Las Vegas: Megabus is back on the L.A. to Vegas route

It’s back. Megabus, which offered low-cost bus service to Las Vegas from L.A. in 2007 and then withdrew from the market, will begin service between the two cities on Dec. 12, it announced Wednesday.

Like Greyhound, which also has recently introduced low-cost service to Las Vegas from L.A., Megabus hopes to lure Vegas-bound Angelenos out of their cars and onto modern coaches with one-way fares starting at just $1.

“We’ve seen impressive growth throughout North America and are confident that our 21st century double-decker buses with Wi-Fi and power outlets combined with our outstanding prices will be a success among California and Nevada residents,” said Mike Alvich, Megabus.com’s vice president of marketing and public relations.

As was the case during its first foray, the $1 ticket isn’t simply an opening gimmick. Such fares are available for those willing to book a few weeks in advance.

The Megabus website was offering $1 tickets on two of its four L.A. departures on Dec. 22. Its other two journeys were priced at $3. All four return trips on Dec. 26, were available for a buck. There’s also a 50-cent online booking fee.

Greyhound, meanwhile, offers more departure choices, but its fares on Dec. 22 begin at $39. The return journey on Dec.26 begins at $19.

Megabus departs from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and arrives at the Regional Transportation Commission’s South Strip Transfer Terminal in Las Vegas at 6675 Gilespie St. Local RTC buses link the terminal with all of the Strip and downtown resorts.

Megabus began operating several West Coast routes, including an L.A.-Vegas link, in 2007. But service stopped the following year. The company, which operates extensive routes in other parts of the country, hopes its second foray into the West will bring the success missing the first time around.

For Southlanders tired of being stuck in traffic on the way to and from sin City, more help may be on the horizon. Earlier this month, a Las Vegas-based company got approval to use existing Union Pacific railroad tracks between Fullerton and Sin City. The X Train hopes to begin running in time for New Year’s Eve 2013.

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