Churchill announces changes in Derby/Oaks Day transportation

Churchill announces changes in Derby/Oaks Day

transportation

Churchill Downs Racetrack, working with the Louisville Metro Police

Department and other law enforcement and public

safety partners, has developed a new plan for taxi cab and bus drop-off and

pick-up of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Day patrons designed to create a

more convenient and efficient environment for fans traveling to-and-from the

track via those means of transportation on its biggest days.

Attendance at the 2012 Kentucky Derby was 165,307, which broke a record set one year earlier, and

Kentucky Oaks attendance was 112,552, the second-largest crowd in the

history of that event. Churchill Downs has estimated that 18,000 patrons

traveled to-and-from the track via taxi on Derby and Oaks days, while the

two-day transportation number for shuttle buses was estimated at 15,000.

The revised Kentucky Derby and Oaks transportation plan

includes:

"Our record-setting Kentucky Derby crowds of the past two

years and Kentucky Oaks attendance that annually soars past 100,000 are a

testament to the enduring allure of these great events, but those growing

numbers prompted us to re-think transportation logistics in an effort to make

the experience more efficient and positive for our fans," said Kevin Flanery,

president of Churchill Downs.

"The Louisville Metro Police Department, an

essential partner in ensuring the safety of Derby and Oaks fans, along with

other public safety partners, bus partner Miller Transportation and local taxi

companies, contributed to the redesign of the Derby and Oaks transportation

model. We are confident these changes will improve the customer experience for

those who rely on buses and cabs on these very special days."

The reworking of the pedestrian area outside of Gates 1 and 17 provides a

larger footprint to allow patrons a simpler entry and exit from Churchill Downs

on its biggest days. The relocation of the taxi cab line, previously located

immediately outside of Gate 1, to the new 4th and Central location provides an

expanded footprint for the unloading and loading of buses that transport patrons

on Derby and Oaks Days to-and-from parking lots at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium,

the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (KFEC) and

shuttle locations in downtown Louisville.

As many as 10 Miller Transportation buses will be able to

load or unload at any time. Previously, a maximum of six buses were positioned

in the area at any one time. The expanded area creates more queuing space and

allows for additional lines for patrons waiting to board buses bound for their

individual destinations. Most of the Miller Transportation buses are equipped

with front and rear exits and will meet ADA regulations for accessibility.

"Fans have many options to get to-and-from Churchill Downs

on Oaks and Derby Days, but travel by shuttle buses and taxis should be faster

and more efficient because of the expansion and improvement of our facilities to

accommodate both modes of transportation," said Ryan Jordan, general manager of

Churchill Downs.

"Our close look at the totals of taxi and bus traffic during

last year's Derby, shuttle buses seem to be underutilized and have potential

growth in 2013 given the expanded layout of the boarding area and the fleet of

comfortable Miller Transportation buses that will be traveling to-and-from

Churchill Downs throughout both days."

Round-trip shuttle prices for both Kentucky Oaks and Derby

Days vary by location. A round-trip shuttle ticket from downtown

Louisville to Churchill Downs costs $20 each day, and the price is $15 each day

from both Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and the Kentucky Fair and Exposition

Center. The price of parking at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on Oaks and Derby

Days is $15 per day and parking in the KFEC lots will cost $8 daily.

The new Taxi Depot, located adjacent to the Wagner's

Pharmacy building at 4th and Central, has space for the positioning of as many

as 30 cabs for pick-up and drop-off of patrons at peak times on Oaks and Derby

Days. The new taxi location is an approximate four to five minute walk for

patrons exiting from Gates 1 and 17, but only seconds from the infield entrance

at Gate 3. The previous taxi stop near Gate 1 could handle a maximum of 10 to 12

cabs at peak times, and track officials estimate about half of the patrons that

travel by taxi to-and-from Churchill Downs on those days are infield patrons.

Special ADA-accessible vans will be available to transport

patrons who would have issues with the walk from Gates 1 and 17 to the new Taxi

Depot.

Churchill Downs will boost the numbers of its guest service

team assigned for duty at or near those admission gates to assist patrons who

have questions about the new bus and taxi cab locations.

To ease the flow of foot traffic outside the track, the

pedestrian walkway along Central Avenue will be expanded on Oaks and Derby Days

to include one lane of that street, a move that will reduce eastbound traffic to

one lane from 4th to 9th Streets. Fences will be erected following the racing

program on May 2 and the additional walking space will be available

for fans arriving at Churchill Downs for the 8 a.m. (EDT) opening

of admission gates on both Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Days.

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