State gets report ripping monorail

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000 | 11:12 a.m.

An Illinois-based consultant's report that says ridership estimates for a Las Vegas monorail are overly optimistic was submitted to the state this week by Yellow-Checker-Star Transportation.

The Wendell Cox Consultancy study would not have been accepted by the state's Department of Business and Industry -- which will determine whether to issue a $600 million tax-exempt bond for the project -- without a sponsor.

All reports related to the monorail system are forwarded to the state's outside adviser, the Los Angeles-based Public Resources Advisory Group.

The California group will review the studies and make a recommendation on whether the state should grant the bond that MGM Grand-Bally's Monorail LLC has requested to fund its 4-mile-long system.

In a Feb. 8 letter written to the state, the cab company's general manager, Jack Owens, said the Cox report "speaks for itself" and represents his taxi and limousine drivers' concerns about the monorail.

"We have watched with interest various proceedings relating to the monorail project and have recently come to the conclusion it is necessary for us to clearly define our opposition to the project," Owens wrote.

Bob Broadbent, the lead consultant for the monorail, has said the Cox report is simply another example of a self-proclaimed expert trying to derail the project. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The Clark County Commission approved the design and traffic analysis for the monorail Nov. 3. When the system is completed, it will link the MGM Grand to the Sahara hotel-casino on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.

Before construction begins, the state must determine whether to issue the bond and two lawsuits must be settled. One lawsuit has been filed on behalf of environmental groups and the other by residents who live along the proposed route.

Owens said Wednesday that he opposes the project because he fears Clark County taxpayers will be stuck paying for the monorail, not because he is concerned the monorail will threaten the cab industry.

"The Cox report makes it pretty clear that all the ridership figures are puffed up and unrealistic," Owens said.

Owens said he doubts the taxi industry would be adversely affected by the monorail. Tourists rely on cab drivers to inform them of the best places to eat, drink and dance in Las Vegas. Visitors won't receive the one-on-one attention with a monorail, he said.

"It's a different ballgame," he said. "People want to find out where the good shows are or where there is a good place to eat. You don't get that with a monorail or a shuttle bus. We're good ambassadors to the city."