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Despite Doubled Costs, City Says Dodger Trolley Service a Success

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, at 07:47AM
At the Stadium Eric Richardson []

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa exits the first Dodger Trolley bus with Councilmembers Wendy Greuel and Ed Reyes on July 25.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The city says that two months of service on the Dodger Trolley were a sucess -- so much so that the number of buses had to be almost doubled and costs rose from an estimated $70,000 to $120,000.

Of course, taxpaying Dodger fans likely won't mind the extra bill if the team can pull an unlikely comeback and return from its 3-1 hole against Philadelphia. Unless the team wins three straight, tonight will be the last day of service for the 2008 Trolley.

In a report to City Council, LADOT says that the shuttle service saw 45,063 boardings during the 32 regular season games it was in operation. Assuming fans rode round-trip, that gives an average of 704 riders per game. That's far higher ridership than a similar shuttle service saw in 2004, when the buses attracted only 400 fans per night. That service cost $3 per round trip and only ran on Friday evenings, but featured a dedicated lane between Union Station and the stadium.

The success of this year's Dodger Trolley service meant that an average of nine buses were needed each night, instead of the five that had been budgeted. That pushed regular season costs from $70,000 to $120,000. The Dodgers' postseason run added additional expense. At $3,750 per night, the additional four playoff games should add $15,000 to the program's cost. All costs for the service are being paid out of LADOT's charter bus program.

While the Dodgers have expressed no willingness to fund a similar service in 2009, the team has expressed a belief that advertising revenue can be secured to cover the cost.

Those lucky fans with tickets to tonight's NLCS Game 5 matchup against the Phillies can find the Trolley at Union Station, boarding to the south of the doors on the Alameda side of the station. From the Red Line or Metrolink, walk through the waiting area, out the front doors, and take a left. Buses run 90 minutes before game time, and continue for one hour after the last pitch.

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Dodger Trolley

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  • http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2007/07-3988_rpt_dot_10-7-08.pdf


Conversation

Guest 1

Dennis Smith on October 15, 2008, at 08:49AM – #1

Did anyone else notice that they changed the light panels at the top of the Library Tower (US Bank Tower) to Dodger Blue last night? I hope its not too little, too late after Monday night's late inning bullpen debacle.

GO BLUE!


Guest 2

iluvhatemail on October 16, 2008, at 10:53AM – #2

what a great waste of money at a time we are in a deficit. God i love baseball!!


Guest 3

John Swartz on October 16, 2008, at 04:40PM – #3

Wow, I wish I would have known about this sooner! I would have gone to more Dodgers games this year!

I hope they keep it for next year! -J


Guest 4

calwatch on October 17, 2008, at 01:51AM – #4

The Dodger Trolley was a good service, even for drivers. Parking under the MTA building is only $6.00. Normally if I go to Dodger games alone or meeting up friends at the game I will just drive to Union Station and park there. Going to the game is not the problem, because good drivers will exit on Cesar Chavez rather than on Alameda, and use the left lane on Sunset all the way to the stadium, cutting off traffic just before it gets to Elysian Park Avenue. The dedicated lane would be more useful after the game, where it is stuck in the same bad Dodger postgame traffic like everyone else, but at least it doesn't have to fight lines inside the parking lot proper. Drop the stops at Marion and Figueroa though. They serve no one.


Guest 5

Robert, in L.A. on October 19, 2008, at 07:51PM – #5

The cost breakdown for a rider with a round trip comes to an average of $5.33.

Considering the Dodgers are getting some benefit out of this, couldn't there be some stronger negotiating with them to have them cough up a few bucks. Oh, sorry, I forgot they have too many millionaires on the payroll.

Well, the city council works out good deals since it's never money coming out of their own pocket. From a city expense standpoint, I would at least expect them to offer some plan where part of the cost is paid for by- here's a novel concept now- the rider.

Maybe the Dodgers don't like losing $15 per car on parking, but with the boost in attendance, there's more customers for everything else. Don't be so cheap, McCourt. He's no O'malley, that's for sure.


Eric Richardson () on October 19, 2008, at 09:35PM – #6

Robert: Councilman Bill Rosendahl in particular was not at all pleased to see the city footing the bill for this service. Don't expect the city to be paying next year.

For 2008, the decision to go fare-free was in large part due to the buses not having fareboxes and the short service duration at the end of the year. I would imagine they'll be taking a look at whether that's how the service runs in 2009.



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