Buses to ferry fans to LSU for games

Advocate staff photo by PATRICK DENNIS -- Mayor Kip-President Kip Holden, right, speaks during a Capital Area Transit System press conference where officials announced the resumption of LSU Touchdown Express Game Day Service. Bus service will be provided to the LSU campus from downtown and the new L'Auberge Casino Hotel on River Road, south of LSU. Behind Holden is Baton Rouge City Court Judge Susan Ponder, left and Capital Area Transit System CEO Brian Marshall, center.

Capital Area Transit System is launching the Touchdown Express service for its third year, bringing Tiger fans to and from LSU’s campus from downtown Baton Rouge and the new L’Auberge Casino Hotel, officials announced Monday.

CATS Chief Executive Officer Brian Marshall said the football bus route carried 3,000 riders from downtown to Tiger Stadium for football games last year.

Last year, the route generated about $12,000 in fare income, said Gary Owens, chief financial officer.

Marshall said he thinks the service will be self-sustaining next year, once the grant has dried up.

The L’Auberge casino opens Aug. 29, just in time for LSU’s Sept. 1 season opener against North Texas.

Marshall said casino officials believe there will be about 400 people traveling from its hotel to campus for each game day.

He said the downtown service has been very successful so far.

“Last year they had about 20 buses and every seat was filled back and forth,” Marshall said.

The bus service caters to people who wish to avoid campus traffic and parking fees on campus, and it also spreads the game day experience downtown.

This will be the first year the North Boulevard Town Square will be open for football season.

Downtown Development District Executive Director Davis Rhorer said Town Square will be filled with music and activities for Tiger fans who wish to start their game day downtown.

He also said games and highlights will shown on the flat screen display in the Town Square.

The $4 round-trip service will have stops at:

• Hotel Indigo and the Hilton Hotel at Lafayette and Convention streets;
• Florida Boulevard at the Interstate 110 underpass;
• North Boulevard Town Square, which is adjacent to North Boulevard and Third Street; and
• L’Auberge Casino Hotel.

Bus passes will be sold at the CATS bus terminal, Hotel Indigo, Embassy Suites, L’Auberge Casino Hotel and the Marriott during business hours and at the Florida/I-110 underpass on game days.