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4mo ago

Coachella Organizers Address Traffic Failures with New Measures for Weekend 2

Goldenvoice apologizes for last week's gridlock, citing early arrivals and staffing gaps, and outlines steps to improve traffic flow ahead of upcoming events.

Hundreds of cars wait in a series of lines to get through a security screening area before arriving at the car camping grounds at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., Thursday, April 10, 2025.
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FILE: The car camping lot on Day 3 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 17, 2016, in Indio, Calif.
The Coachella Festival's organisers issued an apology for severe traffic issues that affected campers. REUTERS/Daniel Cole

Overview

  • Goldenvoice issued a public apology at the La Quinta City Council meeting for the severe traffic delays during Coachella Weekend 1, which left campers stranded for up to 12 hours.
  • The surge in early arrivals, driven by a Thursday campground DJ set, overwhelmed the usual traffic flow, with 6,300 campers parked by 4:30 p.m., far earlier than in previous years.
  • Staffing shortages at six of the 32 tolling stations exacerbated the delays, but organizers have now implemented a backup staffing plan to address such gaps.
  • To prevent a repeat of the gridlock, 12 additional tollbooths have been added, and organizers are coordinating with local law enforcement to expedite vehicle processing.
  • Local officials criticized the impact on residents, including reports of human waste on streets, while Goldenvoice pledged to review and adjust the new measures for both Weekend 2 and the Stagecoach festival if needed.