Changes in federal regulations may end Transpo bus service to Notre Dame football games this fall. (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Jul 31, 2008 at 5:27 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jul 31, 2008 at 9:33 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND — Thousands of people will soon flock to Notre Dame Stadium for football games, but getting there will be different this year. Transpo will no longer be providing shuttle service to the stadium.
New federal regulations took affect at the end of April that make it more restrictive for public transportation to provide services outside their scheduled routes.
This means private companies will have the option of taking over shuttle service for events like Notre Dame football games.
"We estimate about 500,000 fans a year attend a Notre Dame Football game," said Notre Dame Assistant Athletic Director Josh Berlo.
More than 150,000 fans rely on Transpo to get them to the stadium.
"We played a very major role with our transportation. In fact, I believe we were basically all of their local transportation for the football games," said Transpo General Manager Rick Brown.
More than 90 private companies that could provide service to the area have registered with the Federal Transit Administration. They now have first dibs on shuttling fans to the stadium.
"And if one provider responds then FTA basically says you're out of it. You can't do it," Brown said.
Transpo picked up fans from the airport, train station, shopping centers, and on major campus parking areas like the White Field lot.
"The lot is on the north end of campus. We also recently put in a roadway that directly connects it to the Toll Road for better in and out access. And the shuttle service is something we've provided for free to make it easier to get down to Notre Dame Stadium," Berlo said.
Transpo officials say the larger impact will be the relationship they have with the community.
"I feel like it almost isolates us in some ways from the community that we are very much a part of and have been a part of for many years," Brown said.
Right now, two companies have showed interest in taking over the service. Notre Dame officials say fans shouldn't worry. They're in talks with companies to finds ways to get them from campus parking areas to the stadium.
