Transit Re-Debuts in Sin City

Las Vegas monorail is up and running for holiday peak business.

1 minute read

January 4, 2005, 8:00 AM PST

By Peter Buryk


The problem-stricken Las Vegas monorail opened for business again over the Christmas weekend just in time for the city�s busiest period of tourism. The 3.9-mile system runs north to south along the famous Strip and has six stops serving major casinos and attractions. Since its inception in July, the transit system has been plagued with operational and structural problems that forced its closure for nearly four months. With those problems resolved, monorail officials hope to attract 50,000 riders a day, most of whom will be tourists rather than local residents or commuters. The system was constructed and is managed by a private entity and has the potential to turn a profit that could fund future improvements and expansion. �The eyes of the transportation world are really on Las Vegas to see if this can work,� said Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.), a strong supporter of the monorail project. Currently no transit system in North American operates in the black. Not only do politicians and city officials have a lot riding on the success of the system. Several major Las Vegas casinos have invested in access infrastructure to the monorail that they hope will help draw more business.

Thanks to Peter Buryk

Tuesday, December 28, 2004 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight