Metro is promoting Gold Line service to Pasadena for the Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl game on New Year’s Day and the BCS title game on Jan. 7. More frequent service is being added for all three events.

Four Gold Line stations are a short walk to the parade route and train passengers can use the Memorial Park station for the short walk to Parsons, where convenient shuttle bus service is provided to the Rose Bowl for the games. If you want to park at Parsons it costs $30 per vehicle for the Rose Bowl game and $40 for the BCS game. The bus is free — it’s the parking that dents the wallet!

This, of course, is also the first New Year’s Day with Gold Line service to East Los Angeles. That makes it easier for folks in that part of town to catch a train ride to Pasadena without having to fuss with driving. Plus, taking the train is endorsed by Rose Queen® Natalie Anne Innocenzi, who says “So, leave your car at home and use Metro to get an early place along the Parade route.”

Do you really want to defy a Queen and cause more traffic in Pasadena? I didn’t think so.

The pic at right is of Natalie with Los Angeles Councilman and Metro Board member Jose Huizar. It’s from a press event held Monday in Boyle Heights to promote using the Gold Line to see the big events. The full release is after the jump.

“A Cut Above the Rest”
EXPANDING METRO RAIL SYSTEM MAKES IT EASIER FOR MORE ANGELINOS TO ENJOY 2010 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES® FESTIVITIES

With last November’s opening of the Metro Gold Line extension to East Los Angeles, even more L.A. County revelers can now take Metro Rail to attend the world-famous Tournament of Roses® New Year’s celebrations and football games in Pasadena.

Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension communities, including the Little Tokyo/Arts District, Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles will, for the first time ever, be able to take a train directly to parade festivities.

“The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension opened just in time to welcome historic L.A. communities to the world-renowned New Year’s spectacle that is the Tournament of Roses,” said Ara Najarian, chairman of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  “The new extension should expose a whole new generation of fans to enjoy one of our region’s most beloved holiday destinations by Metro Rail.”

“With low-priced fares on the Metro Eastside Gold Line Extension along with free or nominal charges for the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Showcase of Floats, more Eastside and Downtown residents will now have the opportunity to enjoy affordable family fun at one of the nation’s premier New Year’s celebrations,” said Jose Huizar, Metro Director and Los Angeles City Councilmember.

Metro is making it easy for parade-goers from every corner of  L.A. County to reach New Year’s Eve events.  All Metro Rail Lines will run every 20 minutes overnight from Dec. 31 into Jan. 1.  The Metro Orange Line also will operate all night.  The agency will by providing  free rides Dec. 31 on all Metro bus and rail lines from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. on the morning of Jan. 1.  After 2 a.m., regular fares go into effect.  Those attending parade festivities after 2 a.m. New Year’s Day can purchase the $5 Metro Day Pass for unlimited train rides that day.

In addition to the overnight service, Metro will run additional trains and more frequent service on the Metro Gold Line to accommodate the large numbers of anticipated riders beginning at 5 a.m. and continuing through 9 p.m., with trains running as frequently as every seven to eight minutes to and from Pasadena.

“Metro definitely makes the Parade-going experience an easy one,’” said 2010 Rose Queen® Natalie Anne Innocenzi.  “So, leave your car at home and use Metro to get an early place along the Parade route.”

The 121st Rose Parade will begin Jan. 1. at 8 a.m.  Paradegoers can access any of four Pasadena train stations close to the Parade route on Colorado Boulevard.  Memorial Park and Del Mar stations are about two blocks from the Parade route; the Lake and Allen stations are approximately four blocks from the Parade route.

Parking is available at several Metro Gold Line Stations, including Atlantic, Indiana, Sierra Madre Villa, Del Mar, Fillmore, Mission, Heritage Square/Arroyo, Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park and the largest at Union Station.

College football fans attending the 96th Rose Bowl Game® at 2:10 p.m. can also utilize the Metro Gold Line and exit at Memorial Park Station.  They should then then walk three blocks west on Holly Street to the Parsons Corporation complex to catch the free Rose Bowl Game shuttle bus presented by Citi, with service starting at 10 a.m. Buses leave every couple of minutes from the boarding location on Pasadena Ave, north of Union Street.

Metro is also teaming up with the Tournament of Roses to provide easy access to view the Rose Parade floats after the parade.  Metro will operate shuttle service from the Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line Station on Jan. 1 to the Post Parade venue from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Shuttle service from the Post Parade area back to the Sierra Madre Villa Station will continue to 5:30 p.m. On Jan. 2 and 3, shuttle service from the station to Post Parade Park begins at 7 a.m. (for senior and disabled citizens only until 9 a.m.) and ends at 2:30 pm. Service from the Post Parade venue to Sierra Madre Villa Station will continue to 5:30 pm.

During the hours of operation the shuttle buses will pick up every five to ten minutes from the station.  Regular fares will apply.
Metro does not allow eating, drinking or smoking on board Metro trains or buses. To ensure public safety, Metro prohibits flammable products, barbecues and oversized items such as ladders, umbrellas, tents, chairs and coolers from being brought on board the Metro Bus or Rail system.

The Metro Gold Line will also help reduce automobile congestion to the 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game on Thursday, Jan. 7.  The game will take place at the Rose Bowl, with the kick-off at 5:39 p.m.  Prior to the game, Metro will operate additional Gold Line service in the early afternoon and after the game, with trains running as frequently as every seven to 10 minutes to and from Pasadena.

For additional information, call the Metro information line at 1-800-COMMUTE (266-6883).