SAN FRANCISCO A Northern California wine country tour-and-charter bus operator will be providing game-day shuttle service for San Francisco 49ers NFL home games this fall.

"This is a direct result of the work the industry did to lobby against public transit authorities doing charter work," said Mimi Gatens, director of marketing for California Wine Tours and Evans Transportation.

For the past 30 years, Golden Gate Transit of San Rafael, Calif., has coordinated shuttle bus service from San Franciscos North Bay region to 49ers games.

With the adoption of a revised federal charter bus rule in April 2008, that prohibits public transit agencies from providing charter shuttles, Golden Gate Transit was required to relinquish the service.

"The staff at Golden Gate Transit has been very helpful in getting out the word that California Wine Tours is now the source for the North Bay fan shuttles," said Mike Marino, who founded California Wine Tours more than 20 years ago.

"It is impressive to see the team work that is taking place all over the Bay Area as we work together to transition these shuttles away from public transit authorities to the private sector," said Marino.

California Wine Tours lays claim to having the largest passenger transportation fleet in Northern California, with sedans, SUVs, limousines, luxury limo vans, midsize buses and motorcoaches.

It also operates Evans Airport Shuttles between Oakland and San Francisco airports and Vallejo and Napa, Calif., where it is based.

The California Wine Tours 49er Fan Express shuttles will run from seven North Bay cities to Candlestick Park.

"Not only are riders going to reduce their carbon footprint by riding the shuttles, we are also going to make the bus rides fun," said Marino, who is president and CEO of California Wine Tours.

49ers fans using the shuttle will pay between $25 and $30 roundtrip. The price includes complimentary water and free high-speed internet access. The company plans to use restroom-equipped motorcoaches.

California Wine Tours and the 49ers are sponsoring raffles on each coach, consisting of 49ers memorabilia and gift certificates for limousine rides.

There will be one grand prize raffle of a luxury experience for the final home game: A private limo ride for four guests, four tickets to the game, and gourmet tailgate party, including lunch and beverages.

Playing on the Fan Express video systems will be 49ers game highlights, Super Bowl replays and other NFL promo videos.

"We wanted to thank the fans that ride the shuttles by elevating their experience," said Marino.