Georgetown men’s basketball season ticket holders will now be able to choose which method of public transportation suits them best to make their way to Verizon Center all winter.
The Georgetown University Athletics Department announced Monday that free metro passes will be provided for student season ticket holders in order to make the trip to Verizon Center more convenient for students. The decision comes on the heels of record student ticket sales and at the request of various student fan groups, according to an athletic department press release.
“With student fan support at an all-time high, we had to find a creative solution that would provide quick, easy and safe transportation to and from the Verizon Center,” Athletics Director Bernard Muir said in thee release. “Working with Student Affairs, GU Transportation Services and [Washington Metro Area Transportation Authority], I am thrilled with the result.”
On weeknight games this season, buses will be available to shuttle students from McDonough Gymnasium to the Dupont Circle etro stop. At Dupont Circle, students can board the Red line and travel to the Gallery Place/Chinatown stop. For Hoya games that fall on weekends, the shuttle buses will take students across the Key Bridge to the Rosslyn Metro stop, where both Blue and Orange lines run to Metro Center.
After games, students can retrace their steps to Rosslyn, where shuttles will take them back to the Hilltop.
Students applauded the announcement, citing a lack in transportation in years past as a particular nuisance.
“I’m in favor of that, because they never had enough buses for everyone,” season-ticket holder Rachel Wynn (NHS ’08) said. In past years, Wynn said she has had to chase after buses in order to return to campus.
Shuttle buses will begin running two hours before game time to deliver fans in time for tip-off. Students shouldn’t have any trouble getting back to campus for the post-game party, either, because the shuttles will ferry Hoya fans to and from the Metro stop for two hours after the conclusion of each game.
But for some fans, the bus ride to Verizon was half the fun.
“I like the bus system. It’s cool to be on the bus with all the other screaming fans,” Nick Wertsch (COL ’09) said. “It sounds like a good plan, as long as you still get to ride the bus. That’s just as good as the game for a lot of people.”
The Athletic Department will provide additional information on the transportation system in each student ticket package. All students will be required to show their GOCards to receive their etro passes, and the offer will not be available for games that take place over winter break.
“As long as they have enough metro passes for everyone, then I think it is a great idea,” Vanessa Otarola (NHS ’08) said. “Now I will be able to decide when I leave to go to the game.”
