Raiders, Public Agencies Say Stadium Parking, Traffic Improved After Complaints From First Full-Capacity Events At Allegiant Stadium

By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com

The Raiders and local transportation officials say the parking and traffic at Saturday’s Raiders game at Allegiant Stadium improved thanks to 3,250 roundtrip passenger rides from five new RTC game-day bus routes, stadium parking lots opening an hour earlier four hours before the 6PM game and 22,000 fans who reached the stadium from the Strip by walking on the Hacienda Avenue bridge.

Here are two main areas where lessons were learned, they said:

• Changes were made to move rideshare lots, add signage on roadways and identify better lane assignments.
• RTC’s “Game Day Express” bus service will better inform riders about the mobile app option and the need for exact fares to improve onboarding efficiency. The fare is only $2 each way, or $4 for the roundtrip.  RTC plans to work better on fan wait times, particularly upon departure, and adding signage for post-game pick-ups to make it easier for fans to identify their bus.

Here’s a prepared statement from Raiders President Dan Ventrelle: “We believe these improvements enhanced the overall experience of many fans. We will continue to evaluate and improve the program with every game and major event as we learn more about fan preferences.  The success and popularity of the RTC’s Game Day Express service was a real difference maker, and we look forward to continuing our work with all stadium partners.”

The Raiders, Clark County, RTC and Las Vegas Metro police worked on addressing transportation and parking problems after the full 100-capacity events on July 10 (Garth Brooks concert) and Aug. 1 (Mexico vs USA soccer game). A month ago, Raiders former president Marc Badain said the team would work  on improving traffic and parking.

Here was the postgame summary from the Raiders and the public agencies:

• About 22,000 fans reached the stadium via Las Vegas Blvd. and walked across the Hacienda bridge for both arrival and departure. More water stations were added on the Allegiant Stadium plaza in light of the triple-digit temperatures.
• Opening parking lots an hour earlier helped. They were open four hours before the game and Raiders encouraged more staggered arrivals, helping to reduce congestion prior to the game. This will continue.
• Parking lots surrounding the stadium were clear within an hour of the end of the game, where attendance was announced at 50,101..
• Onsite and adjacent lots were full of tailgaters despite the heat. Tailgating volume is expected to increase as temperatures drop. There are more than 6,000 spaces throughout multiple lots that accommodate tailgating.
• According to RTC’s Theresa Gaisser, stadium traffic near stadium was less congested conmpared to previous events. Around 5 pm, a vehicle crashed at the intersection of Russell Road and Valley View Boulevard, resulting in the intersection being closed. Traffic alerts and freeway signage provided messaging to guide motorists around this closure. She said post-game egress also saw a smooth traffic flow, lasting a little over an hour.
• Game Day Express transit service from five locations throughout the valley provided more than 6,500 passenger rides, or 3,250 round trips.
• RTC’s Francis Julien said the Deuce bus on the Strip was also in action. The Game Day Express drop-off and pick-up on Dean Martin Dr. next to the stadium was convenient and popular with riders.

 

RTC’s CEO, MJ Maynard issued this statement via press release: “Like the Raiders, we share a common goal to create and deliver a positive experience for fans, and we recognize the need for continual evolution and improvement of the program. While we expected strong interest from locals in our Game Day Express transit service, even we were a little surprised by demand for the service. We will continue to work with the Raiders to improve the program while ensuring we better educate and manage the expectations of our riders.”

The next Raiders home game is the regular-season opener when Las Vegas hosts the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football Sept. 13.

Here’s one fan’s feedback on the Allegiant Stadium parking and traffic issues. Phil Cory of Las Vegas:

The reality is that of 65k people that will attend Raider games, maybe about 25k truly understand what NFL game day is. The other remaining amount of folks will simply have to learn that this isn’t a quick little in/out like VGK games.

Moreover that it’s about the full experience and full day. I arrived at 2:00 pm to my tailgate lot and was vehicle #5 in the gates, with about 100 cars behind me coming in. Had the best time and experience. Then I watched every half hour, the number of vehicles coming in. The vast majority was at 5:00 pm. That tells me quite a bit.

So the problem isn’t with Raiders or Allegiant or the county etc. The problem is with the general public, namely those who aren’t familiar with attending NFL games. The only issues I saw were what you mentioned. The concession lines and how they move too slow, and back up into the walkways of the concourse. That’s something they’ll have to work on and figure out.

But keeping in mind that it’s the 4th event there, and the first NFL preseason game. I’m not one bit concerned. I have personally been a part of opening about 4-5 new stadiums or arenas when I was in the events business. Allegiant is doing a phenomenal job with everything. It’s a public problem that will likely work itself out by Broncos game on December 26……

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Here’s another comment from Darrell Padilla, of Henderson, who also got to the stadium early:

Our experience was overall very positive. I have lot pass for lot B. We showed up an hour before the parking opened 1pm after talking with the lot attendants who did not know where we should line up until the lot open they figured it out.

From that point on parking a tailgating went smooth. Leaving was similarly smooth. We entered about one hour early and lines were short and entry very quick. I’d say overall the experience was extremely good for the first football game as it was obvious staff and fans were still figuring things out.

My biggest disappointment was the cell and wifi in the stadium once the game started did not work at all for me. Also in my section (121) the armrests go backwards but knock over any drink in the drink holders…

 

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