Las Vegas has been in need of a mass transit overhaul for some time.
Currently, there isn’t an option outside of bus service that connects all major destinations like the airport, Strip, Fremont Street, Allegiant Stadium, and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
In a city with 40 million-plus visitors annually, the fact that overpriced cabs and rideshare services are the only options to get somewhere quickly (depending on traffic) is a bit absurd.
Enter The Boring Company and their Loop transportation system, which is currently being constructed on a piece-by-piece basis underneath Las Vegas.
Below, I’ll cover current Loop stops, the cost to ride, how to ride, and how a larger Loop system will work in Las Vegas in the future.
Vegas Loop Cost
- Rides within the Las Vegas Convention Center campus are free for convention attendees.
- Rides between Resorts World and the Convention Center costs $4.50 for a day pass and tickets can be purchased in advance, here.
As the system expands, costs to ride the Vegas Loop should be comparable to taking the bus according to The Boring Company.
Current Vegas Loop Stops
Vegas Loop Stops that are currently operating include:
- Las Vegas Convention Center West
- Las Vegas Convention Center Riviera (Outside the West Hall)
- Las Vegas Convention Center Central
- Las Vegas Convention Center East
- Resorts World
Vegas Loop Stops that are currently under construction include:
- Westgate (coming soon)
- Encore (coming soon)
Convention Center Loop System
Stops at the Las Vegas Convention Center are located outside the West Hall (West Station), North and Central Halls (Central Station), and South Hall (South Station).
Leveraging the Loop system shortens the 45-minute cross-campus walk to a mere 2-minute ride.
Resorts World Loop Stop
The Vegas Loop Station at Resorts World is able to shuttle conventioneers over to the Riviera station, located just outside the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
While a short walk is still required, future phases of this project will fully connect the Resorts World Loop station with the other 3 stops along the current Convention Center Loop Route.
The Loop Station at Resorts World can be accessed by taking the escalator down at the giant illuminated “orb” in their shopping district. The escalator you need to take is clearly marked.
The estimated drive time to the convention center is 1 – 4 minutes.
Coming Soon – Encore & Westgate
Vegas Loop tunnels connecting the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Station to both Westgate and Encore are currently in various stages of construction and will be online in the near future.
How To Ride The Vegas Loop
If you’re looking for a ride within the Convention Center complex, simply head to a Loop station, let your driver know where you’re headed, and you’re on your way. You don’t need to buy a ticket, however, you should be prepared to show your convention badge.
If you’re not riding within the convention center complex, you’ll need to buy a ticket to ride.
A day pass can be purchased here for $4.50 and can be paid for with traditional currency or dogecoin.
Once your ticket is purchased, you can make your way to your stop during operating hours to catch a ride.
Future Vegas Loop Expansion
In addition to the small footprint the Vegas Loop currently has around the Convention Center, the company has plans to expand to 51 stations across Las Vegas.
Excitedly, The Boring Company has already secured some key approvals for expansion.
The City of Las Vegas unanimously approved the network’s expansion to downtown, with 5 stops planned at STRAT, Circa, Plaza, Slotzilla, and another along the Fremont Street Experience.
Clark County, which has jurisdiction over the Strip has also approved the expansion of the system beyond its current footprint.
The map below shows currently constructed tunnels in yellow, and proposed routes in blue.
Future sample fares provided on The Boring Company’s website include:
- Airport to the Convention Center: $10
- Allegiant Stadium to the Convention Center: $6
- Downtown Las Vegas to the Convention Center: $5
How would a city-wide underground Loop system work? Take a look a the map above. The blue lines that run from the airport, up the Strip, and downtown would act as an “artery”.
Think of arteries as a freeway where vehicles could move at high speeds and then exit the artery onto “spurs” to reach a minimally invasive station at the desired property or destination.
After dropping off, the tram would then merge back into the artery and continue to its next destination. Unlike a bus, train, or subway, the Loop system doesn’t need to stop at every single stop, but rather, only relevant stops.
The Vegas Loop is more comparable to an underground interstate system than a subway.
While Tesla vehicles with human drivers are used today, the system eventually plans to use autonomous Tesla EVs or even a custom-designed 16-passenger shuttle.
Boring’s Loop system can operate at speeds of up to 155 mph, however, due to the short nature of the tunnels currently constructed underneath Las Vegas, speeds will be held to 35 mph tops for the foreseeable future.
Vision Behind The Boring Company’s Loop System
Elon Musk founded The Boring Company specifically to solve the problem of “soul-destroying traffic” through tunneling.
Historically, tunneling has been prohibitively expensive, according to Boring, often running up to $1 billion per mile.
Boring’s mission is to reduce the cost of tunneling 10-fold by reducing the diameter of the tunnel and using improved equipment, modern techniques, and investing in research and development.
Safety is always and should be, the main concern with a newer mass transit concept like an underground Loop system.
The tunnel is constructed of non-flammable material and doesn’t utilize an electric 3rd rail so the risk of fire is minimal, however, there would be emergency exits and the ventilation system would be able to handle smoke in the unlikely event of a fire. You can read up on the Loop system’s safety features here.
Earthquakes also pose minimal risk to the system as Boring points out similar subway systems in California and Mexico City were some of the safest places to be during seismic events with tunnels showing little to no damage after the event.
At the end of the day, Las Vegas is in desperate need of a mass transit system that can ferry visitors quickly from place to place at a price that won’t break the bank.
I think the Vegas Loop could double as both an effective means of transportation, and as a tourist attraction in and of itself.
See Also: Las Vegas Transportation Options – How to get around.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.