PITTSBURGH, PA — With parking spots costing as much as $500 per space this week near the NFL Draft, free public transit could be a more viable and economical option to attend the event.
The Draft will occur April 23-25 on the North Shore and in Point State Park. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend.
“The NFL Draft is a massive undertaking that requires an extraordinary level of coordination,” Pittsburgh Regional Transit spokesman Adam Brandolph said. “Planning for an event like this extends far beyond traditional event logistics.”
The extensive planning has resulted in ways to get to the draft without having to combat the anticipated gridlock or pay hundreds of dollars for parking.
Here's how to get there for free:
Pittsburgh Regional Transit will run two-car trains on the Blue Line and Red Line every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day. The Silver Line will operate every 30 minutes between Library and Washington Junction.
All light-rail service and the Monongahela Incline is fare free during the Draft courtesy of Sheetz.
PRT will also run four special Football Flyer bus routes from each of the cardinal directions.
These routes will serve nearby park and ride lots before making stops in Downtown Pittsburgh near Point State Park and near PNC Park on the North Side, steps away from all the Draft action.
The Football Flyers will run every 15 minutes on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, 24, and every 30 minutes on Saturday, April 25.
Football Flyer service is fare free during the Draft courtesy of the Pittsburgh Organizing Committee and The Pittsburgh Foundation.
99 - North - Will start at the McCandless Park and Ride (9700 McKnight Road), travel to the Ross Park and Ride (5204 Perry Highway) and will use the HOV lanes on I-279.
99 - East - Will start at the Monroeville Mall and serve every station along the East Busway.
99 - South - Will start at the Large Park and Ride (219 Peters Creek Road) and serve every station along the South Busway.
99 West - Will start at the University Boulevard Park and Ride (9000 University Boulevard), serve every stop on the West Busway, the Lower Station of the Duquesne Incline, and the Lower Station of the Monongahela Incline.
All four Football Flyers will serve bus stops near Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh and a bus stop near PNC Park on the North Shore.
PRT will have extra staff to help get fans and families to the Draft events. Special announcements will be made at stations and on board trains and the Football Flyers about where to exit for Draft activities.
Most PRT park and ride lots are free. PRT's South Hills Village Garage costs $2 a day.
Getting to the Draft: A Comprehensive Transportation Guide
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