Metro and the Seattle Seahawks are teaming up again this season to provide quick, convenient transportation to all home football games – only this year the destination is the brand new Seahawks Stadium. The shuttles start with the first pre-season game this Saturday, Aug. 10.

[enlarged view: 51K] Seahawks shuttles will arrive and depart at the Weller Street Pedestrian Bridge (foreground above) or inside the International District Tunnel Station, a few steps to the north.

Metro will provide non-stop shuttle service for Saturday and Sunday Seahawks games from seven local park and ride lots: Shoreline; Northgate; South Kirkland; Eastgate; Kent; Star Lake; and Federal Way. Last year, more than 328,000 Seahawks fans used these special shuttles.

Boarding will begin at Park and Ride lots two hours prior to game time. Buses leave every 20 minutes, or when full. At most locations, the last bus will leave the lots 45 minutes prior to game time. The last trips to the game from Kent, Star Lake and Federal Way will leave an hour before kickoff due to their distance from the stadium.

There are some other changes for the 2002 season:

• The Seahawks Stadium Shuttle drop-off and pick-up locations will be inside the International District Tunnel Station, or at street level at Fifth Avenue South and South Weller Street. The International District Station is just a short walk from the north end of the stadium via the Weller Street Pedestrian Bridge to Fifth Avenue;

• This year's Seahawks Special Service fare has been set at $3 each way; and Metro accepts cash only. Seahawks fans will not be able to flash game tickets for a free ride on Metro;

• No other passes, tickets, or transfers will be accepted on the football shuttles except for Metro Visitors Passes;

• Metro will be providing post-game only service for the Seahawks Monday night game scheduled for Oct. 14.

After the game, passengers should board buses to Northgate and Shoreline northbound in the International District Tunnel Station. Board Federal Way, Kent and Star Lake buses southbound in the tunnel. And, board shuttles to Eastgate and South Kirkland at street level southbound on 5th Avenue South at South Weller Street.

Color-coded signs will provide directions to the bus loading area for each Park and Ride location. Staff with color-coded signs will direct riders to the correct bus. Buses will depart when they are completely full, and will make no other stops.

Football fans can also ride regularly scheduled transit service to Seahawks Stadium. Use Metro's online Trip Planner to plan a trip from point-to-point using regular Metro service. Simply enter Seahawk Stadium as the destination. Or, passengers can call Metro Rider Information at (206) 553-3000 – TTY users call (206) 684-1739 – for trip planning assistance. Passengers should pay the appropriate fares on all regularly scheduled transit service.

For more information about Metro’s Seahawks Shuttles, visit Metro Online.

Security at Seahawks Stadium will include bag searches. Due to NFL policy, no soft-sided containers, coolers, or large bags (bigger than 12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches) are permitted into Seahawks Stadium and Exhibition Center on Seahawks game days. Guests may bring in items in small, clear plastic bags. If you are riding Metro to the game, personal belongings cannot be left on buses, and there are no facilities for storing restricted items.