Metro Media Relations - Press Release

photo: juan ocampo

MTA Directors John Fasana, at left, and Michael D. Antonovich, at right, join with the 2005 Rose Court at Memorial Park Station in Pasadena to proclaim the Metro Gold Line as the designated train of 2005 Tournament of Roses^® events. Rose Queen Ashley Moreno, center, is surrounded by, from left, princesses Lisa Pallay, Jennifer Propper, Kara Murphy, Allison Pedro, Alaire Hanashian and Megan Sheehan.

The County of Los Angeles proclaimed the Metro Gold Line the designated train of the 2005 Tournament of Roses^® events today at a special ceremony with the 2005 Rose Queen^® and Royal Court in Pasadena.

With approximately one million spectators expected to attend parade festivities, the Metro Gold Line is now the best method of transportation for revelers wanting to escape the hassles of driving and high cost of parking in and around Pasadena starting New Year's Eve.

"Metro's Gold Line will help make this year's Rose Parade a great success by providing spectators with a safe, convenient and affordable way to enjoy the parade, the Rose Bowl football game and post-parade float viewing," said Michael D. Antonovich, Los Angeles County Supervisor, who presented the proclamation to Metro. "The Gold Line is a vital link in our County's transportation system, and the next phase to Claremont will provide the same opportunity to even more citizens in our San Gabriel Valley communities."

This New Year's Eve Metro will be operating its rail lines all night long to enable parade attendees to get an early place along the parade route. What's more, Metro trains and buses will be free of charge from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. to encourage New Year's partygoers to use public transit instead of driving, helping to ensure L.A. County streets and freeways stay safe.

"The Metro Gold Line has now become an important part of the success of the parade," said Caryn Eaves, Director of Public Relations for the Tournament of Roses Association. "This year as we 'Celebrate Family,' we welcome the return of an important family member -- commuter rail service to Pasadena. Up until last year, that service was missing since the last Pacific Electric Red Cars brought parade goers to Pasadena over 50 years ago."

"If last New Year's 45,000 train boardings are any indication, Metro will make a significant contribution to reducing vehicle traffic during this year's parade activities," said John Fasana, City of Duarte Councilmember and Metro Board Member. "For a great many spectators, the Gold Line will be a welcome relief from the crush of area traffic, allowing them to get in and out of Pasadena quickly and easily. And because the Gold Line connects with other rail and bus lines across Los Angeles County, nearly everyone can travel by Metro to participate in these world-renowned celebrations."

Four Metro Gold Line stations serve parade activity areas. The Memorial Park and Del Mar stations are about two blocks from the parade route. The Lake and Allen stations are approximately four blocks from the parade route.

Rose Bowl football game attendees can exit the Memorial Park station and walk a short distance down Holly Street to the Parsons parking lot at 100 West Walnut Street and catch a free shuttle to the game.

For post-parade float viewing, revelers can take the Metro Gold Line to Sierra Madre Villa Station in East Pasadena, where they can board a specially marked Metro Bus for direct service to Victory Park where floats will be displayed Jan. 1-2. Shuttles will be departing from Sierra Madre Villa until about 3:30 p.m. each day. Regular fares will apply.

Attending parade festivities is easy using the $3 Metro Day Pass. Passes can be used for traveling on both Metro Bus and Rail and are valid from the time of purchase until 2 a.m. the next day. Tickets can be purchased on board Metro Buses or at ticket vending machines at Metro Rail stations.

On New Year's Day, Metro Bus and Rail will operate on holiday schedule. To obtain specific timetable information, visit metro.net or call 1-800-C-O-M-M-U-T-E.