Vegas Loop Fails to Impress, Claims YouTuber on Elon Musk’s Project

Elon Musk’s Boring Company has dedicated substantial effort to developing its innovative Vegas Loop transportation system over the past few years. Currently, the Loop is operational at 10 stations, including two conveniently located at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

The service is somewhat limited. The Loop operates a network of tunnels that connects the Las Vegas Convention Center to various hotels, but the tunnel leading to the airport is not yet functional. As a result, transportation to Harry Reid currently relies on human-driven Teslas that navigate surface streets instead of the intended underground routes.

YouTuber Ray Delahanty, known as CityNerd, recently explored the Loop and shared his insights in a video. He criticized what he referred to as the “farce” of the airport stations and pointed out the absence of clear signage for riders.

Understanding the Vegas Loop Transportation System

The Loop was launched five years ago to efficiently transport visitors around the convention center using human-driven Teslas that travel through single-lane tunnels created by the Boring Company, which shares ownership with Tesla under Elon Musk. The initial project, which cost around $47 million according to the Boring Company (though some sources suggest it was closer to $52 million), was funded by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) through hotel bed taxes. The LVCVA also covers $5 million annually for system maintenance.

Funding for the stations comes from casinos and the airport, while the Boring Company is responsible for the development of future tunnels. Currently, the Loop features five stations at the convention center, two at the airport, and additional stops at Encore, Westgate, and Fontainebleau resorts. Ticket prices range from $6 to $12.

Once fully operational, the Boring Company envisions the Loop accommodating travel speeds of up to 155 mph across 68 miles of tunnels with a total of 104 stations. They project that autonomous vehicles will transport 90,000 passengers each hour — a figure that raises skepticism, as it would require extensive usage from both residents and visitors. Presently, the system serves about 1 million riders annually, translating to just over 114 passengers per hour.

What Challenges Does the Loop Face?

At stations like those at the Fontainebleau resort, Teslas exit Boring tunnels and merge into the Fontainebleau parking garage, similar to any standard vehicle. The airport stations, which became operational in December 2025, navigate surface streets for the entire five-mile route to the convention center.

The Boring Company is actively constructing the underground tunnel to the airport and aims to complete it before the end of the year, as indicated by Delahanty’s Loop driver.

The primary challenge with the stations is not the inconsistencies in underground routes or the single-direction travel through narrow tunnels. The real issue lies in how difficult it is for passengers to locate the stations — a problem reminiscent of the Las Vegas Monorail’s challenges.

Currently, neither the casinos nor the airport provide adequate signage directing passengers to the stations. the stations often lack basic amenities, such as seating and functioning escalators, as Delahanty noted.

Compounding the issue, many of the few riders using the Loop expressed confusion about how to access the vehicles. Since cars are summoned via an app, similar to Uber or Lyft, this led to some awkward interactions.

After navigating some initial challenges, Delahanty successfully requested a car at the airport and enjoyed a ride to the convention center for just $12 — a bargain compared to Uber, Lyft, or taxi fares. The drivers also appeared friendly and eager to assist customers, at least based on Delahanty’s experience.

While the Boring Company did not respond to our inquiries regarding the concerns raised by Delahanty, we followed up with him about his experience with the Loop. Our conversation is summarized below for clarity and brevity.

Did you notice a lack of information regarding how to ride and find the stations? Were riders confused or familiar with the Loop’s procedures?

In my observation, a few riders seemed comfortable with the system, indicating they had used it before. most appeared uncertain about which vehicle was supposed to pick them up and when. Some struggled with purchasing tickets and ordering rides, although the process is straightforward once you locate the station.

Without a Boring tunnel connecting to the airport, why is the company offering a $12 airport service?

I am uncertain why they chose to provide this service before completing the connecting tunnel, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The service operates similarly to a typical Uber or Lyft ride, but it requires users to find an unmarked location at the airport’s concourse sublevel.

The LVCVA is funding the tunnels and maintenance. What alternative uses do you think this money could have served?

Initially, the proposal was for a people mover system to connect the expansive halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. This could resemble an internal airport tram found in major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, or Denver — that would probably have been a better option.

Instead, the Boring Company submitted the lowest bid. I suspect they are operating at a significant loss on this project, but they view the Vegas Loop as an opportunity for research and development, which justifies their willingness to absorb the costs.

Have you noticed any significant criticism of the Loop’s shortcomings? Do you think its expansion will continue without pushback from officials?

To date, all funding has come from hotel room taxes and private contributions from resorts. If public funds start being allocated to this project, which could have been directed towards public transit or other community needs, the political landscape may shift. [Boring has established a partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for a station on campus, with costs covered by the company.]

What is the actual experience like when traveling in the Loop?

Riding in the Loop resembles taking an Uber or Lyft that occasionally travels through a narrow, brightly colored tunnel. While I personally do not have claustrophobia, I would not recommend this experience to anyone who does.