Knights fans will see leap in traffic on game day

Lplanning to watch the Golden Knights play at home had better plan to arrive early at T-mobile Arena and stay late after the game.

Driving to the game? You might want to pay for parking in advance to ensure a reserved space.

That’s the advice coming from the Golden Knights, MGM Resorts International and local transit agencies, who have spent months crafting a parking and transportation plan for game nights at T-mobile Arena.

The strategy will be put to the test Sept. 26, when the Golden Knights play their first preseason home game against the Los Angeles

Kings.

“Don’t wait to leave your house 30 minutes before the puck drops and think that you’ll make it to the game on time, because that’s just a recipe for disaster,” said Gordon Absher, a vice president with MGM Resorts International.

“People are paying good money for their seats,” Absher said. “They shouldn’t ruin it by starting with a troublesome commute.”

Absher warned that driving to T-mobile Arena for a hockey game will be a “far more different experience” than attending a concert because the audience will be primarily comprised of local residents who will drive.

A traffic analyst hired by MGM Resorts found that 52 percent of concert-goers walk to T-mobile Arena, primarily tourists staying at nearby hotels. Another 31 percent drive to concerts at the arena, 10 percent use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft and 7 percent catch a taxi.

The number of cars headed to T-mobile Arena is expected to double on hockey game days, which shouldn’t be a surprise given the fact that the Golden Knights sold roughly 14,000 season tickets for its inaugural season at the 17,500-seat venue.

About 60 percent of people attending hockey games will opt to drive, while 21 percent will walk, according to MGM’S traffic analysis.

Another 8 percent will use a ride-hailing service, 7 percent will ride a taxi and 4 percent are expected to use a new shuttle service that will be offered by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

Representatives with the RTC and Golden Knights said

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they are still mapping out routes and times for the new T-mobile Express Route to provide an inexpensive ride to home games. The bus will stop at the northwest corner of the Excalibur garage, adjacent to a designated rideshare stop for game days.

And let’s not forget that you have to pay to park at the Mgm-owned Strip hotels closest to T-mobile Arena — and the prices significantly jump for special events like hockey games.

Prepaid parking costs $13 at the MGM Grand and Excalibur parking garages, or $18 at New York-new York and Aria, and may be purchased online only at lasvegas.parkmobile.com. A $2 service fee will be added.

Day of game parking jumps to $25 at Excalibur and $20 at MGM Grand. Fans will be shut out of game day parking at New York-new York and Aria.

Hockey fans could also opt to park farther down the Strip and hop aboard the Las Vegas Monorail to the terminus at MGM Grand. Locals pay $1 per ride on the monorail, while single-ride fares start at $5 for everyone else.

“The locals who already drive here for concerts know what to expect up to an extent,” Absher said. “But we really mean it this time when we say that people will need to travel smart and park smart.”

Temporary paratransit service

Jack from Las Vegas wanted to know how people with short-term injuries can gain access to the Paratransit Temporary Services program offered by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

Recently, the average wait time for an appointment was three weeks to determine whether someone is eligible for the program, RTC spokeswoman Angela Castro said. The criteria for eligibility is based on the same federal guidelines, along with an assessment of what types of barriers an applicant might face when using public transportation.

A doctor’s diagnosis may be considered, but it isn’t required. Those who are denied services may file an appeal, Castro said.

Road paving planned

Allen from Las Vegas noticed Current events some orange cones placed along Charleston Boulevard near Buffalo Drive in the west valley and wanted to know what type of work was being planned.

Charleston will be repaved between Town Center Drive and Rainbow Boulevard, Las Vegas city spokeswoman Margaret Kurtz said. Plans also call for sidewalk ramp upgrades and some repairs to utility manholes.

Work is expected to wrap up by February.

Questions and comments should be sent to roadwarrior@reviewjournal. com. Please include your phone number. Follow @Rjroadwarrior on Twitter.