An Examination of The Boring Company's Vegas Loop: Underperforming Promises and Operational Challenges

Ray Delahanty | CityNerd

Introduction: Re-evaluating the Vegas Loop [0:00]

• Ray Delahanty revisits the Vegas Loop, a project he initially covered three years prior, to assess its progress and compare its touted potential with its actual implementation. [0:00] [Image 0 - The interior of a Vegas Loop station with Teslas and people on escalators.] [Image 1 - The exterior entrance to the Resorts World Vegas Loop tunnel, with the Resorts World hotel in the background.]
• The objective is to analyze the gap between the initial excitement and the operational reality of the system. [0:11]

The Genesis of The Boring Company and the Vegas Loop [0:21]

• Elon Musk's Bold Vision [0:32]
  • In December 2016, Elon Musk tweeted his intent to build a tunnel boring machine to alleviate traffic. [0:32] [Image 4 - A screenshot of Elon Musk's tweet from December 17, 2016, stating his intent to build a tunnel boring machine.]
  • Critique: Tunnel boring machines already existed [1:02] [Image 6 - Construction workers standing at the entrance of a large tunnel created by a tunnel boring machine.], and the idea of "just starting digging" disregarded complex underground infrastructure like utilities. [0:43]
• The Boring Company's Inception [1:15]
  • The company was founded in 2017 with the stated goal of solving traffic by constructing underground tunnels. [1:15] [Image 7 - A screenshot of The Boring Company's website showing an underground tunnel.]
  • Early attempts to launch projects faced difficulties. [1:31]
• The LVCC Loop: From Hyperloop Dream to Tesla Tunnel [1:35]
  • The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) partnered with The Boring Company in March 2019. [1:35] [Image 8 - A news article headline from The Nevada Independent announcing LVCVA's partnership with Musk's Boring Company.]
  • In October 2021, a three-station tunnel system opened at the Las Vegas Convention Center. [1:41] [Image 9 - The exterior of the LVCC Central Station, a minimalist white structure.]
  • Initial Promises vs. Operational Reality [1:57]
    • The project was initially announced as a driverless system capable of 155 mph. [1:57] [Image 10 - A news headline stating "Elon Musk's Boring Company Finishes First Tunnel for 155mph Vegas Loop."]
    • The reality was human-driven Teslas operating at approximately 35 mph, fundamentally changing the nature of the service. [2:04] [Image 11 - The interior view from a Tesla in the Vegas Loop tunnel, showing a driver at the wheel.]

Unfulfilled Expansion Promises [2:11]

• Ambitious Network Plans [2:21]
  • An article from October 2022 in the Las Vegas Review-Journal stated expectations for a 34-mile tunnel network with at least 55 stations. [2:21] [Image 13 - A news article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal outlining the ambitious 34-mile, 55-station plan for the Vegas Loop.]
  • This network was planned to connect major points including Allegiant Stadium, the airport, UNLV, the Strip, and downtown Las Vegas. [2:39] [Image 14 - A map illustrating the extensive proposed network of the Vegas Loop across Las Vegas.]
• Delayed Deliverables [2:50]
  • The plan projected 5-10 stations coming online within the first six months of 2023, followed by 15-20 new stations annually until full buildout. [2:30]
  • It was repeatedly suggested that the loop would be operational for Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024. [2:53] [Image 15 - A news headline from Teslarati stating "LV officials hope Boring Company's Vegas Loop is operational by Super Bowl."] [Image 16 - A news article confirming the Super Bowl LVIII took place on February 12, 2024.]
  • The current pace of delivery is deemed "extremely underwhelming" compared to these earlier projections. [3:21]

User Experience at Operating Stations [3:09]

• Resorts World Station: The First Paid Link [3:25]

  • Opened in summer 2022, located approximately a quarter mile from the LVCC West Station. [3:34] [Image 23 - The Resorts World hotel building in Las Vegas.]
  • Rides are free within the LVCC, but Resorts World is the first station requiring a fare. [3:43] [Image 24 - The glass entrance doors to the Vegas Loop at Resorts World.] [Image 25 - A Tesla Model X with a luggage rack entering the Vegas Loop tunnel at Resorts World.]
  • Limited Operations and Waiting Times [4:13]
    • The system operates with limited hours (e.g., 10 AM to 9 PM) and not all stations are open. [4:13]
    • A personal experience showed a 12-minute wait for a ride. [5:06]
  • Single-Lane Tunnel Constraints [4:32]
    • The tunnel between Resorts World and the next station is single-lane [4:32] [Image 26 - A view from inside a Tesla in the brightly lit, single-lane Vegas Loop tunnel.], meaning a car must clear it before another can enter from the opposite direction, causing delays [4:39] [Image 27 - A view from inside a Tesla approaching the exit of the tunnel, showing green lights and gates ahead.] [Image 3 - A graphic illustrating the calculation of vehicle capacity with 6-second gaps between vehicles.]
  • Driver Interactions and Training Issues [5:20]
    • Drivers, instead of the promised autonomous system, staff the vehicles. [5:20]
    • Drivers noted that sometimes one of the two cars on the system is used for training, leading to longer waits. [5:37]
    • Drivers cannot combine multiple trips in the same vehicle, further increasing wait times for passengers at different stations. [6:00]
  • Tunnel Aesthetics and Functionality [6:19]
    • Tunnels feature "cool disco lights," but also include signals and crossing gates, contradicting the initial "uninterrupted flow" hyperloop concept. [6:19]
    • This setup is more akin to older, larger underground tunnels in places like Guanajuato, Mexico, which can be repurposed for events when traffic is cleared. [6:30] [Image 28 - An image of a car driving through an old, stone-arched tunnel in Guanajuato, Mexico, for comparison.]

