News of Westcliff express line raises questions

Residents have been longing for public transportation that delivers them to McCarran International Airport. Las Vegas doesn't have the shuttle services that other metropolitan areas offer and we all know the monorail stops well short of the airport, so news of the express line from the Westcliff Transit Center to McCarran thrilled many. Tuesday's story about the grand opening triggered a few follow-up questions about the Westcliff route.

Will the Westcliff express route operate 24 hours a day?

No, they don't run around the clock but the first departure is early in the morning and the last one is fairly late at night. On weekdays, the first airport-bound bus leaves at 5:35 a.m. and the last one departs at 10:15 p.m.; on weekends and holidays the earliest run is at 6:15 a.m. and the latest is 10:15 p.m.

On the weekday return trip from the airport, the earliest bus departs McCarran at 6:15 a.m. and the last trip is at 11:03 p.m.. On weekends and holidays, the earliest departure changes to 7:01 a.m. and the latest stays the same. For the entire schedule, rtcsnv.com.

Are senior discounts available?

Yes. Seniors (60 and over) along with disabled people, Medicare card holders and youths between 6 and 17 years old are eligible for reduced fares. This amounts to about a 50 percent break on all tickets whether they are single ride or a 30-day pass. Seniors and Medicare card holders are required to show a medicare card or valid driver's license. Younger passengers must show a birth certificate, driver's license, photo identification or student identification and disabled riders will be asked for a Medicare card or an original signed letter from a physician.

Are no-fee transfers available for other routes, for example to Las Vegas Boulevard?

No. Like other Regional Transportation Commission routes, if passengers must get off one bus and onto another, they must pay for a second single-ride ticket. The route from the Westcliff station to the airport is a continuous route so it is not necessary to transfer.

Are 140 parking spaces sufficient?

Well, the Transportation Commission hopes so. The city of Las Vegas donated the Westcliff parcel to the commission. After the 1,600-square-foot transit station and eight bus bays were built, the remaining land available for parking was limited. There is also parking at the Suncoast hotel-casino, which leads us to the next question.

Where do we park if we take the bus from the Suncoast?

The park-and-ride at the Suncoast is located on the property and the stop is just north of Alta Drive on Rampart Boulevard. Signs along Rampart will guide passengers to the park-and-ride. The airport express bus originates at the Suncoast and stops at Charleston Boulevard and Durango Drive before arrive at Westcliff. There are 50 parking spaces available at the Suncoast park-and-ride and, like all of the transportation agency's facilities, parking is free and security guards patrol the area around the clock.

Is there extra space on the buses for luggage?

No. These are regular transit buses so the route is better suited for passengers who have roller bags or small suitcases. Large families headed on vacation or somebody who is going on a long trip might want to consider the South Strip Transfer Station.

That station is located on Russell Road just south of Sunset Road. Passengers can catch the 109 north to McCarran and reach the airport in about 10 minutes for $1.75. Again the secured parking lot is free, but it fills up quickly and there is no phone number to call to check on the status of available spaces.

Regular transit buses run out of this station too so there might be a luggage issue. Tracy Bower, spokeswoman for the RTC, said many travelers drop their family and luggage off at the airport, drive to the transfer station, drop off the car and take the bus to the airport. Upon return, one person can take the bus to fetch the car and head to the airport to pick up everybody else.

Where do the buses drop you off at the airport?

All the buses drop passengers off and pick them up at the zero level, which is below the passenger pickup level.

If the bus stops at Tropicana and the Strip, can I just park at the MGM?

The Regional Transportation Commission recommends that passengers park at their park-and-ride facilities at the Suncoast and Westcliff.

How long are we allowed to leave our cars at the park-and-rides?

At the Westcliff center and the station at the South Strip location, passengers can park their cars for free for as long as they would like. The transportation agency recommends that if you are going to be gone longer than one week, you notify security officers on the site so they don't think your car has been abandoned. The Suncoast park-and-ride is more suited for daily commuters. The security at that lot is provided by the Suncoast, not the transportation commission. If you're going on a trip longer than a few days, its is recommended that you use the commission lots.

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