The dispersion properties of rod-type chirped photonic crystals (PhCs) and non-channeled transmission in the direction of the variation of structural parameters from one cell of such a PhC to another are studied. Two types of configurations that enable multiple slow waves but differ in the utilized chirping scheme are compared. It is demonstrated that the multiple, nearly flat bands with a group index of refraction exceeding 180 can be obtained. For these bands, transmission is characterized by multiple narrow peaks of perfect transmission, strong field enhancement inside the slab, and large values of the Q-factor. Among the bands, there are some that show negative phase velocity. Symmetry with respect to the slab mid-plane must be kept in order to obtain constructive interferences that are necessary for reflection-free transmission. It is shown that 15 and more slow wave bands can be obtained in one configuration. The corresponding transmission peaks are well separated from each other, being the only significant feature of the transmission spectrum, while the Q-factor can exceed 10(5). The observed features are preserved in a wide range of the incidence angle variation. They can be used for tuning the locations and spectral widths of the transmission peaks. Some comparisons with the chirped multilayer structures have been carried out. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America