Las Vegas is in desperate need of a mass transit overhaul. Currently, there is no option outside of bus service that connects all major destinations including the airport, Strip, Downtown, 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 the Strip.
Before we dive into how to ride the Vegas Loop, let’s go over what it is, shall we?
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.
Vegas Loop – The Vision & Roadmap
The system, constructed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company eventually plans to use autonomous Tesla EVs or even a custom designed 16-passenger shuttle.
For the time being, the system relies on human drivers in Tesla vehicles, however.
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.
While only a few stops exist today, Boring has much larger plans.
The map below shows currently constructed tunnels in yellow, and proposed routes in blue.
How would a city-wide underground Loop system work? Take a look a the image 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 that 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 onto its next destination. Unlike a bus, train, or subway, the Loop system doesn’t need to stop at every single stop, rather, only relevant stops.
The Vegas Loop is more comparable to an underground interstate system than a subway.
Musk has commented previously that the cost to ride a system like this will be comparable to a bus ticket. In addition to having an effective public transportation system, the value perception of cheap, efficient transportation is something Vegas as a whole could benefit from.
Vegas Loop Cost
While navigating the Las Vegas Convention Center is free, the Resorts World – Convention Center Vegas Loop connection costs $3 to use. Tickets can be purchased in advance, here.
As the system expands, costs to ride the Vegas Loop should be comparable to taking the bus.
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
Current Vegas Loop Stops
The Vegas Loop Stops that are currently operating include:
Las Vegas Convention Center
Three Vegas Loop Stops are currently offered across the Las Vegas Convention Center campus (north, central, and south).
The Vegas Loop tunnels underneath the Convention Center shorten the 45-minute cross-campus walk to a 2-minute Loop ride.
Resorts World Loop Station
The Vegas Loop Station at Resorts World is open for business and able to shuttle conventioneers over to the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Future phases of this connection will fully integrate the Resorts World Loop station with the current Convention Center Loop Route.
The Loop Station at resorts World can be found 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 – much quicker than walking!
Coming Soon – Encore
A Vegas Loop tunnel connecting the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Station to Encore is currently under construction.
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 expansion.
Ultimately, a mass transit solution that connects the airport to resorts on the Strip, Fremont Steet is LONG overdue. The fact that The Vegas Loop will also provide a painless way to get to both the Las Vegas Convention Center and Allegiant Stadium makes the system even more attractive for Las Vegas.
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.