OAKLAND -- The A's intend to enhance the fan experience at their proposed new ballpark with a gondola that would ease access to the stadium.
The price tag for adding this system would be $123 million, team president Dave Kaval said. It would be privately financed and would require approval from various state and local agencies.
Ideally, Kaval said Saturday at the team's FanFest, the gondola would be ready to operate in 2023, when the new park is projected to open.
Kaval noted that the Dodgers and Nationals are expected to launch gondola operations to help fans approach the gates.
"This is becoming a more mainstream transit option here in North America," he said.
Around 30 to 35 passengers could ride in each cabin, which would connect downtown with the ballpark by traveling on a line above Washington Street, crossing Highway 880 and the railroad tracks on the Embarcadero. Stations would be located at the Marriott City Center near the 12th Street BART station and Jack London Square.
Each ride would last approximately three minutes. The Jack London Square station would be located about a three-minute walk from the ballpark.
A pricing structure for passengers has not been established, Kaval said. Rides would operate daily and, given the picturesque views they would afford, could become an entertainment option.
"In San Francisco, people go to ride the cable car; in Oakland, people could come to ride the gondola," Kaval said. "It could become that popular, from a tourist perspective."