The lack of Chargers-related express bus service from North County could complicate traffic around the area in Mission Valley.

Chargers officials yesterday advised fans to head to the stadium earlier than usual, preferably via car pool or the Metropolitan Transit System's trolley service.

They said Qualcomm's gates will open at 3 p.m. The 7 p.m. game, an expected sellout, pits the Chargers against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Federal Transit Administration recently ordered an end to game-time express bus service by the North County Transit District and the Metropolitan Transit System. Federal officials said the service encroached on what private bus companies might offer.

But Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, persuaded the agency to let Metropolitan continue its weekend express routes while a review of the new rule takes place. The agency's officials granted the waiver for games in the first part of the regular season, starting Sept. 7.

During a news conference yesterday, Filner said he is seeking a permanent reversal of the FTA ban. He called the policy “ridiculous” in light of high gasoline prices and the growing interest in public transit.

Metropolitan provides game-time express buses linking Qualcomm to Kearny Mesa, University City, Mira Mesa, La Mesa and Chula Vista.

Until this summer, the North County Transit District had run express buses for Chargers games out of Escondido and Oceanside.

For tomorrow's game, the North County agency plans to beef up service on its Coaster commuter train. It will add a 4:30 p.m. southbound train out of Oceanside tomorrow and run a special northbound train that will leave Old Town 90 minutes after the game.

For the Aug. 25 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, the agency will add a 2:30 p.m. southbound train out of Oceanside, then operate a northbound train that will depart from Old Town 90 minutes after the game.

People at the Old Town transit hub can reach Qualcomm by taking the trolley.

Chargers officials said they have had no luck finding a private charter firm willing to offer adequate express bus service on game days.

Steve Schmidt: (619) 293-1380; steve.schmidt@uniontrib.com