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Fans will be able to ride Muni for free to games, concerts and special events at San Francisco’s Chase Center, the new home of the Golden State Warriors which opens in September.
The new program, aimed at reducing car traffic congestion and boosting public-transit ridership for Chase Center events, was announced July 24 by San Francisco mayor London Breed as a partnership between the Warriors and the the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
It’s called a “Transit Bundling” program, in which Chase Center event tickets double as Muni tickets for event patrons. The Warriors are footing the tab for the program.
“We want people to take public transit to Chase Center, so we’re making it affordable and easy to do so,” Breed said. “This breakthrough agreement demonstrates the commitment by both the city and the Warriors to get people out of their cars, so everyone can easily get to games and concerts.”
How it works: Any Chase Center attendee who shows an event ticket — in physical or electronic format — at a Muni turnstile or boarding platform will be able to ride without charge.
The Warriors are investing millions of dollars in transportation infrastructure for the new building, says Warriors president and chief operating officer Rick Welts. “One of the best things about Chase Center is how easy it will be to get to by train, by bus, by ferry, by bicycle and by walking. We are embracing this innovative tool because it may be the best incentive yet to get people to take Muni, and that’s important to the Warriors, our patrons, our neighbors and this city.”
Let me take you on a guided tour inside the @warriors new @ChaseCenter. (Plus, you'll get to hear me rap.) https://t.co/qEpgzdKEWX
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 22, 2019
San Francisco is one of the first cities to offer this kind of program for arena events. The only other city with an NBA team to do so is Phoenix, home of the Phoenix Suns.
“We are delighted to see the Golden State Warriors embrace San Francisco’s ‘transit first’ values by making Chase Center one of the most transit-friendly arenas in the United States,” says Tom Maguire, SFMTA acting director of transportation. “Bundling transit fares with event tickets will make riding public transit a more compelling, convenient and ultimately sustainable transportation option for Chase Center patrons.”
The Warriors reportedly chose this Mission Bay location in large part because of its “transit-rich location,” according to a news release, including a Muni Metro T Line stop, dedicated Muni special event bus shuttles (78X and 79X), and a Muni stop serving the 55, 48 and 22 lines within a block. Expect ferry service at the temporary Ferry Terminal at Pier 48 to serve Warriors games and large events, as well as at Pier 52. There will also be connections available to BART’s 16th Street/Mission and Embarcadero station, and Caltrain at Fourth and King Streets.
