SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With the Oakland A’s coming to play in West Sacramento, the clock is ticking to figure how to get people comfortably in and out of the ballpark.
Sacramento City Council member Eric Guerra is proposing a three-year shuttle bus program. If created as he proposed, baseball fans could park in a Sacramento parking garage and get to and from the ballpark when the A’s come to town.
“The whole stadium holds 14,000 people. Imagine 14,000 people trying to drive over the bridge or are stuck on the causeway,” said Guerra. “That gives us a huge opportunity to take advantage of those 81 home games and really maximize it.”
Guerra says the proposal gives fans another option to the ballpark, decreases vehicle traffic around the ballpark and helps boost local businesses.
The council member’s proposal was supported by other members on the city’s Budget and Audit Committee Tuesday, hoping it can be in place before the season opener.
“Another opportunity for cross jurisdiction collaboration, just like free ride RT,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
Guerra says the proposal could also help decrease the air pollution in the area.
“Having a year run up time helps us really think through about how we can pump the primer on our economy. This is an important time for us, all of our cities, and our state is looking at a budget deficit,” said Guerra. “That will help all of us in a better time moving forward.”
There's no word on when the city will decide on the proposal. The A’s plan to play in West Sacramento for at least three years until the stadium in Las Vegas is completed.
