Bay Area Transit Braces For 1 Million Giants Parade Revelers
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - More than one million people are expected to pack into San Francisco Wednesday for the Giants' ticker tape parade along Market St. in honor of the team's Sunday night World Series win.
That has Bay Area transit agencies adopting an "all hands" strategy to help get people in and out of the area as quickly - and safely - as possible.
"We are going to run every single train available," declared Alicia Trost, BART spokeswoman. "It's definitely all hands on deck."
Guide To San Francisco Giants World Series Parade
Suffice it to say, BART has some experience in planning for a parade. After all, it was just a few years ago that baseball fans flocked to San Francisco when the Giants won the World Series.
"Two years ago we had record ridership for this parade. We carried over 522,000 riders that day," recounted Trost.
Can't catch BART? How about a bus or boat?
"We will have boats standing by and we will add service as needed," explained Mary Currie, Public Affairs Director for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.
"Try to get your ticket before Wednesday," she added.
KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:
Caltrain is adopting a similar strategy - adding trains to the tracks before the parade, along with a new, post-parade plan.
"We hope to get people out of San Francisco as quickly as possible," said spokeswoman Christine Dunn. "Trains will depart when full, about every 15 minutes. And all trains will stop at all regular weekday stations."
San Francisco Municipal Railway is adding six light-rail trains to supplement service, Muni spokesman Paul Rose said. The extra service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Given the massive crowds expected, four reunification centers will be open along the parade route from the Financial District to Civic Center Plaza to unite missing kids with their guardians if need be.
"I think we can anticipate there will be quite a number of kids here," Mayor Ed Lee said.
Lee knows San Francisco Public Schools are open during the parade, but is realistic in assuming plenty of kids will be on hand.
Giants president and CEO Larry Baer accepted a gift from the mayor Tuesday of an orange paper dragon that can hold a World Series ball.
"The teamwork on the field is obviously a key part of why the Giants won the World Series, but the teamwork with the city has been extraordinary," Baer said.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:
Lee assured the entire police department will be mobilized to ensure a safe parade.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Market and Steuart streets and will proceed down Market Street, making a right at McAllister Street and ending at City Hall.
A celebration will follow in Civic Center Plaza.
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