Question of the Day - 31 March 2023

We Vegasphiles sometimes forget that not everyone is as familiar with the happenings hereabouts as we are. This question is a good reminder.

The "Boring" Loop is actually known, officially, as the Vegas Loop. It's being built in phases by The Boring Company (TBC), which is owned by Tesla's Elon Musk. 

The $53.5 million Loop began as a two-tunnel three-station subway of sorts under the Las Vegas Convention Center, carrying conventioneers through the two one-mile tunnels in three- and four-passenger electric Teslas at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. The system can reportedly transport up to 4,400 people per hour in more than 60 cars that run underneath the Convention Center, which occupies 200 acres. The original system launched in April 2021.

This past March 17, the Loop achieved a major milestone: It transported the one millionth passenger on the opening day of CON EXPO, North America’s largest construction-industry trade show. 

From the west station of the Convention Center, Boring Company drilled a third tunnel under the Strip and built a station at Resorts World. That line opened on June 30, 2022. 

For now, the Loop is free. It will charge for the service at some point, but when hasn't been revealed. 

The Boring Company has plans to expand the Loop from one end of tourist corridor to the other -- and beyond. Originally, the entire subway system was proposed to cover 30 miles and 55 stations between the Strip and downtown. But just last week, TBC submitted revised plans that would more than double the reach of the Loop.

The new plans extend the network out to 65 miles of tunnels with 69 stations around the valley, from Blue Diamond to downtown and from Allegiant Stadium over to UNLV, where Boring has purchased 1.3 acres. It's an ambitious vision that, of course, will run into any number of financial, logistical, and regulatory challenges. But The Boring Company does think big.

You can see the proposed map here.