LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas is home to much more than casinos and nightlife; it’s also a hub for business conferences, weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties and conventions. Whatever the occasion, it’s safe to say that Las Vegas is a group travel destination, and with this kind of travel comes the need for group transportation, something taxis and ridesharing platforms like Uber and Lyft can’t truly accommodate. For groups, having a shuttle service is a must—and not all hotels offer it.
Answering this demand is the pilot program Trip to Strip, the first-of-its-kind rideshare service created by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) for small groups traveling to Vegas hot spots.
Trip to Strip is a free app that’s integrated with the Transit app, used in more than 125 metropolitan areas worldwide, proving real-time public transit data. When Transit users are in Las Vegas, they will see the rideshare service in their trip planning options.
“First and foremost, Trip to Strip never charges surge prices,” said Tina Quigley, CEO, RTC. “Trip to Strip serves the entire Las Vegas resort corridor from downtown Las Vegas to the M Resort, including McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center.”
Pickups and drop-offs are at the nearest RTC fixed route or paratransit stops, most of which are located near property entrances and the zero level of McCarran International Airport, Quigley said.
Modeled after rideshare program Via, Trip to Strip is built on affordability and accessibility, offering on-demand rides. The rides start at $6; prices are based on distance and the number of passengers (rides can accommodate up to 11 passengers).
“As a microtransit service, Trip to Strip is designed as an extension of the RTC’s public transit service on the Las Vegas Strip,” Quigley said.
Quigley noted that traveler preferences are changing, as tourists seek out alternative mobility options, which Trip to Strip fulfills. Plus, the service aims to alleviate a major problem in Vegas: the heavy traffic.
“In Southern Nevada, the impact is greatest on the Las Vegas Strip where transit ridership is decreasing,” she said. “Reducing traffic congestion through innovative microtransit and public transit solutions is critical, especially as large projects, such as Raiders Stadium and new hotels, casinos and entertainment venues, will soon open and bring even more people to the area.”
Although presently a pilot program, Quigley said that if it becomes a permanent service, the service area may be reevaluated. But, since it is an extension of a public transit, it won’t be expanded to other hotel markets just yet.
“But, other transit agencies may look at it as a model to meet their changing transportation needs,” she said.
Inside, travelers can find a host of tech amenities.
Needs are evolving, even when it comes to a quick car ride, and Trip to Strip offers amenities comparable to those in hotel guestrooms. The limousine-style interior comes with complimentary WiFi, USB charging ports and luggage space, and the service offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
“We needed to adapt and think outside of the box regarding the types of transit services we provide,” Quigley said.
Unlike other rideshare services, Trip to Strip is authentically Vegas, becoming more of an extension of a traveler’s trip rather than simply a way to get from point A to point B.
The RTC has partnered with Vegas attractions to give its travelers even more reasons to ride, including collaborations with The Mob Museum, the Bootlegger Italian Bistro and Eclipse Theaters for additional incentives.
The Mob Museum offers $4 off museum tickets for users, the Bootlegger Italian Bistro gives 20% off food sales and Eclipse Theaters gives $5 off a regular priced movie ticket for Trip to Strip users.
Trip to Strip is all about internal incentives as well, giving its riders 15% off their first ride with a promo code.
According to Quigley, Trip to Strip is the world’s largest public agency microtransit project, based on its service hours. She hopes the service not only helps to solve traffic issues and gives guests incentives, but also makes it easier than ever to explore the Strip with friends and coworkers.
“There are many transportation options across the country and around the world, and RTC sought to integrate Trip to Strip rideshare into some of the leading mobility apps to make it easier for visitors to use the service when in Las Vegas,” the CEO said. HB
