SAN DIEGO – The Metropolitan Transit System announced Tuesday it will operate the Chargers Express bus service to all weekend home games at Qualcomm Stadium for the 2008 regular season.

The service, which has been provided to fans for more than 25 years, was being reconsidered this year because of stricter regulations imposed by the Federal Transit Administration, MTS officials said.

More than 100 private bus companies were given the opportunity to bid on the service, but no bids were made by Friday's deadline, officials said.

As a result, MTS will continue to operate its service from five locations in the county for all weekend home games during the regular season. The service starts on September 7 with the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, which starts at 1:15 p.m.

The round trip fare is $10. Buses depart two hours before a game with the last bus departing 45 minutes before kickoff. Buses leave Qualcomm Stadium 20 minutes after the final whistle.

The service is only for weekend home games and no buses will be provided for this Monday's pre-season game; the Sept. 22 game and the Dec. 4 game.

The buses can be boarded at:

  Kearny Mesa Traffic Court on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard

  Governor Drive & I-805

  Spring Street Trolley Station

  Mira Mesa Park-and-Ride lot

  Chula Vista High School (820 Fourth Ave.)

Go to www.sdmts.com for more information.

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