L.A. Metro Honors Millionth Rider on Dodger Stadium Express Bus Service

The one-millionth rider to use the popular Dodger Stadium Express bus service from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Dodger Stadium boarded the express bus last night to watch the Washington Nationals play the Dodgers.

Metro staff members were on hand at Union Station as the Lukes family from Temecula was honored as being the one-millionth to use the service. The family of four — Mike and Kumi Lukes and their two children, Sean and Sohpie — were presented with a large Dodger Stadium Express “Golden Ticket” and a one-month TAP pass to use on any Metro operated bus and train service. In addition, the Dodgers honored them with tickets to a future Dodger game, meal vouchers, a Dodger gift bag. Sean, 11, was also given the opportunity to throw the first pitch at the game last night.

“The last time I went to a Dodgers game, I was seven-years-old,” said Mike Lukes. “There was definitely no Dodger Stadium Express then. We decided to take the bus because I heard it was convenient and easier than parking at the stadium, and now my family and I have this amazing experience we’ll be able to remember forever.”

The Lukes family actually drove up from Temecula to Claremont and then took a Metrolink train to Union Station to transfer to the Dodger Stadium Express bus service and onto Dodger Stadium for the game.

The Dodger Stadium Express bus service transported more than 220,000 fans during the 2015 season — up from 216,000 fans in 2014. So far this season, over 85,000 have taken advantage of the service.

Metro also offers the Dodger Stadium Express service from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center serving the South Bay area with buses using the Metro ExpressLanes along the 110 freeway.

The service is funded with a grant approved by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC). The MSRC awards funding within the South Coast Air Basin from a portion of the vehicle registration fees set aside for projects that help reduce vehicle emissions. Funding for the service from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center is being provided by Metro’s ExpressLanes Net Toll Reinvestment Grant Program. 

The Dodger Stadium Express is free for passengers with a game ticket. Those without a game day ticket will pay regular one way fares of $1.75 from Union Station and $2.50 from Harbor Gateway Transit Center.

Service from Union Station begins 90 minutes prior to the game and runs until 45 minutes after the game ends. Buses depart from the Alameda Street side of the station near the taxi zone. Passengers are let off and picked up at one of two tops, either behind Center Field or at the Top Deck.

Service from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center can be found at Bay 9 and begins two hours before game time and ends 45 minutes after the game concludes. The pickup and drop off zone at Dodger Stadium is behind right field.

The Los Angeles Dodgers work closely with Metro to ensure a high level of awareness for this service to Dodger Stadium and to continue to promote the service to fans during each game.

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 Azusa, the Metro Red/Purple subway lines from Wilshire/Western and North Hollywood to downtown L.A. The Metro Green Line between Norwalk and El Segundo intersects with the Metro Blue Line that runs between Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles, as well as the Expo Line from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles. The Harbor Gateway Transit Center is served by several Metro bus lines, including the Metro Silver Line. Torrance Transit also provides service to and from Harbor Gateway.