Concern about game-night gridlock on the roads surrounding the new Washington Nationals ballpark is leading D.C., transit and team leaders to consider a special “ballpark fare” for those fans who ride Metro to the stadium.

The reduced price fare is “one of the things that we’re discussing,” Metro spokeswoman Candace Smith said.

“We’re talking with the Nationals, and we’re exploring lots of different ways that we can encourage people to take Metro to the new ballpark,” Smith said.

The average weeknight game at the 41,000-seat South Capitol Street stadium, slated to open in April 2008, is projected to draw roughly 27,000 fans.

This story continues below
Advertisement

Of those, 49 percent would arrive by transit, 40 percent by car and 8.5 percent on a bicycle or by foot.

Neither side would release details of talks between Metro and the Nationals — including what entity or government would absorb the cost.

The ballpark is less accessible by vehicle than RFK Stadium, and roads in some parts of Southeast and Southwest are expected to be gridlocked on game nights.

Officials are urging transit use.

“Together with the Nationals and Metro, we’re looking at various ways to increase public transit use to the ballpark,” D.C. Department of Transportation spokesman Erik Linden said. “At this time, we haven’t reached any decisions on what form those incentives would take on.”

But slashing the fare for the Nats’ fans is unnecessary, said Metro Board Member Dana Kauffman of Fairfax County.

“Most of the people from the Northern Virginia area already are taking the train,” Kauffman said. “I don’t think that’s a needed incentive.”

The special rate was mentioned briefly in the most recent version of the ballpark’s draft Transportation, Operations and Parking Plan, a handbook for D.C. agencies listing specifically what they will need to do before, during and after a home game.

It details everything from parking lot locations and pedestrian movement to traffic signal timing and the placement of directional signs.

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com