Metro Transit carried a quarter of Twins fans to playoff games

Buses, trains provided 63,000 rides for two games

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - (Oct. 6) - Capacity crowds flocked to the Metrodome to cheer on the Minnesota Twins in their playoff bid this week, and record numbers of fans got there using Metro Transit.

Metro Transit provided more than 63,000 rides to and from the Metrodome for afternoon games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Trains provided roughly 18,000 rides on Tuesday and 19,600 rides on Wednesday, breaking records for one-day ridership for a special event. Rail service was supplemented by buses that carried customers between Fort Snelling Station and downtown.

Metro Transit also operated shuttle buses from three park-and-ride lots: Ridgedale Shopping Center, Northtown Mall and the State Fairgrounds. Customers boarded Twins Playoff Express shuttles nearly 26,000 times over the two days.

"I'm very proud we could help Twins fans attend playoff games without having to deal with weekday traffic congestion or parking costs," said Metro General Manager Brian J. Lamb. "Between the Twins winning the division on Sunday and the first shuttle on Tuesday morning, transit staff organized 100 buses and operators - in addition to our regular weekday service - to give Twins fans an easier option than driving downtown," Lamb said. "Our thanks to the Twins organization for helping us logistically and for playing a big role in spreading the word about our service."

"We knew weekday noon games would be challenging for Twins fans and downtown workers alike," said Kevin Smith, executive director of public affairs for the Twins. "We're happy Metro Transit agreed to take a proactive approach to help alleviate congestion issues."

Customers paid $5 for a round-trip ride on playoff shuttles. Service began two and a half hours prior to game time each day and continued for two hours after the games ended.

Metro Transit is a service of the Metropolitan Council. Customers boarded its buses and trains more than 7 million times in August, the highest one-month ridership in 23 years.

(For more information contact Bruce Howard, marketing director, 612-349-7694.)

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