Photo by kla4067, via Flickr creative commons

Here’s the news release:

Metro will again offer Dodger Stadium Express bus service from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Dodger Stadium throughout the regular 2012 baseball season under a grant approved by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC).

The Dodgers opening day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates is Tuesday, April 10 beginning at 1:10 p.m.

“Once again, The Dodger Stadium Express comes through for fans,” said Metro Board Chairman and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “Through a generous grant, the MSRC will allow ticketed fans to ride free from Union Station to Dodger Stadium with the purchase of a Dodgers game ticket.”

A grant of $300,000 awarded to Metro by the MSRC was made in support of clean fuel transit service to link Union Station to Dodger Stadium. The MSRC awards funding within the South Coast Air Basin from a portion of the vehicle registration fee set aside for mobile source projects that result in emission reductions.

“Today’s action is a “Triple Play” for Dodger fans,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, a South Coast Air Quality Management District representative on the MSRC and MTA 1st Vice Chair. “Reestablishing our Dodger Stadium Express bus will provide fans across the region an opportunity to avoid traffic, save gas and help improve air quality.”

Last year under a similar grant from the MSRC, the Dodger Stadium Express bus service transported over 116,000 fans with 68 percent of those riders using public transportation from their place of origin to get to Union Station to take advantage of the special bus service to the games.

Funding under the MSRC grant will be used to offset the cost of fares on the Dodger Stadium Express bus service for passengers possessing a Dodgers ticket. Service will be provided starting 90 minutes prior to the beginning of the games and will end 45 minutes after the end of the game.

The Dodger Stadium Express will begin at Union Station picking up Dodgers fans at the Patsaouras Bus Plaza adjacent to the east portal of Union Station and continue to Dodger Stadium via Sunset Blvd. and Cesar Chavez Avenue. Passengers will be dropped off and picked up in the Dodgers parking lot behind Left/Center field.

Service will be provided every 10 minutes prior to the start of the game and run approximately every 30 minutes throughout the game. Metro will deploy state-of-the-art 40-foot clean burning compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. Dodgers admission tickets will be honored as fare payment to ride the bus service. Those without a ticket will pay regular one way fare of $1.50.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are working closely with Metro to ensure a high level of awareness for this service to Dodger Stadium and plan to continue to promote the service to fans during each game. The Dodger Stadium Express bus service will be provided by Veolia Transportation under contract to Metro.

Patrons are encouraged to use the many transportation alternatives that serve Union Station that will connect them to the Dodger Stadium Express. Metro operates the Metro Gold Line from East Los Angeles to Pasadena, the Metro Red/Purple subway lines from Wilshire/Western and North Hollywood to downtown and the Metro Green Line between Norwalk and El Segundo intersects with the Metro Blue Line operating between Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles.

In addition Metrolink and Amtrak trains (please check departure times/schedules) are available and Metro operates many bus lines that serve Union Station where patrons can easily transfer to the Dodger Stadium Express. For specific route and schedule information visit www.metro.net or call 323.GO.METRO (323.466.3876).