Letter: Las Vegas 400 was a transportation fiasco

Monday, March 9, 1998 | 10:46 a.m.

I was one of many who waited on the Strip in front of the Flamingo Hilton for hours to catch a ride on the well-promoted public transportation. Eight of us made the trek from New Hampshire for the sole purpose of the inaugural Las Vegas 400. We started our wait in Las Vegas at the bus stop at 7:15 a.m.

The last CAT bus to the speedway that we saw was at 8:15 a.m. Repeated attempts were made to hail taxis, but most had fares, and empty taxis did not stop for the crowded bus stop. At 10:30 a.m. we angrily gave up our hopes of making it to the track in time for the start of the race, and retreated to a sports bar to catch the race in its entirety.

Waiting in line we had a great opportunity to hear the woes of other fans who had rental car reservations fall through because the agencies had an insufficient supply of cars. Others were abandoned by limousine companies who failed to arrive to pick up reserved fares. Frustration mounted and cars and buses were being stopped in the street by angry fans who desperately wanted to make the big event.

Eventually, with less than an hour to the green flag, the police showed up. Promises were made that CAT buses would be on the way to that specific location, but the damage was done, and the event was spoiled by the anger and frustration fueled by the varied transportation problems.

If and when NASCAR returns to Las Vegas, the powers that be for planning the transportation must not believe the "rosy" picture reported by the press. From where I stood (for three full hours), the city and the promoters need to do a much better job to ensure that all ticket-holding fans get to the track on time to enjoy the event and the sport that is NASCAR.

Bruce A. Bauer Pembroke, N.H.