Seniors club launched

Monday, Aug. 6, 2001 | 11:01 a.m.

Station Casinos Inc. announced it has launched the "55+ Club," a new program aimed at Las Vegas-area senior citizens.

Members of the new club will receive invitations to special events, food and beverage discounts and gaming promotions. Station will also market its drastically expanded shuttle bus programs to members. The company said it will host monthly entertainment and informational forums for club members.

Station had cut back most of its shuttle bus operations in recent years, but is aggressively reinstating shuttles at several of its properties. Shuttle service five times daily between Texas Station and Summerlin was launched June 1, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday service will be initiated between Summerlin and Santa Fe Station Aug. 17. Shuttle service is already available to Boulder and Sunset Stations.

The move comes after a disappointing earnings report by Station, in which the company said that intensifying competition, a slowing economy and high energy costs had caused business to fall at several of its local properties. Hit particularly hard was Texas Station, which has been losing business to Coast Resorts Inc.'s Suncoast in Summerlin.