• Westgate Station: Above Ground and Exposed [8:32]

  • Opened in January 2024, this station is not underground but on a surface strip of land. [8:37] [Image 35 - The Westgate Vegas Loop station, an exposed concrete structure on a surface lot next to the elevated Monorail tracks.]
  • Lack of Passenger Amenities [8:54]
    • There is no shelter or seating, forcing passengers to wait in direct sunlight in high temperatures. [8:54] [Image 36 - A stark, exposed concrete waiting area at the Westgate station with no shelter from the sun.]

• Encore Station: Convoluted Access and Closure [12:00]

  • Opened in April 2024, but was not operational during Ray's visit. [12:06] [Image 42 - The exterior of the LVCC Riviera Station, a small, white building in an open paved area.] [Image 88 - An image showing a closed Vegas Loop station entrance with a "STATION CLOSED" sign.]
  • Access requires a circuitous walk from the hotel's main entrance, past valet parking, and down an escalator and pathway. [12:18] [Image 41 - A Google Maps screenshot showing a 10-minute walking route to the Vegas Loop Riviera Station.] [Image 44 - A satellite view of the Vegas Loop LVCC Riviera Station and its surrounding roadways.] [Image 55 - A sign inside a hotel lobby pointing to "VEGAS LOOP & VALET PICK-UP" in one direction and "TAXI STAND" in another.] [Image 56 - A paved pathway with landscaping, indicated as the route to the Vegas Loop.] [Image 57 - An escalator leading down to an underground area, with a "VEGAS LOOP" sign visible in the distance.] [Image 58 - A sign in an underground parking area pointing to "VALET PICK UP" and "VEGAS LOOP."] [Image 59 - A sign on a winding garden path pointing towards "VEGAS LOOP."]
  • This station lacks sawtooth bays, cars pulling directly off the access road. [12:44] [Image 45 - The entrance to the LVCC Riviera Station showing cars pulling off a public road into the station area without dedicated bays.] [Image 60 - The access road to the Encore station, appearing as a simple strip of concrete without dedicated waiting areas.] [Image 61 - A view of the concrete strip at the Encore station, functioning as a waiting area with no amenities.] [Image 62 - The minimal waiting area at the Encore station, featuring a single bench and a screen.]

Regulatory Failures and Environmental Concerns [6:50]

• Bypassing Environmental Reviews [7:04]
  • A ProPublica article highlighted how The Boring Company managed to avoid lengthy environmental reviews and alternative analyses typically required for such projects. [7:04] [Image 29 - A ProPublica article highlighting how Elon Musk's Boring Company bypassed environmental reviews.]
  • This aligns with Elon Musk's public statements advocating for imposing fines post-construction rather than pre-building permits. [7:18]
• Documented Violations and Fines [7:27]
  • The company installed tunnels without permits on county property. [7:27]
  • Environmental regulators documented the dumping of untreated water into storm drains and the sewer system. [7:30]
  • Workers filed complaints about "ankle-deep" water in tunnels, muck spills, and severe chemical burns, leading to a Nevada OSHA fine of over $112,000 in 2023. [7:38]

Self-Driving and System Integration Issues [7:50]

• Driverless Promise Unmet [7:50]
  • Despite the initial promise, the Vegas Loop is not driverless. [7:57] [Image 31 - A view from inside a Tesla in the tunnel, clearly showing a human driver at the wheel.]
  • This contrasts with other companies like Waymo, which successfully operate robotaxis in complex, mixed traffic environments in Phoenix. [8:00] [Image 32 - The interior of a Waymo self-driving car, showcasing its autonomous operation without a human driver.]
  • Tesla's self-driving technology has reportedly not yet been perfected for autonomous operation even in the controlled environment of the tunnels. [8:21] [Image 19 - A news article headline from electrek stating "Tesla's self-driving is still not working in Boring Company's one-way tunnels."]
• Incomplete Closed System Design [8:15]
  • The Vegas Loop is not a fully closed, grade-separated system as initially perceived. [8:15]
  • Vehicles must merge onto public access roads around the Convention Center and navigate gates, contradicting the original vision of seamless, high-speed travel. [10:29] [Image 33 - A view of a public access road outside the convention center with a car, illustrating the interaction with surface roads.] [Image 34 - A view from inside a Tesla showing the Las Vegas Monorail tracks overhead as the vehicle drives on a surface road.] [Image 40 - The entrance to Resorts World with barriers and a gate, indicating interaction with surface traffic.]

