Lourdes - 11/6/2023 - 7:00 PM - ESPN+

[isuquinndog]

I was told by the ticket office that it will not be offered this year. Guess getting the $10 charge to park in the North & East of Hancock lots won out over the free shuttle.

That really sucks. Living in Carlock, it was super easy to come in from Raab/Gregory from the NW to that lot, ride the shuttle and back.

 

[SgtHulka]

Apparently, trying to raise more revenue. However, older fans may not be able to navigate the walk fron those lots especially in Crappie weather!

Wall I wonder how ridership was and how easy it was to retain drivers.

 

[Cindy00]

Wall I wonder how ridership was and how easy it was to retain drivers.

Plus the cost of it. I know people like the sound of a free bus but this wasn't free to athletics. Plus with less people going to games it opens up more parking close to the arena for people. Just please make sure if you are parking on the streets near the arena you are parking on a side of a street where it is allowed. A lot of side streets are pretty skinny and can't fit emergency vehicles down them if people park on both sides.

 

[4thRowRedbird]

I understand this isn’t free to athletics, but seems like a move backwards if we are truly wanting more fans in the seats. Another $10 to park if you don’t want to walk from a side street.
If you lower ticket prices for everyone, including season ticket holders (donation remaining the same) how many more people would you need to attend a game to make up for the lack of ticket revenue compared to how much you would gain in extra attendees and more concessions sold? No idea, just a thought. Clearly winning games should draw more people, but in the meantime, what’s the best way to draw more people?

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Plus the cost of it. I know people like the sound of a free bus but this wasn't free to athletics. Plus with less people going to games it opens up more parking close to the arena for people. Just please make sure if you are parking on the streets near the arena you are parking on a side of a street where it is allowed. A lot of side streets are pretty skinny and can't fit emergency vehicles down them if people park on both sides.

I used the shuttle service. It was convenient when taking my 4 y/o grandson. Many who used the shuttle had little kids. There were also a lot of elderly (including myself) who used it. The loss of this service will most likely result in many who depend on it due to physical/health reasons, and those with toddlers to opt not to attend games.
Yes, the service did add a cost to the Athletic Department. My suggestion would have been to add a small fee per passenger to offset the cost of providing the shuttle. I don’t think anyone using the shuttle would have had a problem with that. Most used it for its convenience, not because it was free.

 

[isuquinndog]

I assume the pay lots take cash and not just cards?

 

[Phantom]

I assume the pay lots take cash and not just cards?

Parked in the Ropp lot (just behind the scoreboard at Hancock) for a couple games last year, I think it was $8-10?

 

[Redbird82]

Sorry for the rant but this is so ISU. Let’s see…we have sucked the last few years so let’s Increase donations/ticket prices, eliminate Free parking take away the shuttle service. Man that should really increase attendance! Think of all the extra revenue we will bring in.

 

[SlackBooDom]

I think it was Reggie who said it, but this was textbook Brennan it seems. Come in, make a ton of changes without understanding the fan base to raise revenue, leave. It’s a shame because the shuttle was an excellent addition to get people to games safely.

 

[isuquinndog]

Parked in the Ropp lot (just behind the scoreboard at Hancock) for a couple games last year, I think it was $8-10?

Yes, it's $10. I was just wondering if they take cash or card only. My second job is a delivery driver so I use a lot of cash, which is the opposite direction of most of the world.

 

[SgtHulka]

Free parking on the other side of main. Can use the underpass. Not a bad walk if you're able and you can usually cut through Cindy's office to warm up like Horton. Has anyone asked why they dropped the service?.

 

[isuquinndog]

Sorry for the rant but this is so ISU. Let’s see…we have sucked the last few years so let’s Increase donations/ticket prices, eliminate Free parking take away the shuttle service. Man that should really increase attendance! Think of all the extra revenue we will bring in.

Maybe this will help. Smith Joins ISU Athletics As Associate AD for Revenue Generation - Illinois State University Athletics

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Free parking on the other side of main. Can use the underpass. Not a bad walk if you're able and you can usually cut through Cindy's office to warm up like Horton. Has anyone asked why they dropped the service?.

I have. Cost and decreased number of fans utilizing the service. I suggested charging a small fee to offset cost, and (if possible) reduce amount of buses used (at least until game attendance vastly increases).