Extra trolleys will run Thursday to get people to and from the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade, and the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl game.
But the Metropolitan Transit Service cautioned fans to leave early, because huge crowds were expected to attend the morning parade and the afternoon football game. Delays of up to one hour may face patrons leaving the game.
Green Line stations west of Qualcomm Stadium will get extra train service from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. to take parade-goers downtown. Parade viewers should disembark from the Orange and Green lines at the Santa Fe Depot, and Blue and Orange line patrons should exit the trolleys at the American Plaza station.
Extra trains will also run from downtown to Old Town and Mission Valley following the parade, from 11:45 a.m. through 12:45 p.m. For the Holiday Bowl, extra Green Line service starts at 1:55 p.m. from the 12th and Imperial Transit Center and extra trains will run until 6:10 p.m.
MTS offcials urged fans to board trolleys bound for Qualcomm between 2 and 4 p.m. in order to be in their seats for pregame ceremonies at 6:15 and the 6:45 p.m. kick-off.
Fans can park for free at many MTS park-and-ride lots.
Lots near the stadium, such as Grantville, Hazard Center, Morena/Linda Vista, Old Town, 70th Street, and Grossmont were expected to fill up by 5 p.m. or before.
Outlying park-and-rides at El Cajon Transit Center, Gillespie Field and Santee Town Center, or on the Orange and Blue Lines, are not expected to fill to capacity.
Every rider age 6 and up must have a valid Trolley one-way ticket or day pass. A regular day pass on Compass Card can be purchased at all station ticket vending machines using cash, credit or debit card for $7. People who have a Compass Card can buy a one-day pass for $5.
MTS expects to provide almost 20,000 fans a ride to and from Qualcomm Stadium and urges fans to be patient.
-City News Service
