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When was the last time you seen them check bus passes on the SDX?

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by georgewalskin, Aug 6, 2012.

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  1. georgewalskin

    georgewalskin Tourist

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    I was in vegas a few months ago and purchased a 30 day pass even though i was there only for 3 weeks. For the deuce, you have to swipe your card. However, i noticed that no one EVER CHECKS for a bus pass if you board the SDX.


    The thing is i took the SDX bus quite a few times and i prefer it oppose to the deuce bus because it goes express and i like that because it goes to downtown much faster without making all those stops.


    From my memory, the only time anyone ever checked your bus pass before boarding an SDX when i was at the bus stop near Planet Hollywood. It was like people either taking the deuce or the sdx and she asked each one of us which bus we taking. so if its deuce, she said okay line is there but if its sdx, she checked for your bus pass. Also... this was like in the afternoon. But when i took the SDX bus from downtown... no one ever checked it outside. I also recalled when i took the SDX almost every other time on the strip that wasn't that day, no one ever checks at all.


    Has anyone even got in trouble for riding the SDX bus without a pass? When i took the bus, i saw a lot of people holding their bus passes like the tourists that they are but i was man i could be on this bus without a bus pass as i just never see anyone check. And if someone does check... how in the world are they going to check 100+ people one by one? Has anyone even seen this? Because after i took this bus multiple times, i thought man I don't even need a bus pass as NO ONE EVER CHECKS. I was actually waiting for at least one time there was a person who checks but it never happened ever.


    But the problem for me though is the SDX only runs till midnight and that would be a problem for me as i usually take the bus after midnight when going back downtown since im on the strip very late so i would need a bus pass for the deuce.


    But has anyone seen a person thrown out of the bus for not having a bus pass on the SDX? I felt like man people could be riding the SDX for free as i just never see anyone checking inside once you get in. And that one time i saw a woman checking it, she did this outside and thus if you don't have it, she said you have to buy a ticket.


    I read that if you are in the SDX bus and then found without a bus ticket, is it true the worst thing you could do is just tell you to get out? I saw a sign that says if you are riding this bus without a pass, you would get fined yet all I hear is that person will get told to leave the bus and thats it?


    I mean, i can't believe how the SDX operates. Basically anyone can get on the bus and there are just no one that checks a bus pass.
     
  2. jimboguy

    jimboguy MIA

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    I have been on an SDX and asked if I had a ticket by an RTA security officer. I also saw the same officer issue a citation to a non-ticket holder for over $100.

    Freeloading on public transit probably isn't a good gamble in Vegas.
     
  3. georgewalskin

    georgewalskin Tourist

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    Interesting. When was this? Were you asked if you had a ticket when you boarded the bus or when you were riding it and then the RTA security offer then checked you? I assume that officer check every single person then? The thing is how in the world are they checking? They are checking it while the bus is moving?


    I took the SDX bus at least 10 times when i was there and not once did anyone check once a person went inside the SDX bus. I was thinking at that time, heck there could be people here without a ticket.
     
  4. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I haven't used the bus all that much this year, so it is possible they cut back. Last year I'm guessing I was seeing someone checking passes on 50% of my rides. All of my rides were from Paris(or somewhere close) to downtown. Most of the time someone got on to check later on in the ride, like around Wynn, and then got off on the next stop. I certainly saw a few tickets going out.

    I've only taken it ~15-20 times. I was actually surprised by how often tickets were checked.
     
  5. georgewalskin

    georgewalskin Tourist

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    When you say you saw tickets checked... did they check every single person? I would this to be a daunting task especially since majority of the time in the day the bus is very packed.


    Interesting you saw 50% of the time. I never saw it once inside the bus ever.
     
  6. Ron in SC

    Ron in SC Tourist

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    The couple of times I have rode the SDX at night a officer was on the bus and checked everyones pass.
     
  7. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    Its called theft of services, somebody doing that is a thief. It would show they have no morals. :vomit:
    Are you asking this because you want to be a thief, or a bus monitor?
     
