Saturday, December 25, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas Monorail reopens

After a lengthy shutdown, train officials expect 30,000 riders today and Sunday

A Las Vegas Monorail train pulls out of the Sahara station Friday after the system was given the go-ahead to restart Photo by John Gurzinski. Click image for enlargement. Image by Mike Johnson

Joan Andersen didn't expect the glitch-plagued Las Vegas Monorail would be open during her family's vacation this week.

"I called, and they said it wouldn't be ready until next week," Andersen, 57, of Orange County, Calif., said Friday. "Then they opened it."

Andersen was among thousands who hopped on the four-mile monorail line after it reopened Christmas Eve, ending a 107-day shutdown because of mechanical problems.

"We're optimistic in time that this will be successful," said Todd Walker, a monorail spokesman. "Everything went very well" at the restart of service.

As many as 20,000 riders were expected Friday, and more than 30,000 riders are anticipated today and Sunday, Walker said.

Those are well below expectations of 50,000 riders per day by the end of 2005, but officials thought the numbers were strong for a reopening that wasn't announced until Thursday night during a tourist-poor holiday weekend.

"There were good crowds. There were more people than I would have thought," Walker said. "Most of the visitors really don't watch TV and read newspapers too much. They'll learn of the reopening through word of mouth."

Word seemed to spread fast. At the Sahara station, Walker estimated about 100 people were on hand when gates were rolled back at 10 a.m.

"All of the sudden, everybody begins cheering as the doors opened up," he said.

Around midday, some trains appeared to be operating at standing-room-only capacity.

There were some minor glitches reported in the first couple of hours: an escalator wasn't working at the Sahara station, and Walker said he caught a public address announcement incorrectly identifying a train's direction.

"No real issues," he said.

Certainly issues did not immediately reach the magnitude of those that had left the monorail shuttered for most of 2004. Three times metal parts fell from moving trains this year, necessitating a redesign of the train's drive shaft.

The last incident, Sept. 8, prompted the shutdown that ended Friday. Some reopening-day riders were forgiving of those problems.

"We've heard things are falling off. I wouldn't say it's a serious concern," said tourist Edward Turner, 66, of Charlotte, N.C. "I'm sure they thoroughly tested it before they reopened."

Agreed, said Ray Boswell, 67, of Hamilton, Ontario. "I think it's wonderful. I wish there was more of it, that's all," he said.

But Boswell did offer a disclaimer: "I think they've got to make it right this time."

Riders had an added incentive to take the train: It was free. Monorail officials won't start charging fares until Wednesday morning.

"We just wanted to invite everybody down and give them a chance to check the system at no cost, to say thank you and that we appreciate your patience during the past three months," Walker said.

That was good enough for Marco Kneer, 31, of Germany: "It was very nice to pay nothing."

On Wednesday, the monorail will begin charging its base fare of $3 one-way and $10 for an all-day pass during the train's daily operating hours of 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Cost will be an issue for Andersen's husband, Paul Andersen, 57, on future visits. "The question is, will it beat driving when they start charging fares?" he said.

"I don't know if I'd do it continuously. It would be $9 one-way and $18 round-trip" for the Andersens and their son Scott, 15. "That's pretty steep."

The monorail's first big test will be Friday, when the system is expected to carry some of the 300,000 revelers anticipated here for New Year's Eve festivities. The rail line will stay open until 3 a.m. New Year's Day.

Then the monorail will face its first big convention when the Consumer Electronics Show takes place from Jan. 6 through Jan. 9. Usually, it is one of the valley's largest conventions.

Strong farebox revenues are needed to help repay some of the system's $650 million construction costs and draw investors and government aid for a planned downtown extension.

Already the monorail's frequent shutdowns have led some financial analysts to scrutinize the project's ability to make good on those payments.

Regardless of the monorail's future, Joan Andersen appreciated the line's presence now.

"It beats driving," she said.