Comparison to Existing Las Vegas Transit [9:10]

• The Las Vegas Monorail's Superiority [9:10]
  • The existing Las Vegas Monorail system [9:24] [Image 38 - The inviting and shaded entrance to a Las Vegas Monorail station.], which the Vegas Loop stations are sometimes near or underneath [8:50] [Image 37 - The Westgate Vegas Loop station with the elevated Las Vegas Monorail tracks clearly visible above it.], offers a superior user experience.
  • It features shaded platforms, runs at regular intervals (4-8 minutes depending on time of day), and transports people to desirable destinations on the Strip. [9:24]
  • The Monorail operates with a positive cash flow and increasing ridership, demonstrating viability for transit in Las Vegas. [9:34] [Image 39 - A news article screenshot highlighting the Las Vegas Monorail's "System turnaround" and positive cash flow.]
• The RTC Bus System's Performance [14:09]
  • The Las Vegas RTC bus system is the 12th busiest in the U.S. (13th by agency, but 11th by metro area if NYC providers are combined), carrying 165,000 riders daily. [14:09] [Image 69 - A graphic detailing U.S. Bus Ridership in Q1 2025, showing Las Vegas RTC as 13th by agency.]
  • It surpasses ridership in larger metro areas like Portland and Dallas, despite lacking dedicated lanes or transit priority. [14:21]

The "Simulated Urbanism" of Las Vegas [13:55]

• The Fantasy of Luxury and Anti-Transit Mentality [14:35]
  • Las Vegas promotes an "aspirational" image of luxury, where visitors can engage in a fantasy of wealth. [14:35] [Image 53 - The elegant exterior of the Encore hotel, representative of Las Vegas luxury.] [Image 54 - A wide, opulent walkway inside a hotel, with people strolling, emphasizing a pedestrian-friendly luxury environment.] [Image 70 - A storefront for Prada inside a luxurious Las Vegas resort.] [Image 71 - A Chanel storefront, illustrating the high-end retail experience in Las Vegas.] [Image 75 - The showroom of a McLaren dealership, reflecting extreme luxury and car culture.] [Image 76 - A Louis Vuitton storefront inside a lavish shopping area.] [Image 78 - A Rolex storefront, further showcasing the luxury brand presence.]
  • This aspiration is often perceived as incompatible with public transit, reinforcing the idea that "rich people never take transit." [15:19]
  • Ironically, wealthy individuals in truly rich global cities like New York, Tokyo, and Paris frequently utilize public transit for efficiency. [15:21] [Image 81 - A bustling, modern metro station filled with commuters, illustrating efficient public transit use in a major city.]
• The Walkable Strip [15:51]
  • The Strip itself has become more city-like over decades, with increased walkability, density, and urban design [15:51] [Image 68 - A wide shot of the Las Vegas Strip, showing wide sidewalks and pedestrian activity alongside traffic.] [Image 72 - The ornate and spacious interior of The Venetian resort, designed for walking and exploring.] [Image 82 - The interior of The Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes, designed to resemble an outdoor European piazza.], even providing emergency footwear vending for those unaccustomed to extensive walking. [15:51]
  • The video suggests embracing this walkability with real urban transportation rather than continued investment in low-capacity car infrastructure. [16:23] [Image 92 - An aerial view of an enormous parking lot filled with hundreds of cars, highlighting car-centric infrastructure.]

Nashville's Music City Loop: Repeating Mistakes? [16:36]

• Tennessee Approves a Similar Project [16:36]
  • Tennessee officials recently approved the "Music City Loop," a 10-mile tunnel by The Boring Company. [16:40] [Image 85 - A news article headline from Tennessee Lookout about Musk's Boring Company proposing a tunnel in Nashville.]
  • It promises an eight-minute transit from downtown Nashville to the airport and potential operation by Fall 2026. [16:46]
• Geological Challenges and Optimism [17:36]
  • Nashville's terrain presents challenges, including "extremely hard rock" and high water tables, which Boring Company acknowledged. [17:36] [Image 91 - A news article detailing Nashville's "tough terrain" and "extremely hard rock" as challenges for the Boring Company's tunnel project.]
  • The video suggests that Nashville's project might encounter similar issues and delays as the Vegas Loop, reinforcing a pattern of over-promising and under-delivering. [17:41]

Conclusion: Over-Promising and Under-Delivering [17:44]

• The common theme identified across many of the presenter's videos is "cars are bad" in urban environments. [17:50]
• The Boring Company's approach appears to be one of "over-promising and under-delivering," a strategy that typically harms client relationships and future contracts in conventional consulting. [17:15]
• This contrasts with the ideal client strategy of "under-promise, over-deliver" to ensure satisfaction and future opportunities. [17:03]