New FTA rule means more San Diego Charger fans will drive to the game

[MindPilot]

Express buses stalled for Charger fans
New rule putting service in limbo

By Michael Burge
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

July 22, 2008

When the San Diego Chargers open their preseason against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 9, fans who were accustomed to riding express buses to Qualcomm Stadium will have to come up with a new game plan.

The two local transit districts – North County and Metropolitan – will sideline their combined 75 to 80 buses that carried 3,000 to 6,000 football fans from around the county to Qualcomm Stadium. The districts say they have been taken out of the game by a new federal rule that prevents tax-subsidized transit systems from encroaching on services that private companies want to provide.

Bus trips to games are now defined as charters, “and federal fund recipients are prohibited from running charters,” Tom Lichterman, North County Transit's director of operations told the district board last week. The Metropolitan Transit System will also discontinue express service to Chargers games.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080722-9999-1m22charter.html