  8. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    It's been a few months since I've ridden the SDX, but on one trip from downtown to the Bellagio stop, I counted three, yes that's 3, different officers checking passes! One would get off at a stop, and another would get on and start checking. They obviously weren't trying to check everyone's, but they were definitely intent on checking. On other rides, no officer was even on board. I'd rather save my gambling for the casinos.
     
  9. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    I would say maybe 50% of the buses I took had tickets checked at some point. Sometimes it is before boarding and other times security gets on at a stop and checks. They may order people off but as stated it is theft of services and they can be written up and thrown off the bus. There are people who drive without a license too, and some get away with it for a long time. That doesn't make it right and getting stopped without a ticket on the bus isn't worth the hassle to save a buck IMHO.

    Jimbo338
     
  10. Candy Apple

    Candy Apple VIP Whale

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    Just because you may be able to get away with it doesn't make it right. Riding the bus is cheaper than a cab. If you don't want to pay anything, then use your feet.
     
  11. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    Yes, they check everyone. They have ~5 minutes between stops which is plenty of time. It may have been 2 people as well.
     
  12. LucyR.

    LucyR. VIP Whale

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    The SDX bus is not fair to tourists because....

    I ride the SDX bus a lot when I am in Vegas. I sit near the front of the bus as people walk into the bus. I notice lots of people walking in and wanting to show their bus pass or wanting to buy a bus pass.

    I inform them that nobody is going to see their pass or charge them.
    So they sit down right away. They ask me how come?

    I did talk with a bus security worker about how stupid the plan is but he said they plan to keep it that way. He was a little guy worker and when he asked a big man for his bus pass the man said he was a veteran and should ride for free. They talked for a long time but the security worker knew that the veteran man was going to fight to stay on the bus so he let him stay.

    Another time I told this couple that they never check for bus passes. There wasn't a place to buy a bus pass so they got on the SDX with me.
    At the next stop a security worker shows up. Him and I got into a big discussion about how my two friends couldn't buy a ticket. He got really angry at me so I had to back off and eat crow.

    He told the couple they had to get off the next stop. I had my bus pass but
    we got off the bus so I could teach the couple how to buy their bus pass from those machines. The couple thanked me.

    It is so unfair to the tourist who want to pay for their bus passes or show their bus passes and there is no one to help them.

    I do notice the local Vegas people always have their bus passes except for that Veteran big guy.

    Many times I have been on the SDX and nobody shows up on the bus to check our bus passes.
    Here is a way that the security worker can be scammed. He doesn't check the dates or time on the bus passes so all you would have to do is sit way in the back of the bus and just flash him the bus pass real fast.
    BUT....if he decides to take a closer look you may get a $100. fine.

    My advise is to pay the money for the bus pass. If I ever see a Security worker give a tourist a ticket. I plan to report it to the Bus company on how unfair they are to the tourist.

    I still remember the strange feeling I got when I first rode on the SDX and nobody asked me for a bus pass. The bus was super crowded with people too.
    I wondered...."Why did I pay for a bus pass if nobody is going to check it."
    That strange feeling may encourage a lot of people not to want to buy a bus pass and take their chances on not being checked by a security worker. Lucy
     
  13. KCSCOTT

    KCSCOTT Low-Roller

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    On the BHX (Boulder Highway,Boulder Station, Sams etc) they check for passes all the time. And that is a Residential Bus that is much cheaper than on the Strip
     
  14. keno60

    keno60 VIP Whale

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    I have seened them check for passes on different trips. I once was having a conversation with a passenger that quickly got off the bus when he saw a rtc officer checking. Pay your way. The freeloaders could be the reason they had to raise the prices? :nono:
     
  15. teacher1

    teacher1 Low-Roller

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    Last Oct we were there for five days, rode the SDX about every day. Enforcement officers boarded and checked our pass--everyone on the bus--three times. Saw one person pulled off and sited.
     
  16. y2mulder

    y2mulder Low-Roller

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    I have probably been checked once out of a dozen trips, but its not worth freeloading. Its too good of a bus route to wreck it with cheapskates not paying.
     
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