Federal transportation officials will allow the Metropolitan Transit Service to provide express-bus service to Qualcomm Stadium for at least two Chargers games in September and October, it was announced Thursday.

The Federal Transit Administration is giving the temporary waiver while it reviews a new rule that prevents tax-subsidized transit systems from encroaching on services that private companies want to offer.

Its waiver is valid for the Chargers' Sept. 7 game against the Carolina Panthers and the Oct. 12 matchup with the New England Patriots.

The agency's decision does not affect Saturday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

It also does not apply to the North County Transit District, which in previous years had run 25 to 30 special buses that carried up to 1,000 fans to the stadium from Oceanside and Escondido.

Metropolitan Transit carries 2,000 to 3,000 people on 48 buses from University City, Mira Mesa, La Mesa, Kearny Mesa and Chula Vista.

During a news conference Thursday afternoon at Qualcomm, Chargers officials thanked Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, for helping seek resumption of the express-bus service.

They also said no charter bus companies had agreed to fill the void for Saturday's game.

Filner said he is trying to make the Federal Transit Administration's exemption permanent.

“(Metropolitan's) shuttle services offer many advantages to the public, including reducing traffic congestion, lessening air pollution and providing transportation for the public at large,” Filner said.