City offers multiple ways to Chase Center without a car

With less than 24 hours to go before the Chase Center’s debut concert, San Francisco transit officials want to remind event-goers that public transit is the best way to and from the new venue that can seat more than 18,000 people.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has placed door hangers and signs inside buses, trains and subway stations as part of a campaign aimed at encouraging attendees to take transit in lieu of driving private vehicles.

It’s hard to tell how the public transit service will perform before and after Friday night’s inaugural concert featuring Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony, but officials have gone to great measures to offer multiple options.

A convenient choice is the T-Third rail line, which stops directly in front of the Chase Center, thanks to a new platform installed in August. The platform is designed to accommodate up to four two-car trains that can all run in the same direction when needed.

Anyone heading from the East Bay can take BART to the Embarcadero station and hop on the T just as they would if heading to Oracle Park. Shuttle trains will run to the Chase Center from the Embarcadero station.

BART passengers can also catch the N-Judah rail line and get off at Fourth and King streets. The walk to Chase Center from that stop will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

East Bay BART passengers can also get off at the Mission 16th Street station where they can then pick up Muni’s new 78X-16th Street Express bus service directly to the Chase Center, which will drop passengers off at 16th and Third streets.

The new bus service will run approximately two and half hours prior to each event and for 30 minutes after, according to the SFMTA. Riders heading back to BART after events can board at 16th and Illinois streets to catch the 78X.

Yet another new Muni route, the 79X-Van Ness Arena Express, will be available during event days. That service will make all transit stops along Van Ness Avenue on its way to the Chase Center. Heading back to Van Ness Avenue, the line will make one additional stop at the Mission 16th Street BART station.

In addition, Muni offers three bus lines that stop near the venue, including the 55-16th street bus, the 48-Quintara/24th Street and the 22-Fillmore, which will all maintain regular schedules.

Biking is another option as the Chase Center will offer valet bike parking in partnership with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. The valet service is located near the corner of 16th and Third streets. The coalition provides the same service at Oracle Park.

Ferry service to the Chase Center will be available at Pier 48 1/2, but not until early October. Regional operators, such as the Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry, will provide service, but operators have yet to release finalized schedules.

As a reminder for anyone heading to shows or games at the Chase Center, the event ticket will act as a Muni boarding pass for buses and trains on the day of the event.