LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – To get a really feel for ridership numbers and general buyer expertise, members of the FOX5 workforce visited a number of alternative transportation sites Friday that had been provided by native officers particularly for the NFL Draft.
First, it’s price nothing that the NFL Draft expertise didn’t start till midday Friday, and the draft itself didn’t begin till later in the afternoon and night.
That being mentioned, in the 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. time window Friday, we visited the Regional Transit Commission’s shuttle pick-up location at Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino in Henderson. While there, we seen only a small group of people who confirmed up, whereas a number of buses waited for them. Parking was free and straightforward at the District.
One shuttle in Henderson departed with solely six passengers on it. Still, passengers appeared to take pleasure in the hassle-free expertise.
“$4 roundtrip? You can’t beat that,” mentioned Devin Barranco, who rode the RTC’s NFL Draft Express shuttle from Henderson to the occasion. “I’m probably the biggest NFL fan there is. A lot of people didn’t think it’d ever come to Las Vegas… just for it to come here, it’s incredible.”
The Green Valley Resort pick-up spot is one among the many park-and-ride areas the RTC has arrange. You can park your automobile for free, board the shuttle, and the shuttle will later return you to your parked automobile while you’re able to go house.
RTC of Southern Nevada provided a press release to FOX5 Friday, writing, “We provided 2,400 total trips during the first day of the NFL Draft and expect that number to be even higher [Friday] and [Saturday]. Operationally, it couldn’t have gone more smoothly. We look forward to continue providing a great experience to our residents and visitors during the remainder of the draft.”
Over in North Las Vegas, the Cashman Field park-and-ride RTC pick-up spot left many buses sitting idly, ready for anybody to indicate up in the noon hours Friday. The RTC attendant there advised FOX5 that he had solely seen eight people present up to make use of the service, as of 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Here is a full listing of the NFL Draft pick-up spots.
If you’re planning on heading out for the night actions, the RTC shuttles run roughly each half-hour, with the final departing buses leaving at 8 p.m.
The final returning bus leaves the occasion at 1:00 a.m.
For those that need to keep out later, the Monorail stays open till 3:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
FOX5 visited the Monorail station at the Silver Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the place people have been invited to return park their vehicles for free and board the Monorail to the occasion’s major hub.
“This is the best way to do it. If you’re going to do it, this is the best way to do it,” mentioned one Monorail rider we spoke to.
“For sure,” agreed her buddy. “Especially if you’re staying at one of the hotels, you want to use the monorail. We also got a discount for being locals.”
Another Monorail rider mentioned, “I didn’t have to drive at all. It was awesome… It would’ve been a nightmare.”
A Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spokesperson mentioned that people have been making use of the monorail: “Leadership of the monorail was strong all day [Thursday], and the system managed demand very well. The majority of Thursday’s riders were local who took advantage of free parking at the convention center. We anticipate the monorail will remain a popular convenient option for the remainder of the draft events,” mentioned Lori Nelson-Kraft, SVP of Communications LVCVA.
What about rideshares? Are Lyft and Uber drivers busy? Rideshare driver Larry Ehrlich had solely been working the draft on Friday, however mentioned that as of 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon, it had not been as profitable as he’d hoped.
“In the middle of the draft it’s been busy, but not as busy as maybe we were expecting it to be,” mentioned Ehrlich.
Our go to to the Tuscany Suites — the devoted drop-off spot for NFL Draft rideshare — confirmed that round noon Friday, there was hardly anybody being dropped off.
Ehrlich mentioned he expects enterprise to choose up in the night hours.
“The diehards are here strictly for draft only,” mentioned Ehrlich. “I’m hoping for lots of rides, and lots of money.”
Copyright 2022 KVVU. All rights reserved.