Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas salutes the USC band at this morning's event.
After the Trojans' win over Hawaii in their opener this past weekend, USC is ranked 22nd and 25th in the AP and USA Today polls, respectively. Their game Saturday night against Washington State is a chance to continue their momentum.
The news release from Metro:
With an anticipated 90,000 football fans expected to attend USC’s first home game of the 2013 season on Saturday, September 7, against Washington State, officials of the university and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today joined with the Spirit of Troy band to urge fans to ride Metro’s Expo Line to all home games.
At a campus news conference held at Pardee Plaza, directly adjacent to the Expo Park station, participants reminded fans the Metro Rail route scored big when it debuted in 2012.
“Last year we launched enhanced service to the Coliseum and moved about 8,000 Trojans fans to each of the six home games. That represents about 4,000 vehicles removed from the streets for each game,” said Metro CEO Art Leahy. “We’re putting on extra train cars and bus service to make sure fans get to the Coliseum and home safely and conveniently.”
The Trojans’ first home contest is usually a sell-out, which puts pressure on transportation systems, law enforcement and the university to make things run smoothly.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the game-day experience for our alumni and supporters,” said USC Senior Associate Athletic Director Steve Lopes. “Fans who go Metro to the games don’t have to sit in traffic. They are delivered to Exposition Park, which is just a short walk from the Coliseum.”
The enhanced, game day service features more frequently- running trains beginning three hours prior to kickoff and lasting until 60-75 minutes after the game ends. The Red/Purple and Blue Lines funnel trains to the 7th Street/Metro station where fans can take the Expo Line for the short ride to USC. Gold Line patrons can transfer to the Red/Purple Lines at Union Station to reach 7th/Metro Center.
Riders coming from west of USC can leave their cars at the Culver City or La Cienega park and ride facilities and board the Expo Line at those stations. USC has Expo Line stops at Jefferson, Exposition Park and Vermont.
In addition to more frequent Metro Rail trains, the Metro Silver Line bus service will be augmented to move people from the El Monte and Harbor Gateway Transit Centers to the station at 37th St/USC. Also, bus lines that normally run through the Coliseum and USC areas will be augmented as conditions warrant.
Fans riding Metro are required to buy a TAP card with the proper fare loaded — fares are $1.50 for a single ride on a bus or train or $5 for a day pass that allows unlimited rides. TAP can be purchased at ticket vending machines at rail stations or 500 retail locations including many Ralphs Markets and check cashing services. The cost of a TAP card is $1 with the purchase of a $5 day pass or other Metro fare. TAP can be reloaded and reused.
Categories: Go Metro, Go Metro Weekends
I obtained my TAP card at the Fillmore station in Pasadena. I think you can purchase a TAP card at all of Metro’s Ticketing machines.
[…] ir al juego de USC el sábado? Asegúrese de ir en Metro y recuerde que habrá cierres de calles en el área. Aborde la Línea Expo hasta Expo Park/USC or […]
I continue to be amazed at the statement that there are 500 retail locations that sell TAP cards (interestingly enough, one part of Metro’s Web site says the number is 400 and another says 600 — can’t anybody get the number straight?). Whichever of those three number is correct, in a metropolitan area the size of Los Angeles, that’s a pittance. I live in Highland Park and Metro’s Web site lists five places where TAP cards can be purchased. Two of them are in the same block. If you live near these 4/5 spots, then you’re fine. Otherwise, it can be a long trek to find a Metro card. Eagle Rock has one site listed. The zip code where I work in Pasadena has no locations. The zip code where I worked in Studio City has two locations, neither of which was close to my office. Look at the map on the Web site. In the LA downtown (90015), there is one — one — location where you can buy a TAP card, not counting the subway stops. I don’t know where these 400/500/500 outlets are but they don’t seem at all conveniently located to me.