The Los Angeles Dodgers will play at Dodger Stadium for the first time in 2015 tonight, with the team introducing two new attempts to assist the traffic flow.
Dedicated prepaid lanes have been added for fans purchasing parking passes in advance. Parking is $10 when purchased in advance at dodgers.com/parking and $20 at the gate. Preferred parking is available for $35 and $50 at the gate.
Dodger Stadium Express bus service will be available from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center throughout the season for the first time, including tonight’s Freeway Series finale against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The service will begin two hours before the game and every 15 minutes thereafter. Riders will board at Bay 9 with their game tickets covering the travel cost. Those without tickets will be charged $2.50.
Buses will drop off passengers in Lot G by the right field pavilion. Return service begins five minutes after the last out and continuing for 45 minutes in five-minute intervals.
This is the first time shuttle service from the Harbor Gateway Transit Center is being offered during the regular season. It was offered for the Dodgers’ two National League Division Series home games last season, attracting about 6,000 people, according to Rick Jager of Metro.
For the sixth consecutive year, shuttle bus service will be available from Union Station to Dodger Stadium. Service will be provided every 10 minutes starting 90 minutes before the game.
The pickup spot has been moved toward the front of the station, near the taxi zone adjacent to Alameda Street. Fans can also board the bus at Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue, near the Chinatown Gold Line station.
Passengers are dropped off at in center field, behind the pavilions, and at the top deck, Lot P.
The fare is free for fans with tickets and $1.75 for fans without a ticket.
New security guidelines will be in effect, following procedures mandated by Major League Baseball. All fans will go through walk-through magnetometers or be subject to hand-held metal detectors.
Fans are being encouraged to arrive early to minimize wait times. Fans will not be required to remove their belts, shoes, jackets, wallets, keys or coins before walking through the metal detectors.
All bags will continue to be checked upon entry to Dodger Stadium. Fans are encouraged to minimize the amount of items they bring into the stadium. Only bags with dimensions that comply with Major League Baseball’s standard of 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches will be admitted.
Fans will be asked to place large metal objects such as cellphones and sunglass cases on screening tables before walking thought the metal detectors.
Fans with strollers, in wheelchairs or with medical devices that set off metal detectors will be offered an alternative screening method.
The new security guidelines resulted from a recent study of best security practices and Major League Baseball’s work with the Department of Homeland Security to elevate and standardize initiatives across the sport.
New food choices at Dodger Stadium include fried Dodger Dogs at the Extreme Loaded Dogs location on the Field level; a breaded chicken sandwich and tenders; carne asada specialty fries at La Taqueria stands on the field and reserve levels; and Lasorda’s meatball marinara cone and meatball marinara specialty fries at Tommy Lasorda’s Italian Trattoria in the right field plaza.
Several nacho locations have been added throughout the stadium. The loaded helmet nachos will be available in vegetarian and vegan versions.
Four Reserve level food stands have been upgraded. Several portable beverage kiosks will be added throughout the stadium. There will be new bar locations on the Loge level entrance plazas and behind home plate and two stands on the Top Deck.
Expanded beer choices will be offered featuring Anheuser Busch’s full product line and local craft selections.
There will also be new food and drink areas on the Field level next to the escalators. Fresh salads, sandwiches and snacks will be available at the new grab & go location.
Another change at Dodger Stadium is a new public address announcer, with former KNX-AM (1070) and KABC-AM (790) reporter Todd Leitz replacing Eric Smith, who could not fulfill the season schedule because of other commitments.
All auto gates will open at 3:30 p.m. and all stadium gates at 4 p.m. for the 6:10 p.m. game, which concludes a three-game series. The Dodgers are trying to avoid being swept after losing to the Angels 3-2 Thursday and 6-0 Friday, both at Angel Stadium.
