Twenty more double-decker buses OK’d for use on Strip

Stephen Curran

Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

The Regional Transportation Commission is looking to Europe for its next tool in reducing congestion along the Las Vegas Strip.

The commission on Thursday approved a plan 6-0 to set aside $11.7 million in federal funds to buy 20 more European-designed double-decker buses to shuttle tourists along Las Vegas Boulevard. Those are in addition to the 30 already on order with Transbus Dennis, the Swedish company building the coaches.

The coaches, which the RTC had to slightly modify to address Southern Nevada's traffic patterns and extreme climate, were designed to accommodate 81 passengers. That compares with the 60 people who can fit into an articulated bus, which has two sections connected by a flexible joint, June Devoll, transit operations administration, told the RTC at its monthly meeting at the Clark County Government Center.

The RTC also is requiring an extra-strength air conditioning system for the coaches, Devoll told the commission.

The buses are already in regular use in Europe and Hong Kong, she said.

"The vehicle is already a tried-and-true vehicle," Devoll said.

The buses cost about $560,000 each, compared with the $520,000 pricetag for articulated buses, Devoll said. A federal grant is expected to defray $9.3 million of the total costs. The remaining $2.3 million will be paid with local sales tax receipts, according to the RTC contract.

Despite the name, Devoll touted the coaches' relatively low profile, saying they are only two feet taller than the buses already in service.

Devoll's presentation met with positive remarks from commissioners.

"I think this will be a great asset not only for the Strip but also for downtown," said Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack, also an RTC board member.

Long-term plans call for a possible extension of the double-decker line to Primm and along the heavily traveled Flamingo Road route, Devoll said.