Trying to find a parking spot on game day is as difficult as hearing the snap count on a third down in Jordan-Hare.
David George, director of the Tiger Transit system, said he wants students to know there is a better, less stressful way to make it to the stadium and still have enough time to tailgate before the game.
"My best advice is to park in one of the alternate lots, and take the transit," George said.
Transit buses start running four hours before the game and finish their routes two hours after the game ends. They also run during the game, although less frequently, George said.
The University puts up signs Thursday morning before a home game, so people can find the location of alternate lots.
George said the University puts a lot of effort into notifying students about the places they can park on game day.
"We pick up fans in Tiger Town, by Sam's Club and at the mall," George said. "We also stop by the fields on Donahue and Lem Morrison, too."
George said the transit system takes fans from these lots to the stadium and runs approximately 55 buses on game days.
For the Arkansas State game, the buses carried roughly 18,000 fans to the stadium, George said.
"The Athletics Department paid for any tows the students incurred on the first game day," George said. "It was only for the first game though because we wanted to give people a chance to get acquainted with the system."
George said the University has contracted with Lewis Tow Company for the last two years. The company is not permitted to tow any vehicle unless the University approves, and they are required to have someone from the transit system present when they tow.
That way, the number of vehicles towed is limited to what is necessary, George said.
The towing company first takes pictures of the vehicle, for proof the vehicle was there, preventing students from claiming they were wrongfully towed.
They then move the vehicle to an on-campus destination, so students can easily retrieve their cars.
Fortunately, George said they don't have to tow many students, and hopes by the second game, people will get the message.
For Nick Clifton, senior in management information systems, taking the transit makes getting to the stadium on game day much easier than fighting the traffic.
"My friends and I park near Lem Morrison, ride the transit, and it stops right at our tailgate," Clifton said. "It's very convenient."
Clifton said after the first game, students should know what to do and what not to do when it comes to game day parking.
"All the school is doing is trying to use their resources efficiently and maximize every space," Clifton said.
George said he thinks the system works well, even if it might be an inconvenience for students to park so far away from campus.
"We ultimately want students to be safe on game day and not have issues with parking," George said.
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