Fans could soon arrive to Dodger’s games in style with a 1.2-mile-long gondola pitched by The Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit Project. The gondola line would stretch from Union Station to Dodger Stadium. Any fans with a ticket to the Dodgers game could ride the gondola for free, and access to the gondola would also be free to residents and business employees.
Supporters of the project say that it would ease traffic congestion, reduce emissions and prepare the city for the 2028 Olympic Games. The project is estimated to cost $550 million and was approved by the Metro Board.
According to ABC7.com, “it would be the first aerial gondola transit system to include a battery-electric backup system and could reduce emissions by over 150,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases over its lifetime.”
The gondola would cruise above homes and businesses in Elysian Park, Chinatown and other surrounding neighborhoods, prompting some backlash from residents of those neighborhoods who claim there must be an alternative solution to the gondola.
In a recent town hall meeting, the ‘Stop the Gondola Coalition’ met for people to discuss their concerns and opposition to the project. The coalition brings together citizens and leaders from 30 different organizations, and they plan to bring a list of alternative solutions to city leadership soon.
The coalition argues, “the proposed gondola is a vanity project for former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who still owns a portion of the stadium's parking lots.” The coalition’s best alternative solution is improving the existing Dodger Stadium Express bus line with an expanded zero-emission bus system.
The Dodger’s transportation plan is essential in a time when an increasing number of stadiums are moving to reduce parking lots and increase entertainment districts. Nearby San Francisco 49ers stadium recently overhauled their parking regulations, which was met with backlash from fans. Moving forward, public transportation options like the gondola, or the bus system proposed by the coalition could be the future-proofing solutions that stadium officials need.
