MINUTES OF THE PRIVATE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION ON TOUR Sixty-eighth Session February 10, 1995 The Senate Subcommittee on Transportation of the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation met for a tour of a monorail system under construction in the vicinity of Las Vegas Boulevard South [Clark County]. The meeting began at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February, 1995, at the corporate offices of MGM Grand, Inc., adjacent to the MGM Grand Hotel, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman Senator O. C. Lee STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Donald O. Williams, Chief Principal Research Analyst David Ziegler, Senior Research Analyst OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Langsner, Secretary/Treasurer, MGM Grand, Inc. Scott Beaman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas Bill Gregory, representing MGM Grand, Inc. Steven Wark, citizen Dandy Coppedge, Katz and Associates Chairman O'Donnell began the meeting by introducing all the participants. Scott Langsner spoke on behalf of MGM Grand, Inc., and described a proposed monorail project between their hotel and Bally's Hotel-Casino property - a distance of one mile on privately owned land. Mr. Langsner explained the creation of a limited liability company, composed of the two hotel corporations, to investigate the feasibility of and fund the project. Requests for proposal were sent to manufacturers of related equipment and a transportation consultant was hired. VSL Corporation, a suspension bridge manufacturer and fixed-guideway contractor, which has done many projects for other entertainment properties in Las Vegas, was chosen as the prime contractor. Mr. Langsner stated that, rather than providing "low-end" shuttle service between the properties, the idea is to provide a long-range, "high-end," system which will begin to benefit the entire city. He compared the proposed monorail system to the "cable pull" transportation system which now operates at Whiskey Pete's, the Primadonna, Circus Circus, and the Treasure Island. In his view the monorail, which is a self-propelled, fixed guideway system, provides a superior step toward true mass transit. He estimated the cost of the one-mile segment at $25 million and stated that the project would serve to show the world and the county what can be done. Important factors included: energy efficiency; esthetics and appearance; the "oh-my-gosh" or event factor; flexibility; and the avoidance of on-the-ground traffic interruption during construction. Therefore, the Bombardier system was chosen. He explained that the Bombardier Company is a multi-national manufacturing corporation which develops light-, heavy- and monorail trains. The on-the-ground footprint for the monorail system is only five feet and can span preexisting roadways. It also utilizes a turning radius of approximately 100 feet, so it can wind its way around existing buildings and streets. The power source is electricity, so it is energy efficient, quiet and sleek. Mr. Langsner produced computer aided design (CAD) graphics of the designs for the station areas at the hotels. He noted that construction of the system is due to be completed in June 1996. The interior of the stations will be typical mass transit stations, including escalators and an elevator in a center platform configuration with the two train rails on each side. The anticipated schedule is that the trains will run every 3 and one-half minutes; however, the ride only takes 1 and one-half minutes. Although the monorail is capable of reaching a speed of 50 miles per hour (far higher than is necessary in this application), its speed in this use will be approximately 35 miles per hour. Mr. Langsner said the company hopes to show Clark County, through this project, what can be done with high-speed mass transit. Chairman O'Donnell asked if the system would employ operators of the cars. Mr. Langsner replied this is a semi-automatic system, the driver simply turns on the power to the "bogie" car (engine) and maintains it during the travel route. He also noted that it is a short-haul configuration: meaning that the door closures are set for foot traffic only--not a lot of baggage being loaded--and are, therefore, not open for long periods of time. Should the system be extended, various types of cars may be ordered to accommodate whatever type of traffic is anticipated and whatever interior design is desired. Currently, there are six cars for each train, for a total of 12 cars, which can carry a total of 246 people per run. The trains may be shortened or lengthened, predicated on use. As planned, the system will have dual lanes, two separate rail structures, so that both trains travel back and forth between the properties simultaneously. In the event the system is extended, one train could stop at each property while the other could be used as an "express" train which would only stop at designated locations more widely spaced. A loop configuration was not pursued because it would require a large, expensive "turn around" area which, if the system is continued further, would have to be torn down. In his view, this system will become a "show piece" for others who are looking toward incorporating mass transit into existing transportation schemes. Mr. Langsner described the physical characteristics of the trains' operation compared to mag-lev (magnetic levitation) and other systems. Chairman O'Donnell asked if these are the same type of trains used by Disneyland. Mr. Langsner confirmed they are and that they have been used by that company for over 30 years without serious incident. All doors open automatically upon activation of a single button; there will be three station attendants on each platform to greet riders, give information, and provide traffic control. If the system is extended to the airport, carrying many more passengers, additional controls and features may be added at that time. It was noted that interest in extending the project to the Desert Inn has been expressed, thus far. Owners of more