LAS VEGAS -- Nextel Communications signed a 12-year deal worth an
estimated $50 million with the Las Vegas Monorail Co., making the
wireless provider the first company to lend its name to one of the
transportation system's seven stations.
The structure that Nextel will link itself with isn't just any
station, either.
The company's 15,000-square-foot pavilion will be located in the
Las Vegas Convention Center station -- the largest in the city's
new, $650 million, privately funded monorail system -- which will
enable Nextel to reach the millions of business travelers who visit
Las Vegas each year.
Nextel's space will include a Nexpert Bar with company experts on
hand to provide advice and instruction on Nextel's wireless
solutions, services and products; hands-on, three-dimensional
interactive video displays featuring information about products and
services; a wireless lounge; a 30-seat business theater; the
largest retail store Nextel has ever built; concierge services; and
an open-air balcony with views of the Strip.
The company also will put its name on one of the monorail
system's four-car trains.
The first phase of the transportation system is scheduled to be
completed during the first quarter of 2004. That part will connect
the casino resorts on the east side of the Strip to the convention
center.
Stations will be located at the MGM Grand, Paris/Bally's, the
Flamingo, the Imperial Palace/Harrah's, the convention center, the
Las Vegas Hilton and the Sahara. Plans are already under way to
extend this part of the system to the Fremont Street Experience
downtown and to McCarran Airport.
The complete monorail system will feature nine trains, each with
four connected cars, that will travel at speeds of up to 50 mph on
a single rail 20 feet above the ground; at its highest point, the
monorail track will rise 70 feet above the convention center.
Initially, the trains will run daily from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. and
will cost passengers an average of $2.50 per ride.
Passengers will have the option to purchase single-ride,
two-ride (roundtrip) or 10-ride tickets as well as one-day and
three-day passes. Tickets will be available for sale at the
monorail stations as well as online at www.lvmonorail.com.
To contact reporter Amy Baratta, send e-mail to [email protected] .