Security designed into new monorail

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 11:28 a.m.

When the Las Vegas Monorail was designed, security was not the top issue in mind, but builders of the four-mile transit system said that given the world's current insecurity, it has become an important design factor.

The monorail is scheduled to begin transporting thousands of people the four miles from Tropicana to Sahara avenues, connecting all the resorts along the way, in January 2004.

When pressed, monorail officials admitted that nothing can make a mass-transit security system foolproof, but they are determined to do everything they can to make the system as safe as practically possible.

They have some frightening incidents to learn from. Terrorist attacks on subways in Paris, Tokyo and Daegu, South Korea, within the past decade have killed hundreds and injured thousands, while Palestinian terrorist attacks on Israeli buses are regular reminders of the dangers implicit in mass transit.

"We're going to have to change the way we do security," Las Vegas Monorail Co. spokesman Todd Walker said. "Everyone is."

Some of the changes include video monitors that will cover every car and every station along the track.

The monorail also will have roving attendants that will answer travelers' questions, help people where possible and serve as eyes and ears for full-time security.

Walker said the monorail company also hopes that Metro Police will begin using the system as a way to get around the Strip quickly, providing an additional, very visible buffer for anyone considering anything illegal.

The rides for Metro officers will be free, he said.

"We are fully testing for every security issue we can think of," Walker said. "Whether that's terrorism, fire, hostage-taking -- anything that can arise, we are working on plans to avert it."

Bob Broadbent, a former Clark County commissioner and Las Vegas Monorail Co. chairman, said monorail officials expect to fully participate in emergency management response if their is any incident affecting Southern Nevada.

And Cam Walker, company president, said the planners and designers or the system have met regularly with state, federal and local law enforcement officials in an effort to gauge the level of response needed for any security incident.

Scott Miller, the company's chief financial officer, said the company has one priority: "an absolute commitment to safety and security for all passengers."