distant properties have yet to be contacted directly. However, ITT Sheraton has approached VSL Corporation about the possibility of developing a similar system between the Desert Inn property and the Convention Center. Mass transit can effectively put any hotel "on the line" as close to any other property as a current neighbor. Mr. Langsner added that since VSL Corporation, with its pre-cast yard, is already on site, as well as engineers, it is an opportune time to discuss the construction of additional routes. In response to a question from Mr. Ziegler, Mr. Langsner said that, hopefully, when the line is extended, there will be county transportation hearings. He anticipates the consensus of the hotel owners--that the line will be located at the "back side" of, rather than down the middle of, "The Strip" (Las Vegas Boulevard South)--will continue. In that way, the front focal points of the resorts will not be obscured and passengers will be kept off the sidewalks along The Strip. Replying to a question from Chairman O'Donnell, Mr. Langsner said he did not see the development of this system as being detrimental to taxi cab services. It would avoid the serious "grid-lock" problem which exists now on weekend evenings along The Strip. There is currently a lack of vehicle space, especially during large conventions. In his view, all mass transit systems are meant to work together and the proposed monorail will complement the CAT (Citizens Area Transit) bus system, although there may be some change in routing and scheduling. Ideally, based on a Peat Marwick (KPMG Peat Marwick) study, the system will serve all the casino properties on The Strip, the airport, and the Convention Center, with a large, security-patrolled, parking/service area for riders (employees and others), just to the south of the proposed monorail route (south end of The Strip). In his view that would get three shifts of workers off the streets adjacent to the casinos and open that area up for visitors. Chairman O'Donnell suggested that if employees did utilized the south-end parking area, casino owners might use the "freed-up" parking areas for other purposes. Mr. Langsner showed a video tape which further explained and illustrated the proposed system and its potential effect on the local transportation environment. (This tape is available in the Research Library.) The system is expandable and could, eventually, connect The Strip, McCarran Airport, the Convention Center, UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas), and the downtown area, according to the information provided on this video. Following the video presentation, and in answer to a question posed by Chairman O'Donnell, Mr. Langsner said that the construction time frame for extending the monorail system would be approximately the estimated building period for this project: 18 months. However, the overall development schedule would be dependent, of course, upon getting the appropriate permits and the extra time needed inherent in public works projects, if extended to public properties and uses. He added that the RTC (Regional Transportation Commission) authorized a study of mass transit for the Las Vegas area, following the announcement of this project. In his view, the RTC sees this project as "just one of many" transit programs being considered and constructed in the region and elsewhere. What gives the monorail system an advantage, in his opinion, is its small footprint, its ability to be molded around existing structures, its quiet and energy efficient operation, and that it is the fastest and sleekest plan available. Chairman O'Donnell noted that since the project is, for the most part, being completed on private property many of the bureaucratic obstacles can be avoided. He complemented the MGM and Bally's on their idea and goals. He added that, in his opinion, the county is trying to build a consensus regarding a long-range transit plan which would, ideally, be built all at one time. Eventually, he said, it will be necessary to pursue a TIC (Transportation Improvement District) whereby the affected property owners (residential and commercial) along the route will be involved and if 51 percent of those affected vote in favor of extension of the monorail, for example, the project will be pursued. He said that this could be an event/attraction which will gain property owners' support as something more than just a way to move people, something which will bring people to Las Vegas, whether or not they want to participate in gaming. He noted the changing demographics of visitors to Las Vegas and how the gaming properties have had to change their advertising and methods to accommodate those changes. The increased mobility of the tourists has hastened those changes and the grid-lock which has occurred recently is discouraging to those who come to The Strip. If something is not done to alleviate the situation, the tourists will go elsewhere, he added. Mr. Langsner affirmed those comments and said this system will help to relieve the congestion. A brief discussion of the situation followed. Chairman O'Donnell stated that he envisions that special attention will be given to the monorail stations: laser lights, theme cars, and so forth, which will make them attractions in and of themselves. Mr. Langsner suggested that, whether it becomes a county-wide system or not, there is a potential for a significant revenue stream to be generated from advertising space on the cars. Regarding the monorail train cars, he added that the frames are made by Martin-Marietta, the motors come from General Electric, and the braking system is manufactured by General Dynamics. The quality is known. It is simple and has been demonstrated over many miles in every-day use without significant problems. In the one-mile segment planned, the system can accommodate approximately 100,000 people per day. Perhaps it will not be used to its full capacity, but the potential exists. Mr. Langsner conducted a tour to show the system's equipment and proposed route. The tour ended at approximately 3:45 p.m. DOW/tape/lcl Code:50575.62