Station Casinos, Greyhound offer new bus routes to LV

Friday, Jan. 15, 1999 | 11:08 a.m.

Station Casinos Inc. and Greyhound Lines plan to offer new bus routes from Southern California and Arizona that will bring gamblers directly to Station's four Las Vegas-area hotel-casinos.

The new routes begin Jan. 22 from Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno/Bakersfield, Calif.; and Phoenix with intermediate stops.

The round trips to Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station and Sunset Station will be Greyhound's only casino stops in Las Vegas.

Station said the Greyhound buses will be wrapped with Station advertising. Greyhound will offer introductory fares while Station will offer promotions like room discounts, gaming offers and free buffets.

The growing casino market has fueled the growth of Greyhound's "Lucky Streak" service in recent years. Greyhound has carried passengers to Las Vegas, Reno and Laughlin for years.

The new agreement brings visitors directly to the casinos, offers the casino bonuses, and creates a network with Las Vegas' leading locals gaming operator.

Greyhound said the Las Vegas agreement is built on its success in other areas of the country, where regularly scheduled bus service has grown year over year. In Atlantic City, Greyhound carries almost 1 million passengers a year to 10 casinos. Greyhound's service to Foxwoods Casino and Resort in Connecticut doubled from 1997 to 1998.

Greyhound said it has 100 departures a day dedicated to casino traffic nationwide, with growth of about 9 percent a year. In 1998, casino travel business contributed more than $30 million to Greyhound's revenues.