This Is How I Roll
April 19, 2010
Today marks three weeks since the ACE Gold Line began running, and in that time, I’ve put the bus to reasonably good use.
I live only a short walking distance from an ACE stop, and so far I have used this new transit option numerous times to quickly shuttle me back and forth between The Strip and Downtown. While the ACE looks kind of silly, it’s more or less door-to-door service in the world’s longest limo for yours truly. Compared to the Monorail, it’s fairly cheap too, and it actually … you know … goes places.
Although a 24 hour pass for $7 probably would have saved me money over the weeks, I usually just purchase a $3 ticket that’s good for two hours since I use so many different ways to get around.
My own private car, the private cars of others, the Monorail, cabs, buses, a bicycle, my own two feet … I use every people-moving method this town has to offer, and more often than not, my mode of transit is a spontaneous choice. Because of this, I don’t like the commitment of a multi-ride pass.
For instance, yesterday, I took the ACE Bus from Rexville to the Mandalay Mile, hung out at the Excalibur and Luxor, crossed over to the MGM Grand, and came home via the Monorail because I was in a hurry.
Ironically, on the way back home, the Monorail broke down in the Convention Center station and I was forced to get off.
For the 99.9% of people who have never ridden the Vegas rail system, believe me when I tell you that there is no worse station at which to be stranded than the Convention Center on a Saturday while no actual conventions are taking place. It’s a ghost town for a quarter mile in any given direction. Fortunately, I got a ride within a few minutes, but were I a tourist paying $5 each way, I would have been pretty pissed off to be dumped in no-mans land without a refund.
Convention Center Monorail Station
Of course, the ACE is of little value on crowded weekends, but Monday through Friday, and when visitorship is fairly thin, it can work. It’s especially useful between Fashion Show Mall and the Premium Outlets.
Interestingly, the first time I ever really heard the ACE Bus was when I played this video back. When I am on mass transit, I have omnipresent earphones so that I don’t have to interact with the people around me.
One exception was made yesterday when a man and woman got on the bus with bouquets of white flowers. I hit “pause” just in time to find out that they had just gotten married, and were taking the trainbus back to their hotel. That’s either extremely cheap, or extremely cool … depending on who you ask.
In addition to doing some selective eavesdropping, I also recorded the entirety of my uneventful commute.
I thought about speeding the video up considerably, but there are probably one or two Vegas geeks out there who want the “real” experience, and let’s face it … in order to watch a ten minute video of a bus ride … you need to be a Vegas dork extraordinaire.
If you fit the above description, well, come along and take an ACE Bus ride from Rexville to the Excalibur Tram Station. The full trip actually took a total of 12 minutes, but I cut out stoplights and moments when the vehicle was stuck in traffic. That being said — about 90% of the footage is what it is. A virtual ACE ride. This is more or less what it looks like each time I get on the mean machine.
God Bless the Internet.
Now, people can ride the bus from the comfort of their own home while keeping their self-esteem intact.
What can I say, much like Jesus, I suffer for your sins.
You’re welcome.
Written by J. Louise on April 19, 2010 at 3:29 am
Rex, AWESOME! This was a trip down memory lane, as I moved away in 2004. The ACE, monorail, and so much new construction happened while I’ve been gone. It just was a great feeling to see the city again that I love (for what it is), and when I’m able, I sure would like to move back. l lived near the Strip and spent most of my time there, and loved it. Thanks!
Written by mike_ch on April 19, 2010 at 4:29 am
You couldn’t just walk to the Strip from the Convention Center?
Jesus On A Pogo Stick, man, I’ve done that. And I consider you much more hardcore than me, since I refuse to visit the Disputed Gang Territory Crime Spree Hellhole that is Luv-It Frozen Custard.
Written by par88 on April 19, 2010 at 4:29 am
That was cool Rex! I haven’t been there since they opened City Center so it was interesting to see the new stuff along that part of the route. I’d like to see the corresponding N bound ride if you’re ever inclined to record that one.
Written by Ted Newkirk on April 19, 2010 at 5:35 am
You can buy a 30 day pass online for $65, good on every bus (Ace included) in the area:
http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fare_passes.cfm
Written by Andy Steiner on April 19, 2010 at 8:17 am
I’ll bet that in another couple of months when the tourist season is in full bloom, you won’t find an empty seat on the ACE by the time it reaches the Strat station. Tourists heading to the Strip from Fremont Street will fill that train to SRO before it gets to Rexville.
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on April 19, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I don’t know why, but I watched the whole clip. Only because of interest in the ACE. I’ve seen them around town, but never been on one.
It confirms what I mentioned in an earlier post you had about it. This ACE bus system appears to be state of the art technology and IS definitely the death knell for monorail operations. I can see this catching on because it appears to have way more benefits; cheaper tickets, easy accessibility, safe method of transportation in Las Vegas and it definitely goes to more places. I’m convinced now that Chapter 11 is not going to help the monorail. They need to make plans to dig into that money set aside for dismantling next year. It is quickly dying off. An idea that failed. They can’t build on it to make it go to the airport and/or downtown, nor can they generate enough funds for it to continue daily operations.
I was fascinated by what appears to be a smooth ride on the ACE. As a local also, I know pretty much where big bumps and road defects are and the ACE seems to take it really well. I watched and your camera didn’t jump that much on some of the rough parts of the road on Paradise Boulevard and Las Vegas Boulevard.
Another thing that kind of amazed me is the acceleration that huge reticulated bus has. Pretty cool.
And lastly, I enjoyed watching you reach over for the ACE vagina and stimulate the clitoris….er…oops….i mean….hit the stop button.
Written by tully on April 20, 2010 at 12:33 am
The monorail could survive—even do well—if the RTC could take control of it. They could coordinate it with the ACE, and include access to it in daily/weekly passes for the rest of the transit system. Do away with the never staffed service booths and replace them with information/ticket dispensing kiosks at every station—maybe even near hotel registraion. And promote the thing. It would provide the speedy access between Sahara and MGM during busy weekends and big conventions when the Strip gridlocks in that section.
Even RTC knows the ACE will get jammed at busy times. But coordinating the monorail, with the ACE north of Sahara—-where a lot of the route becomes a dedicated lane—could provide a pretty efficient and cheap way to move people from the South Strip to Downtown. And it could take some cars off the road, which desperately needs to happen.
Can you imagine what a cluster Strip traffic would be now if the economy hadn’t crashed, F-Blue had opened last year along with CC, and hotel occupancy was consistently running 90% at virtually all properties? Good lord, what a mess things would be. All the time.
Written by SPRUNT on May 1, 2010 at 2:55 am
“Ironically, on the way back home, the Monorail broke down in the Convention Center station and I was forced to get off.”
…Then he exited the monorail.