuce at Venetian with that suitcase.
Coming back to the strip from downtown was no problem. Buses were not crowded.
So, taking the 109 from the airport to Maryland and buying a pass at the Albertson's or Walgreen's there and then the 202 to the strip is a more comfortable route if luggage is large. Smaller bags that would not bump people or get in the aisle way work fine on strip buses, but during crowded times the larger bags do not because the areas to tuck them away from the other passengers are full.

The WAX is never crowded and designed better to accomodate passengers with luggage, having a wider aisle with seats facing the center and so even my large bag leaves room for folks to get by.

If I start my next 23 day journey at a hotel near Flamingo and the strip, I'll most likely take the 109 and 202 residential route rather than the strip buses.
But if it works out in terms of deals, I'll try to start my journey by going downtown first and then coming back to the strip for the rest of the time.
If I do the 109 to SSTT for the SDX, I'll board in the middle where I think positioning for an exit would be easier. Or I may even choose the Deuce. It is longer to ride the strip, but when I exit, I will not be faced with folks trying to get on and have time to get my luggage off without issue. There too the center of the bus, in those seats facing the center door is the best for me. There usually is a small open area next to those seats that will just accomodate my large bag so it is out of the way for the journey.

[keno60]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Thanks for the info. Dewey I am going for 5 days in Oct. and staying at Terribles the first night. So the next morning I am going to walking east on flamingo and buy some 1 day passes $2.50 each at the Albertson's which is just past the Walgreens and a machine. I will let you know how this works when I get back.

[dewey089]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

I don't think that the Walgreen's sells one day passes, just the 15 and 30 day passes after the 30th.

Those are easy enough to be purchased by the driver of a residential bus. You don't need a local ID, you just can't technically ride the Deuce and SDX with only a residential pass.

Starting at Terribles is good strategy for bus riders. You can access that hotel by free shuttle and then walk down and buy a long term pass. And I like Flamingo. Using the bus there we have access to everything from the Palms and Gold Coast to Eastside Cannery where the 202 stops right outside the parking lot.
Here are the eateries I noted on one of my last trips mvoing East to West

SchnitzelPanda 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
Note too that we can transfer to the Centennial Express at Maryland to take us downtown. The schedule needs attention or there is a long wait for this one. it does not run from a bit after 11 PM until about 7AM
SchnitzelPanda 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
Note too that we can transfer to the Centennial Express at Maryland to take us downtown. The schedule needs attention or there is a long wait for this one. it does not run from a bit after 11 PM until about 7AM

http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/wp-...(05-20-12).pdf

Note too that there is a library along the Flamingo route. I think it is at the Algonquin stop.
Note too that there is a library along the Flamingo route. I think it is at the Algonquin stop. This can be a source of free wifi.

[keno60]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Thanks again Dewey. I had a plan now I will need plan B if I can't buy 1 day passes. After Terribles I am staying at the Gold Coast and then the 4 Queens. So I have to do some more checking.

[dewey089]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

One day passes are easy to buy when you board the bus from the driver with exact change. Maybe I was not clear in the last post. So it should be easy enough unless you want to ride the strip buses and are worried you'll get checked.

From Terribles to the Gold Coast is simple.

From the Gold Coast to downtown is harder but not that bad. If you want to stay residential, take the 202 back to Terribles and the 108 to the airport, and then grab the WAX to downtown. All that can be done on a residential 24 hour pass.
Of take the 202 to Swenson, the 108 downtown, and then some other bus from the BTC.
I better like the Paradise route, especially with luggage. That Swenson stop can be a bit sketchy at times.

Patching together residential passes used only when needed will be cheap.

[keno60]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Thanks again Dewey I will be sure to give you any new information I pick up on the trip.

[keno60]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

Terribles for the last 5 years was my go to casino hotel in 2011 I stayed there on 4 different trips. But they have downgraded their VP slowly but surely so that there is no longer 9/6 JOB. And they are inconsistent and deceptive with the using of points for rooms. Therefore I have downgraded the amount of play I give them. They still have club advantages like pts. to comp dollar and pts. to cash. A good breakfast plate and angus burger are also winners. I used to love the gambling walk from there to the Tuscany, Ellis, and up to the Strip.

[dewey089]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

I can't seem to make a trip while the ACG coupon is working or I'd go there directly from the airport. Free shuttle, and good safe, and easy access to the strip. I just never get a price low enough to justify going. it may be even more tempting now that the 202 is increasing buses. We'll see what that really means.

I like the pool too.
And I have liked the buffet because it was so cheap. I'm not sure since I went on this super strict diet, but I'll bet it still is a good place to grab a cheap bite even for me. I do remember that breakfast included plenty of melon.
Generally, I end up there for lunch on my last day in town. From there I can better predict how long it will take me to bus to the airport and I usually have to exit the hotel long before my trip. I roll my luggage right in the buffet and generally they give me a place to eat where I am close to my suitcase while I get food. I sit and write up the end my trip and just relax until it is time to go. I play off a matchplay and head out to the 108.

Flamingo more and more becomes my new strip.

[keno60]

Re: Bus passes now at Walgreen's

One day passes are easy to buy when you board the bus from the driver with exact change. Maybe I was not clear in the last post. So it should be easy enough unless you want to ride the strip buses and are worried you'll get checked.

From Terribles to the Gold Coast is simple.

From the Gold Coast to downtown is harder but not that bad. If you want to stay residential, take the 202 back to Terribles and the 108 to the airport, and then grab the WAX to downtown. All that can be done on a residential 24 hour pass.
Of take the 202 to Swenson, the 108 downtown, and then some other bus from the BTC.
I better like the Paradise route, especially with luggage. That Swenson stop can be a bit sketchy at times.

Patching together residential passes used only when needed will be cheap.

Dewey, Can you buy more than 1- 24 hour pass on the residential buses. Do the Walgreen's, Albertson's sell them? Thanks