MTS increases Green Line trains for Chargers game

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The Metropolitan Transit System will increase the number of Green Line trains that provide direct service to Qualcomm Stadium from downtown San Diego and Santee before and after today’s sold-out San Diego Chargers-New England Patriots game.

The increased service from downtown to the stadium will begin at 11 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. between Santee and the stadium, according to Rob Schupp, the director of marketing and communications for MTS. After the game, extra Green Line service will operate in both directions as needed.

Charger fans using the Trolley are strongly encouraged to travel early as transit center parking lots will fill up fast and trains will be crowded or at capacity after 3:30 p.m. Passengers attempting to board trains after 3:30 p.m. should expect delays as trains reach capacity at stations closest to the stadium.

Trolley stops with the highest capacity for free parking along the Green Line are the Hazard Center Station (1,500 free parking spots on the lower level); the El Cajon Transit Center (469 free parking spaces); Old Town Transit Center (412 free parking spaces); and Grantville Trolley Station (404 free parking spaces), Schupp said.

The Chargers are advising fans who will be driving to the game to arrive early. The parking lot will open at 1:30 p.m., four hours before kickoff. The parking lot is expected to fill early. Fans are encouraged to carpool or use public transportation. Fans can follow chargersgameday on Twitter for traffic, Trolley and parking lot updates from the stadium.

Long lines are expected at the entry gates to Qualcomm Stadium, with the Chargers urging fans to head to the gates no later than 4:30 p.m.

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps will accept new unwrapped toys and cash at Qualcomm Stadium’s gates and finger walks for the Chargers 25th annual “Toys for Tots” drive. The toys will be delivered to deserving children throughout San Diego through various charitable organizations.

The Chargers will wear their powder blue alternate jerseys for the second and final time this season. Powder blue was the Chargers original color. It reappeared in 1994 during the NFL’s 75th anniversary season. Since then, the Chargers have worn powder blue jerseys 27 times, posting a 15-12 record, including a 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Oct. 19.

This will be the first “Sunday Night Football” game at Qualcomm Stadium since 2011. The Chargers have won three consecutive games to improve to 8-4. They are in second place in the AFC West, one game behind the Denver Broncos. The Patriots are 9-3, leading the AFC East by two games and sharing the league’s best record with four other teams.