Technicalities studied between private and public rail systems

Friday, Oct. 2, 1998 | 11:48 a.m.

A subcommittee of the Regional Transportation Commission approved a technical memorandum that addresses compatibility issues between private and public mass transportation systems on the drawing board for the Las Vegas Strip.

The committee's approval Thursday of a technical memorandum of understanding between the MGM Grand-Bally's Limited Liability Co. and the Regional Transportation Commission addresses operations and maintenance, liability and "physical interfaces " -- the stations that could serve both systems.

The document, which next goes to the full Regional Transportation Commission next week, carefully dodges references to the type of technology the RTC system would have. A decision is expected early next year on whether the RTC would go with a monorail system like the MGM Grand-Bally's system, a light-rail system or some other type of elevated people mover.

The MGM Grand-Bally's system already has committed to monorail technology and is in the process of moving ahead to expand an existing route north from Bally's to the Sahara hotel-casino. Eight additional stations are planned on that route.

In documents publicized in two meetings organized to start work on an environmental impact statement, the RTC has identified a route extending from Cashman Center to the Stardust hotel-casino, by way of the Sahara. Under existing plans, three stops would serve both systems.

Committee members said the agreement allows the MGM-Bally's project to move ahead and identifies areas both groups would discuss to ensure compatibility.

In another matter, three companies made presentations on building fixed-guideway systems for the RTC. Spokesmen for the transportation divisions of Bechtel, Raytheon and Seimans & Ansaldo said they wanted to build and maintain the RTC system and would blend private and public financing to build it.