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WAX bus - there and back again.

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Pancakes, Feb 7, 2014.

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  1. Pancakes

    Pancakes Low-Roller

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    Hi all,

    We are looking at getting the WAX bus to Fremont Street, and have a couple of questions -

    I think you need to buy your ticket from a machine on the sidewalk - however - I have found what I think is the stop outside NYNY (found on google maps) but looking at Streetview there is no ticket machine there.

    2nd question - wherabouts is the stop at Fremont Street to get back? I thought I had found it on Casino Center Blvd (between Stewart and Ogden?) , but on Streetview there there is no bus stop anywhere along that bit of road.

    Last question only a foreigner would need to ask :eek: - do we tip the bus driver?

    I've been looking at this page http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/westcliff-airport-express.php which is quite helpful, but if anyone could reassure me about the above that'd be great :beer:

    Cheers,

    Justin
     
  2. Iu25

    Iu25 High-Roller

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    The stop for the wax downtown is right outside Binions, but when you are coming back it is the stop is at 4th and Carson. Its kind of at the end of Fremont(south end), down by the Walgreens. On the strip, the stop is at Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd, not sure about a machine there, although I cant imagine one not being out there somewhere! Here is a link to all the stops!

    Also no need to tip the Bus Driver, but I am sure they would welcome the tips if you decide to. Some of the express bus drivers are enclosed in a little room at the front of the bus though and you cant make any contact with them at all, so depends on the situation!

    http://www.rtcsnv.com/wp-content/uploads/routes/2013/WAX(07-07-13).pdf
     
  3. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    It at Casino Center at Fremont, ie, right outside Binions. In street view it may be obscured by the building canopy overhanging the stop. Just a thought.
     
  4. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    You dont need to buy a ticket from the machine, you can pay with cash(either dollar bills or change), $2, the stop downtown(going back to airport) is on the binions side of the street across from the fremont, I suggest you find it sometime before you leave , it's very visible, just to put your mind at ease. Nobody tips the driver as far as I know, he's a paid professional, not a casino employee hustling for tips.
     
  5. Pancakes

    Pancakes Low-Roller

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    Found it!

    Thanks all for your help, much appreciated!

    Cheers,

    Justin
     
  6. jgxtrav1

    jgxtrav1 Low-Roller

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    For the WAX, if you pay when you get on, you MUST have correct change $2 or $1 if you are a reduced fare, i.e. senior (age 60 or older).
     
  7. robert m.

    robert m. High-Roller

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    Pancakes....

    1. You need two one-dollar bills to ride the WAX.

    2. If you are downtown & wish to go back to the airport, catch the WAX ($2 again) at Binion's &
    Fremont St.

    3. I tried to tip the driver two weeks ago. He thanked me, but said that he could not accept tips.

    4. There is a very good website for schedules & locations @ www.rtcsn.

    5. In my experience (using buses every trip), I am always surprised to see how punctual the buses are.
    Bus route maps & stop time schedules are posted at most stops.

    Best wishes!!
     
  8. FullBoat

    FullBoat VIP Whale

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    I also think you can buy passes at Walgreens. At least that's what I think I remember someone saying before on here. And, they're good for a full 24 hours. So, if you buy it at 2pm, it's good until 2pm the next day, and not just till midnight.
     
  9. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I've bought 2-hour passes onboard the WAX many times, and was even given a 24-hour pass by mistake on a couple occasions. I believe Walgreens is where you can buy the longer passes, though for $1 per trip with my "old fart card," I've never bothered. (The 2-hour pass saves me a whopping 50-cents when transferring!)
     
  10. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    I concur, the WAX is the only way to get from LAS to Downtown!
     
  11. teacher1

    teacher1 Low-Roller

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    Love the WAX!
     
  12. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Just a reminder, you cant buy a single use wax ride pass from the machines, you can only buy a longer duration/higher fare pass. So if you are just riding downtown or to the airport, cash is the way to go.

    Last trip I had the good fortune to get a "free" ride from the airport, someone who had purchased a pass left it at the airport bus loading area when they got off(by the benches), I noticed it was several hours old but was still good for the rest of the day and used it. Nice of someone to do that instead of just tossing it.
     
  13. Dewey089

    Dewey089 VIP Whale

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    24 hour passes on residential buses are $5, but are technically not good on SDX and Deuce. You can get them as you board a residential bus like the WAX because residential buses all have drivers who take fares.

    Those passes at Walgreen's are not 24 hour passes, but 15 or 30 day passes, probably longer than most folks visit. However, the advantage there is for seniors. and a visit of just 4 days is enough to realize some savings.
    There is no senior reduction on SDX or Deuce buses, but buying a 15 or 30 day pass gives seniors all access to all buses for that period, so it makes riding strip buses very cheap.
    Be certain to validate the pass before you hop on the SDX. This starts the 15 or 30 day period. If you first board a residential bus or the Deuce, when you swipe the card it will validate and start the clock ticking, but the SDX is a hop on and hop off bus. You don't want to have to hop off, perhaps in a bad neighborhood to validate the card in a machine because an inspector sees that you have not had the time of first travel stamped on the card.
    For seniors the 15 day pass is just $17 at Walgreen's, so it is cheaper than a 3 day pass on a strip bus. A 30 day pass is $32.50 for seniors.
    You do need proof that you are a senior when using that pass. Most of us have a picture ID made free at the BTC. It takes about 15 minutes. However, I have seen signs that say a Medicare card will work. I have not tried that because I got the ID before I turned 65 and so before my Medicare card. The ID is good for 5 years.
    There are other places around Vegas to buy passes, but most are not where tourists would be likely to travel.
    http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/fare-information/where-to-buy-a-pass-around-town/
    Other posters have taken the 109 out of the airport to Flamingo and bought them at a nearby store (Albertson's I think) and then used them to get to the strip via Flamingo.
    You can also buy one in a machine at the SSTT by taking the 109 from the airport South. However, to get the reduced senior rate you will need a senior ID. You put that in the machine and it will bring up the menu of reduced fares. I did not like using the machine. I like to get mine from a person. However, if you were staying South strip, you could take the 109 to the SSTT, get the pass, and use it to take a strip bus to your South Strip casino. I took the SDX to Paris with large luggage and the crowd coming into the bus at Paris was very hard to fight in order to get out. If I did that again I'd take the Deuce because the exit door is not an entrance door as well.
    I generally stay downtown, so I arrange my trip to take the easy WAX from the airport to downtown for a dollar (senior rate) and then I can get settled and at my leisure buy a 15 or 30 day pass at Walgreen's. The WAX is made for luggage and even my large suitcase is no trouble.
     
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