Bus fares probably changing and going up

[dewey089]

And the elimination of the 5 day pass is especially bad news for tourists, especially tourist seniors.

Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) | 2012 Proposed Fare Adjustment

[jgxtrav1]

Re: Bus fares probably changing and going up

Sad news indeed .... I loved the 5 day senior pass!

But I actually might save some $ if I plan my bus travel appropriately and only need/buy/use two (or three) 24 hours passes during my trips which are usually for 5-6 days.

[dewey089]

Re: Bus fares probably changing and going up

Officially, if you are a senior, a 24 residential pass with discount will not be good on the Deuce or the Strip. Officially you need a local ID.
The 24 all access pass sold in the strip machines does not have a senior reduction. You pay what everyone pays.
The 5 day pass did not require that ID. It was the bagain.
What residential passes in the new proposal might require the ID is not mentioned in the proposal.
And whether limiting travel by making do with fewer full paid 24 hour passes will be much cheaper that buying another will depend on the price determined finally after all the discussion. Implementation date now is September 2012.

The cheapest solution might be to bring a inactivated five day passes home and keep them for a future trip.

[jgxtrav1]

Re: Bus fares probably changing and going up

10-4. Thanks, Dewey.

I hope to get to Las Vegas in May/June. If I do, I'll check into buying a few 5 day passes (2 or 3) to use for the next year (?) or for however long they are good. I usually make 3 trips a year (one in Jan-Mar, another in May-July, and one more in Oct-Nov) so it would be nice to get in at least another year of using those fabulous 5-day senior passes.


By then, you will have had time to figure out and share the best of the new alternatives!

[dewey089]

Re: Bus fares probably changing and going up

Each time that the RTC has raised prices, they have also honored any passes that were previously purchased. Of course, we have no idea if they will do that, but I expect they will.
Just remember to buy those that are no activated. You can't do that at the BTC. You have to go to a Vendor like the Walgreen's on Fremont downtown.

I don't know how long you stay, but you might like to wait and see if the new 15 day passes end up being all access like the current 5 day pass. If so, that may be the new bargain.

Maybe you will know that by the time of your next trip.
Finally, go on the site and give them the input they allow there. It might make a difference.

I am a little more sure that buying 30 day ahead will save me money as the intent of this proposal is to raise that reduced fare price by 40% so even if they scale that back, I expect it will be raised.

[jgxtrav1]

Re: Bus fares probably changing and going up

Thanks again, Dewey!

I've been following your posts and your blogs for 2-3 years (maybe, longer). I've gotten almost all of my info for riding the bus in Las Vegas from those (and the RTC site). It was your posts/blogs which convinced me to try using the bus and, since then, I've been a very happy/thrify traveler in Vegas!

My trips are usually 4-5 nights so a 5 day pass usually works great for me. The 15 day probably won't do me any good.

I have been staying mostly downtown for the last 3-4 years so when I arrive at the airport, depending on which gets there first, I either:

1. Take the WAX north to downtown and get my 5 day pass at Walgreen's
or
2. Take a local bus south to the SSTT, buy my 5 day pass from a kiosk there, and ride the SDX to downtown.

Then I use the SDX, Deuce (but only when necessary), several local route buses, and many of the free casino shuttles to get around to where I want to go. Then, usually happy but exhausted, I take the WAX back to the airport and head home (South Bend, IN).

For what it's worth, I did leave some feedback at the RTC site. Hopefully, someone will actually read it. It was somewhat low-key .... senior, tight budget, fixed income, new rates and especially the loss of the 5 day fare may cause me to reduce my bus usage and my "days out", etc.

I hope they will keep the 5 day pass (even if they raise it) but, whatever, I'll adjust and decide what's the next best alternative. Of course, I'll be anxiously awaiting your view on those new alternatives!

Thanks again for all the help this time around as well as in the past!

[keno60]

Re: Bus fares probably changing and going up

I bought 2- 5 day passes at the Albertsons on Maryland and flamingo on 3/10, I walked right past on the way there a machine that sold them at the same price. I plan on using the other one this summer when I go back? I also contacted them this past summer about the unintended consequences of their changes. Thanks for all your help.

[dewey089]

Re: Bus fares probably changing and going up

Great to have options out there. It is a nice position for coming in to the strip or going to all those Flamingo casinos.