Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Peter S. Kalikow were joined by Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon and Chief Executive of Pro Tennis, USTA Arlen Kantarian today to encouraged baseball and tennis fans planning on attending New York Mets games or the 2006 US. Open to use mass transit. This year, the Mets and US Open will overlap for seven days, staring Labor Day, Monday, September 4 through Sunday, September 10.

In order to accommodate the additional passenger load, the MTA will be adding 14 additional trains on the #7 Subway Line and doubling Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) weekend service on the Port Washington Branch, as well as adding stops for eight additional trains at Woodside prior to Mets weeknight games.

"When you're trying to get to the Mets game or the US Open, mass transit always is the fastest and easiest way," said Mayor Bloomberg. "When you go to root for the Mets or your favorite tennis player, the MTA can take you there - quickly and cheaply. It's the way to go to avoid traffic and make sure that your trip is fun from start to finish."

"We have been working with the Mayor, the Mets and the USTA to both increase service and to let everyone know that no matter where they live in the New York metropolitan region, they can reach Shea Stadium and the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center easily and economically on the MTA system," said MTA Chairman Kalikow. "Whether they take Metro-North, the Long Island Rail Road or New York City Transit subways and buses, there are dozens of ways to get to Mets games and the US Open, and they're all detailed on our website at www.mta.info."

This past spring, the MTA doubled LIRR weekend service (from hourly to half-hourly) on the Port Washington Branch to help serve Mets games. More recently the LIRR added stops for eight additional trains at Woodside prior to Mets weeknight games. MTA/New York City Transit (NYCT) runs up to 14 additional #7 trains after Mets games during the 35-minute period immediately after "sell-out" games.  NYCT is also scheduled to run 14 extra trains before and after USTA events that overlap Mets games.  Mayor Bloomberg also encouraged New Yorkers to "Take the Train to the Game" in a television spot sponsored by the MTA and the New York Mets.

"It's been a thrilling summer for the Mets and we welcome fans from the tri-state area and those visiting New York from around the world to be a part of the excitement at Shea Stadium, Labor Day night through September 10," said Jeff Wilpon. "We thank the City and MTA for enhancing and expanding service on the #7 Subway line and Long Island Rail Road -the fastest and easiest ways to get to Shea."

"The US Open is the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and we are again expecting record crowds over the next two weeks," said Chief Executive of Pro Tennis, USTA Arlen Kantarian.  "We encourage all savvy New Yorkers to take the 7 train, the LIRR, the free Orchard Beach Bus Shuttle, or other means of mass transit to ensure they don't miss a minute of the action.  The USTA would like to thank the Mayor and the MTA for all their efforts in encouraging fans to seek alternative means to getting to the Open."