Final Four makes bag rule clear

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is joined by police and Final Four tournament organizers on Monday. Security and transportation preparations were months in planning for the April 2-4 Final Four. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is joined by police and Final Four tournament organizers on Monday. Security and transportation preparations were months in planning for the April 2-4 Final Four. Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Final Four makes bag rule clear 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Officials welcoming the NCAA Final Four to Houston want to make one thing clear: The bag you’re carrying into events related to the basketball tournament.

Monday morning, city and tournament host committee officials announced that only clear bags – available in many spots – will be allowed into events sanctioned by the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, including the games themselves at NRG Stadium and fan-centric events at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green.

Rachel Quan with Houston's NCAA tournament host committee, shows...

The rule applies to every type of bag someone would carry in, said Doug Hall, president of the committee hosting the Final Four in Houston.

“No backpacks or diaper bags,” Hall said.

Free bags with the Final Four logo will be available at numerous locations around the city, including hotels, information centers, Metro transit stops and the event locations.

“But people hopefully will take care of it before they get there,” Hall said.

People can also use a one-gallon Ziploc bag to hold belongings, or another clear bag of the same size or less, officials said.

The clear bag policy is identical to the rule the Final Four used in Indianapolis last year, and to the policy NFL teams such as the Houston Texans employ for games.

In addition to going clear, here are four other things to keep in mind going to and from Final Four activities, or even just traveling around Houston.

Traveling: Transit in many cases might be the best bet for downtown and stadium trips, said Andy Skabowski, Metropolitan Transit Authority chief operating officer and head of the host committee’s transportation plans. Metro will operate trains and buses from NRG to various destinations, and have additional staff directing people at rail stops. A tent used for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo remains in place, giving travelers a shaded spot with televisions to wait for trains. A $12 pass for four days is available, and valid for all transit use.

Time Out: Trips into downtown or near NRG Park will be affected by the constant stream of visitors. People should plan for longer trips, and even arrive early to avoid some hassles, officials said.

Full court press: Skabowski said taxis, Uber and other services are prepared for an increase in business. Last year in Indianapolis, Uber demand increased 75 percent on Saturday and Monday nights when the games were played, the company said. Demand is expected to be highest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, then to surge between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. when the doubleheader of games is finished.

Solid defense: A uniformed police presence will be noticeable at all events, said Houston interim police chief Martha Montalvo. Plainclothes officers will also be on duty, she said. ​“Obviously the goal is to make this a great event but also a safe event,” Montalvo said.