Bus fares to be increased in resort corridor

Bus fares will be raised Aug. 2 to cover the costs of running frequent ACE and Deuce bus lines along the resort corridor.

The sleek gold ACE and double-decker Deuce buses are popular among tourists, said Jacob Snow, executive director of the Regional Transportation Commission. The two lines stop every three or four minutes to pick up passengers at Strip bus stops.

"It's unparalleled to what you get anywhere else," Snow said.

A two-hour pass will rise from $3 to $5 and the three-day pass will increase from $15 to $20. The agency is doing away with the five-day pass for tourists and is keeping the 24-hour pass the same at $7.

Seniors, students and disabled passengers will see the two-hour pass raised to $2.50 and the three-day pass increase to $10. A 24-hour pass will now become available for $3.50.

Snow said local residents will still be able to buy a five-day pass for $20. The agency is also eliminating the $2 "up fee" for locals who transfer from the regular bus system to the deluxe service, which includes the ACE and the Deuce.

Snow announced Thursday that the Regional Transportation Commission boasts the lowest U.S. operating expenses at $1.90 per passenger. Chicago came in second at $2.29 per passenger.

"The public needs to know we are not the last in something. We are the first in something," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, a member of the transportation commission.

Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.