Its going to be brutal going to the games. As time goes on, watch for even more no-shows. Giants, Jets watch concert traffic snafus to evaluate parking problem Sunday, July 8, 2007 By DAVID A. MICHAELS STAFF WRITER While Saturday's Live Earth concert addressed the environment and climate change, the New York Giants and New York Jets were studying another problem: parking. The teams -- whose parking will be limited next season by the same Meadowlands Sports Complex construction faced by Live Earth -- organized satellite parking for about 6,000 music fans in a warren of lots near Route 17 in Lyndhurst. However, they failed to hire enough shuttle buses to take people to the stadium, and by early afternoon most fans were complaining about waits of an hour or more to board a bus. "This was a great opportunity to test," said William D. Squires, a consultant for stadium operations to the two National Football League teams. "We found some holes, and we are going to have to fix it. It can be better, simply put." Fans who spent the day under the hot sun agreed. Many said they did not anticipate the wait for a shuttle bus. "We thought it would be much more organized," said Kate Barone, 32, of Morristown. "If they are parking everybody off site, they should have a lot more buses." Some concert-goers lost patience and called taxi services. Others tried to walk to the stadium, and organizers confirmed that they spotted people walking on busy Route 3 toward the stadium. "We didn't have a traffic issue here," said Kevin Carroll of Wayne, who arrived earlier than most. "We had a bus issue." Others who also attend football games objected to the $20 parking price and the distance from the stadium. "If we are going to have to come out here, we're not going," said Jon Santos of Morristown, who said he has been attending Giants games for 10 years. The teams will be limited to about 23,500 on-site parking spaces this year for a stadium that seats 80,242. Their new stadium is scheduled to open in 2010, when the parking situation is expected to improve. Until then, about 70 buses will shuttle fans between Lyndhurst and the stadium on game days. There were only 24 buses Saturday, when about 3,000 cars parked in Lyndhurst. Organizers added 10 buses during the day and said they hoped to have 50 to transport fans back to their cars Saturday night. But concert-goers were not placated. "This is ridiculous," said Shaun Rothberg of Centereach, Long Island. "They charge us $20, which is the same amount as the spaces close to the stadium, and they make us stand in this line." As the day wore on, the line stretched around a nearby apartment complex, and some fans became more intoxicated. Beer cans were visible in some parking lots despite an advisory given to drivers that "tailgating is strictly prohibited in the satellite parking lots."
It's going to be a rough season. We buy our season tickets from a family friend who gives us 3 of his 5 seats. However, only one parking pass is given out, so we'll be the ones waiting to be bussed in. It's horrible b/c we're the ones who do all of the tailgating. Sounds like poor planning to me, but there's not much we can do. And I want to make one thing clear....regardless of this parking problem, there's no way in hell I'll miss a game. It angers me beyond belief that some "fans" won't show up to the games this year b/c they're being inconvenienced to a degree. Go to the game, or give the tickets to someone who doesn't mind catching a bus to watch his/her JETS!
It's gonna suck. But it won't be that bad for the people who live an hour or less away. It's really going to suck for people who live in Penn,LI and farther into CT. I guess i picked a good season to move out of the North East.
Im confused.. How does it suck less if you live < 1 hour away? Parking is parking, and it's going to suck for all.
I think it will still suck. But as someone coming from LI driving to the stadium was a nightmare. So spending 1 1/2 in the car getting to the lot then have an hour wait for a bus is insane.
True, but the parking part of it sucks the same for everyone... the driving part sucked before and still will suck... Actually, that's not true... Although marginal, I think the drive will IMPROVE a little bit... (traffic wise). I think more people will drive in groups to try to use that 1 parking pass.
Okay so I can get this right. Ive got season tickets an I get the parking right next to the stadium every year. Now that means that I still get to park there right? Is is still right next to the stadium? Also my dad said theres no tailgating even if you park near the stadium? is that true??
You should get 1 pre-paid ticket for parking, which yes, you can park next to the stadium with. You can't just drive up and park there anymore. And yes, I think they are going to crack down on tailgating in places where you take up more than 1 parking spot. If you want to sit by your car in the spot it was in or just behind it I don't think they mind.
Because someone like me who lives 3+ hours gets the parking nightmare,exiting delays turnpike traffic and possible shuttle nightmare on top of the 3+ hour drive home.
If I go to any games, I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up taking the Port Authority bus thanks to this mess.
I think the whole take up 2 or more spaces for a tailgate when you have 1 car is bullshit anyway. So i wouldn't have a problem seeing that go. Move your fat ass to a sidewalk or something
PARKING WILL SUCK!! 4 tailgators Just went to live earth WOW parking was horrible. I did purchase my parking pass to park in the stadium lot for jet games but. Gate A parking is gone. they are taking down one gate a spiral and the espn and bud tents are down. Anyhow I went to live earth and had to park in the desginated parking and was bused in. WOW no grills or beer in them lots. about 10 cop cars driving around yelling at every one. No chairs no nothing! HORRIBLE.. u can only carry what u fit on ur lap on the bus. u can take beer. during the concert buses ran every 15 min to and from. it was horrible in glad i bought my pass..
But it still doesn't suck MORE than it did last year in terms of the driving... so you can take that out of the equation, which leaves CRAPPY PARKING for EVERYONE.. not just those with a long drive.
I think my streak ends this year, I have been going to every game since 1990 but I am not about to deal w/ that traffic nightmare. I'll start going again when they move into the new Stadium.
well,if the parking situation take more time than it did last year to go to a game,and i have to add it on to my already longer than your travel time,then it sucks more for me,technically. But i don't want to take anything away from your right to claim how much this sucks for you personally or anyone else. So yes,crappy parking for everyone.
However, I bet with the limited parking, and everyone going into the main lot being PREPAID, if you have one of those prepaid tickets, it'll be FASTER getting in. My entire point is your drive blows, we all know that, but because it sucks doesn't make parking worse for you than anyone else. It's a total shitshow for EVERYONE. That's all I am saying.
