Torontonians attending concerts at the newly-built Rogers Stadium this summer will be in for a free ride, quite literally, as TTC and GO fares will be free for attendees heading home.
On Thursday, City of Toronto and Ontario government officials announced the free rides, which will be available for fans commuting from the outdoor concert venue, located at the former Downsview Airport lands.
“To get you home or back to your car, we are providing free rides home on the TTC and GO Transit after all 14 shows this summer!” the venue’s website says.
After the concerts, fans will be able to take a TTC train for free at the Downsview Park, Sheppard West, and Wilson stations, or GO train at Downsview Park station. Service will also be increased in the area, with trains coming more often.
The announcement was made during a media tour of Rogers Stadium on Thursday, which is set to open its doors this Sunday for its inaugural concert, starring K-Pop sensation Stray Kids.
During the first concert, GO Transit will also include three additional southbound Barrie line trains from Downsview Park to Union Station to help commuters get home.
The outdoor venue will welcome up to 50,000 fans per show for a series of exciting concerts this summer, including Coldplay, BLACKPINK, Chris Brown and more.
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The announcement about free transit rides comes after Live Nation revealed there would be no public parking at the stadium, while parking in general will be “extremely limited” near the venue.
“Parking onsite and in the surrounding area is extremely limited. If driving to Rogers Stadium is necessary, parking is available at a number of satellite parking lots at nearby TTC subway stations. In addition to TTC lots, paid commuter parking will be available at York University, offering convenient and quick access by subway to the concert venue via York University Station,” the venue’s website says.
In light of this limitation, the company is encouraging commuters to take public transit to the stadium instead.
“The best way to get to the venue is by taking TTC or GO Transit,” the website states.
@nowtoronto Heading to a show at Rogers Stadium this summer? Now Toronto will show you how to get there taking the TTC. #RogersStadium #TTC #Straykids #Coldplay #BLACKPINK #ChrisBrown ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
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Nevertheless, online, Ontarians are concerned about being able to comfortably access the venue, especially since its nearest transit stations are still a 20-minute walk away from the stadium.
“Not sure where in Downsview Park the Rogers Stadium is, but I do other stuff in the Park and the walk from the subway feels like it takes a million years and BikeShares are only available 30 per cent of the time. [It] would be good to add way more BikeShares here to also encourage public transit,” one Reddit user suggested.
“[It’s] gonna be suuuuch a s**tshow getting 50,000 people in and out of the area with no parking and a 20-minute walk to transit,” another user said.
“50K seating and no parking. Genius plan. Disrupt the neighbourhood, and make traffic a nightmare,” an X user also said.
