Bombers make bold offer free tickets if game day traffic not improved

Fans heading to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers home-opener on Friday are being promised better traffic flow, or their tickets to the next game will be free.

Team president andCEO Wade Miller saysmajor improvements to the parking and transportation plan at Investors Group Field should address the traffic nightmares of past seasons.

• Ongoing traffic nightmare enrages Bomber fans
• Bombers fans trash traffic, cheer new stadium

"We're confident these improvements will get fans out of stadium lots in a much faster and smoother manner," Miller said, adding between 7,000 and 10,000 fans use the park and ride services at most games."If fans parked on campus don't find their drive home quicker than before, we'll give them two free tickets to the July 13game."

The new Stadium Station terminalcan accommodate the 200-plusbuses that previously choked the streets around IGF. Beginning Friday, all transit and park-and-ride users will arrive and then depart through thededicated terminal just outside the stadium's gates 3 and 4.

• New transit station at Investors Group Field touted as means of easing gridiron gridlock

Bus-free streets will mean a faster exit from the more than 1,000 parking spots available on the University of Manitoba campus, a news release from the Bombers states, noting also that traffic lights at Pembina Highway and Chancellor MathesonRoad have been adjusted to remain green nearly four times longer after the game.

For those not ready for the party to end after the game, there will be shuttles departing from Gate 2 tofive different destinations Earls in St. Vital, Boston Pizza on Kenaston, The Pint downtown, Canadian Brewhouse, orConfusion Corner Bar & Grill.

Each bus, which will go to one of the five locations, will leave once full or no later than 20 minutes after the game.

"We believe removal of buses from the streets around the stadium is a real game-changer that will help get fans off campus much more quickly than before," said Miller. "With these improvements, we invite fans to give parking on campus a try."

Anyone who prefers pedal power is invited to use the valet service asecure and monitored bike storage for 800 bicycles on game days, located beside Gate 3. Unmonitored bike racks are also located around the stadium and campus for an additional 300 bikes.

How to use the Park & Ride service

The non-stop service to and from IGF beginstwo hours before kickoff with the last buses leavingfor the stadium 15 minutes prior to kickoff. After the game, buses will load for departure at the new Stadium Station terminal outside of gates 3 and 4.

Cost is $5for a round trip, which will be collected upon arrival at Investors Group Field.

Season passes are also available at the Bomber ticket centre in the Bomber Store for $40.

Park & Ride locations:

• Route 1 McPhillipsStation 484 McPhillips St. with parking for up to 500 cars.
• Route 2 Club Regent 1425 Regent Ave. West with parking for up to 500 cars.
• Route 3 Centre Scolaire Lo-Rmillard 1095 St. Anne's Rd. with parking for up to 160 cars.
• Route 4 Manitoba Hydro 820 Taylor Ave. with parking for up to 500 cars.
• Route 5 Assiniboia Downs with parking for up to 300 cars.
• Route 6 St. Norbert Hotel 3540 Pembina Hwy. with parking for up to 200 cars.
• Route 7 Southdale Red River Co-op Food Store 77 Vermillion Rd. with parking for up to 200 cars.