Dodgers Fans: Take the Trolley

Do you like trolleys?

Dodger fans with tickets for Sunday's NLCS home opener at 5:22 p.m., this is an excellent time to find out. Because in all the excitement in Blue Heaven over the home team's ascension to the league championship series for the first time in two decades, fans might have overlooked that playoff parking will approximate blue hell.

But this year, there's a life raft – The Dodgers Trolley, a free city service introduced this summer to loosen parking congestion. The service, which shuttles fans between Union Station and Dodger Stadium, will begin loading at 3 p.m.

The shuttle route, which is less than two miles, connects with regional MTA bus and rail services, including the MTA Red, Purple, and Gold Lines. Metrolink and Amtrak services are available as well.

The trolley makes two stops as it travels along Sunset Blvd. on its way to Dodger Stadium. At Figueroa St., the shuttle connects with MTA Lines 2, 4, 55, 60; Metro Limited Lines 302, 304 and 355; as well as Metro Rapid Line 704. This stop allows passengers on LADOT's DASH Lincoln Heights/Chinatown service to easily connect to the stadium.

The second stop at Marion Ave. connects the shuttle service with MTA Lines 2 and 4 arriving from the west. The return trip includes all of the same stops. For more trolley information, visit www.dodgers.com/trolley.

Another option to beat the chaos – bicycles, which can park for free in Lot P, which is located by the Top of the Park store.

But if you insist on driving and paying $15 for parking ($35 for limos and other oversized vehicles), leave early. Even earlier than early, if possible. Stadium officials emphasize the lots will sell out. The gates open at 2:30. Also, check for live traffic updates on KABC 790 AM.

Just to tease us, the speed limit in the Dodger Stadium parking is 14 miles per hour; you'll be lucky if you hit double digits. Go here for more official stadium parking information.

And then there's getting out. That's another story. Good luck!