Uber Has Launched In Las Vegas

Published: September 16, 2015

After a huge battle which has lasted for almost a year, Uber has finally, officially, legitimately launched in Las Vegas.

Last October, Uber unofficially launched in Las Vegas. When I say “unofficially,” I mean just that — they showed up, turned on the app, and basically decided they’d start giving people rides until they were told otherwise. Within hours of launching, Uber was shut down.

Then after months and months of politicking, the Nevada Legislature finally approved a bill making Uber & Lyft legal in Nevada. Of course nothing happens overnight when the government is involved. But the time has finally come — yesterday Uber officially launched in Las Vegas! For the time being there’s just UberX in Las Vegas, and not UberBLACK yet.

Uber-Las-Vegas

Las Vegas has one of the most corrupt taxi mafias out there, so the market couldn’t be disrupted fast enough.

Here are the fare estimates they’ve provided:

UNLV to Downtown Las Vegas: $13-17
UNLV to Summerlin: $34-45
Downtown Las Vegas to Summerlin: $36-48
Downtown Las Vegas to Henderson: $39-52
Henderson to Summerlin: $63-84

Uber-Las-Vegas-1

Now, I’ll do everything I can to support Uber when in Las Vegas, though there are two major challenges they face:

Uber can’t operate at Las Vegas McCarran Airport, which is a bit of a bummer, because it’s where the most “hauling” happens from Vegas cabbies (whereby they take you the long way)
There are logistical issues with picking up on The Strip, given how crazy traffic can be and how long the waits can be to pull up to a hotel; taxis are always available, so it’s certainly tempting to hop into one

Las-Vegas-101

Bottom line

It’s awesome that Uber has finally launched in Las Vegas, and I look forward to the concept growing. As of now there don’t seem to be many drivers yet, though I suspect that will change. I look forward to trying Uber next time I’m in Vegas. I just wish they could do airport pick-ups, and am also hoping the logistics of picking up on The Strip aren’t too much of a hurdle to overcome.

If you haven’t yet signed up for Uber, they have a pretty lucrative referral program, whereby you can get a free ride of up to $20 by being referred (and the person referring gets the same).

Do you plan on using Uber in Las Vegas?

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Paul Member

September 18, 2015, 9:19 am

I live in DC and use Uber 4-5 times a week. Most of the city issues that Kens alludes to is easy to overcome. First, get off of wifi when requesting Uber. Second, note where Uber thinks you are. If they think you are two buildings over, then that is where the driver is going. Third, think about your pickup location. If there is a food truck in front of your building with 10 people waiting to get something to eat, how is the driver going to have a smooth pickup? Go a few buildings down Using Uber int he city isn't hard, but it does help to look at it from the drivers perspective.

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Kens Guest

September 18, 2015, 3:04 am

I support the Uber concept, but have found it impractical in cities. Have used Uber in Austin, TX and Washington DC. When requesting pickups @ major hotels Marriott & Hyatt and returns from major tourist destinations, drivers had major difficulty finding pickup locations. Gave up in both cities and simply hailed cabs, which was much more effective. In Las Vegas cabs can not pickup on the street, so hailing a cab is usually not an option,

No Name Guest

September 16, 2015, 4:08 pm

What Tom said, if you go partying and and then drive it will not stay in Vegas.

John the Wanderer Guest

September 16, 2015, 2:38 pm

Taxis at LAS are the worst. Long lines and then the drivers try to screw you such as suggesting to take the highway to MGM or Mandalay Bay. Can you pin uber slightly off airport and then text the driver to ask them to pick you up at departures?

Danny Guest

September 16, 2015, 2:17 pm

Even as someone who has become a Uber surpporter. I can see the logistics of being picked up by an Uber on the strip completely insane. This seems one instance when in is easier to use a cab. I've never had a cab try to long haul me between hotels and restaurants on the strip or downtown. As far as airport, i can still see the logistics being nuts since LAS is a cluster f'ck, but I still may use it if it ever becomes available because the taxis lines at the airport are crazy. Until then I hire a real car service for not much more then a taxi, and don't have to worry about anything.

Uber Has Launched In Las Vegas

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