Dodger blue fans traveling to Dodger stadium will have a green alternative this season to being stuck in traffic. Shuttle buses from LA’s Union Station to the stadium will carry ticket holders to see their beloved team starting April 1.

Dodger owner Frank McCourt, who is not paying for the free service, is happy about the service. “This program is a tremendous first step in creating meaningful public transit between Dodger Stadium and the surrounding communities”, he said

“The Dodger stadium express is good for the environment, for the fans and for the surrounding neighborhood,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Clean-burning natural gas buses will be used on the route. 

A one-year grant of $300.000 from the Mobile Sources Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) is stomaching the fare costs of patrons who have game-day tickets. Those without tickets have access to the service by buying a normal one-way-ticket for $1.25.

MSRC was happy to step in and support this expansion of public transportation because it helps the environment in addition to letting drivers cut down on gas costs, its chairman said.

“By getting Dodger fans out of their cars we can reduce the number of cars going to the stadium, which will cut back on the air pollution from vehicles sitting in traffic,” said Ron Roberts, Temecula’s mayor pro-tempore and chairman of the MSRC.

Buses will pick game goers up at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station and drop them off at the parking lot at Dodger stadium. They will run every 10 minutes for 1.5 hours prior to the game, every 30 minutes during the game and for almost an hour after the last pitch was thrown.

Last season, Dodger fans had to find their own way to the stadium. Shuttle buses operated by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation had a successful run during the Dodgers’ final 32 regular season home games of 2008, but neither the city nor the Dodgers wanted to pay for it in 2009.

The MSRC will evaluate its commitment after one year and decide whether to continue funding the Dodger express.