For Metro Shuttle Ticket Holders, Riding To The U.S. Open Is a Breeze

Update, Friday, June 17: All Metro shuttle passes are now

Original Story: Next to the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, a line of green Peter Pan buses services crowds of U.S. Open spectators. Running every 10 to 15 minutes, the buses offer an alternative to high parking prices and traffic woes.

“The Metro was easy and cheap, only $8,” said Rodney Bolden, referring to the price of a shuttle pass. However, riders must make advance reservations for a ride, and tickets are for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Only a few hundred remain for Sunday, according to Transportation Management Services, the company contracted for the shuttle service.

“Today we took 2,500 into the course,” said Dave McCrae, Vice President and shuttle program manager for TMS.

Shuttle driver Guy Racine said that the buses have been full most of the day. The drivers will be working 14-hour shifts for the duration of the Open, he said.

Wednesday, TMS took 1,100 to 1,200 passengers to but with the tournament now underway the numbers are rising. According to McCrae, TMS caps ticket sales at 3,500.

Boldin bought his online yesterday. “There is no parking really by the course and I don’t want to park on someone's lawn,” he said.

 For those lucky enough to score shuttle tickets, heading in to the course from Grosvenor Metro Station has been a breeze.

 “Everything is great. I’m from New York City and the Metro is just as good [as the Subway],” said Richy Ragonese on his way into the station.

The Metro has not yet run the numbers for ridership for the day and is not sure if there as been an increase in passengers due to the Open.