First Game is Home Opener Against Cincinnati Reds Scheduled for Thursday, April 14
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is set to provide Dodger Stadium Express bus service from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and the South Bay Harbor Gateway Transit Center starting at 7:10 p.m. Thursday, April 14 for the Dodgers vs. Reds home opener.
Express buses enable Dodgers fans to attend baseball home games more easily and without the hassles of driving and sitting in traffic congestion. It also saves them from paying stadium parking fees.
Fans can ride the Dodger Stadium Express to the game, free of charge; however, regular fares apply on all other connecting bus and rail services.
For the home opener only, express bus service from both Union Station and Harbor Gateway will:
“We hope fans enjoy an exciting season of Dodger baseball this year,” said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “Metro is ready to help Dodger fans avoid stadium traffic congestion and parking fees by providing them with a fun, stress-free way to get to and from the game. With its numerous transit connections in both downtown LA and the South Bay, our express service just can’t be beaten!”
The Dodger Stadium Express from Los Angeles Union Station will pick up fans every 10 minutes in front of Union Station near the Homebound Brew Haus. Service will continue to Dodger Stadium via Cesar Chavez and Sunset Boulevard. Passengers can use two stops at the ballpark – either behind center field or at the top deck.
From Harbor Gateway Transit Center, fans can board buses located at Bay 9, with buses running every 20 minutes. Fans will be dropped off behind right field at Dodger Stadium. Buses back to Harbor Gateway Transit Center will pick up patrons at the same location after the game.
“Metro’s Dodger Stadium Express is extremely convenient and a game changer for South Bay fans,” said L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board member Janice Hahn. “Next time you’re heading to the big game, save money and time by taking advantage of this free and convenient shuttle.”
Since 2010, the Dodger Stadium Express bus service has transported more than 2.5 million fans to Dodger Stadium. During the 2020 Major League Baseball season, service was suspended due to COVID-19 and county mandates prohibiting attendance at sporting events. The Dodger Stadium Express stayed in the bus yards. In 2019 the Dodger Stadium Express transported 377,180 passengers, the largest number of passengers of any given year.
Dodgers Stadium Express service includes a dedicated bus lane on Sunset Boulevard, where game day traffic congestion is the heaviest. Metro has partnered with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) for traffic mitigation support that will help expedite trips to and from games. The Los Angeles Police Department ensures that the lanes remain dedicated for buses.
The Harbor Gateway uses the ExpressLanes on the 110 freeway to speed up trips to the stadium.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are working closely with Metro to ensure a high level of awareness for the Dodger Stadium Express. The Dodger Stadium Express bus service will be provided by Transdev Services, Southland Transit and MV Transportation –the three firms that are under contract with Metro.
“The Dodger Stadium Express was one of the earliest examples of our agency’s efforts to provide a better customer experience for our L.A. area baseball fans,” said Metro CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins. “Now I am committed to going even further in the coming years to make public transit the first transportation choice among all sports fans, no matter what sports team they love to follow in L.A. County.”
Patrons are encouraged to use the many transportation alternatives that serve Union Station to connect them with the Dodger Stadium Express. Metro operates the Metro L Line (Gold) from East Los Angeles to Azusa and the Metro B Line (Red) and D Line (Purple) subway lines from Wilshire/Western and North Hollywood to downtown Los Angeles –the subway also connects to the rest of the Metro Rail system, including the A Line (Blue) to Long Beach and the C Line (Green) between Norwalk and Redondo Beach and the E Line (Expo) between downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
The Harbor Gateway Transit Center is served by several Metro bus lines, the Metro J Line (Silver) and Torrance Transit. Union Station is also the regional hub for Metrolink commuter rail and Amtrak.
Fifty-five percent of the cost of the Dodgers Stadium Express is being provided under a grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC). The MSRC awards funding within the South Coast Air Basin from a portion of the state vehicle registration fee for projects that help bring clean air by reducing traffic in the L.A. area. Metro is providing the remaining funding from its operations budget.
For specific route and schedule information visit metroexemplifi.wpengine.com or call (323) GO-METRO (323) 466-3876.
Riders are reminded to wear a face mask while on board or while waiting to board buses.
For more information, please visit metroexemplifi.wpengine.com/riding/dodger-stadium-express/.
Editor’s Note: Metro Operators are crucial to keeping LA moving. Metro is currently hiring more than 500 bus operators and is offering a $3,000 bonus for coming aboard. This is a great career opportunity. Metro offers competitive hourly rates starting at $19.25 with benefits that include health insurance, tuition reimbursements, paid training, retirement plan options and flexible working hours. Please encourage friends, family and community members to become a part of the Metro team that provides excellence in service and support and keeps our region moving. Apply at metro.net/driveLA.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.
Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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