Reduced Fare, 15 Day Pass and All Access update.

I didn't make my annual trip to LV last year but returned in Feb. of this year. My reduced fare card had expired and I hadn't read much current information on the bus passes. DEWEY089 had done extensive research on the rules and practice of the various fares, prices, routes etc. and included actual calls to names employees. The last that I remembered prior to this year was that tourists needed the more expensive unrestricted pass for the Deuce and SDX. The other buses including the WAX from the airport are residential. However, I had used my WAX pass on the Deuce and Dewey reported being told that the 15 Day pass was accepted as "all access" though not designated as such in the Rules and Regs.

When I arrived I bought a ticket on the WAX for downtown. Since I arrived late afternoon, I decided to go right to the hotel and get checked in. The next morning I took a walk down Casino Center Blvd to the Bonneville Transfer Station in order to buy the current copy of the bus routes, schedules etc, pick up a free pocket guide of th buses and to renew my Reduced Fare Pass and buy my 15 Day Pass.I don't recall the business office being open weekends before although it may have and IS now. The process of replacing my Reduced Fare pass was simple. It only takes about 10 minutes or so to get one, but renewing is even easier. All the info was in the computer and they called up my info and asked if I wanted a new photo or use the old one. I chose the old one and had my card in a couple of minutes...no charge. I bought my bus book for a buck and got the pocket guide and purchased my 15 Day Pass for $17.00. I specifically asked if this pass was all access and she responded that it was not. I told here of the great discussions in the past including phone cll to the RTC specific to this topic where we were told that it was not listed as such but honored. Her answer was that she has bee employed there since last year and that the policy has not changed since she was trained and that it was (15 Day Pass) a residential pass, however, most strip bus drivers never check or ask for local ID;s.

I rode both Strip buses and residential using my 15 Day Pass with my reduced fare care in my other hand without any problems. Thinking about it, very few drivers on the Deuce even look at the recuced fare ID and sometimes just wave the riders to get on board whether they even pay or not. So that is, the latest info on this ongoing saga.

Jimbo338

 

Nice Jimbo. Here's an idea. Can you purchase the 15 day pass online and have it mailed to you, then validate it when you take the WAX from the airport? That way you save yourself $$ on the first ride, then you don't have to walk to Bonneville to purchase one? I'm under age so I would be paying full price.

 

This is an excellent idea....and apparently you can do this....

As for pass acceptance, I rode the Deuce and SDX extensively in March and the 15-day pass definitely swipes successfully thru the Deuce machine. The security people did not say anything about the 15-day pass on the SDX either. So that one should still be fine even though it's not "all-access".

On a related note, I probably only had my pass checked on the SDX twice out of 15-20 trips. Lots of people are getting free rides, I'm sure.

 

Yes you can and I have done it. I ordered mine via PayPal on a Thursday and had it in my mailbox in North Carolina that Monday. I was amazed how quick it came. I validated it on the WAX at the airport and used it with no issues this past November. I have used the 15 day pass for the past three trips and never had an issue even when I had to show it to an inspector prior to boarding the SDX outside of Binon's.

 

Thanks Jimbo, this has been our experience with multi-day passes over the years. We get a good beep on the Strip buses and the inspectors have always oked it when asked for. Of course, it works on all residential routes. Thanks for sharing your experience, glad to know our experience is reinforced.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I just ordered our fifteen day'ers for our May trip. In the comments I asked if they could send me the Transit Guide. I have the LVA in addition to ACG this year so I want to cover some ground. Last year I rode the WAX downtown then bought the $20 pass next to binions. Running in and out of places like the palms and tuscuny just to use the match plays made me high. I like the adventure of it all in between the wife wanting to slow down and look at stuff.