Councilmember wants end to shuttles to Nats Park

WASHINGTON -- Baseball fans who took free shuttle buses from RFK Stadium to Nationals Park as a way to get to games this past season -- may be out of luck next year.

D.C. Councilmember Tommy Wells tells WTOP he is recommending to the Nationals that the shuttles stop running in 2009.

"The buses add a layer of traffic that is not necessary. I would like to see them stop running."

Wells says he has received numerous complaints from residents in Ward 6 about the danger of the buses as they pass through neighborhoods. Some buses also sit and idle in less than desirable locations.

Traffic troubles that were predicted around the stadium never really did materialize in the ballpark's first year. Wells thinks that's all the more reason to discontinue the bus service.

"We had great response of people on Metro. Fans also responded by walking to the ballpark and taking bikes. We did not have that crush that was expected."

Metro recently released figures showing that more than half of fans who went to games at Nats Park this season did use Metrorail to get there.

As of right now, the Nationals have not announced any plans to change the shuttle bus service next season.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)