Ministerial Statement: Public transport to catch Twenty20 fans

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
13/01/2009

Public transport to catch Twenty20 fans

TransLink has urged cricket goers to avoid the hassles of peak hour and parking congestion by catching free public transport for tonight's Twenty20 International Series match at The Gabba between Australia and South Africa.

Transport Minister John Mickel said The Gabba has historically trailed other venues when it cames to public transport commuting with between 40 and 50 per cent of patrons using existing and additional public transport service to get to the venue.

"This compares with Suncorp Stadium which regularly topped 90 per cent public transport use for those attending Queensland Roar games, World Cup Rugby League matches and even an Andre Rieu concert," Mr Mickel said.

"Tennis fans also embraced public transport at last week's Brisbane International tournament at Tennyson with more than 80 per cent using their entrance ticket to travel to the venue for free while more than 85 per cent of Titan's fans catch public transport to the Gold Coast's Skilled Park.

"TransLink transports more than two million people to events across South-East Queensland each year and those in possession of a pre-purchased ticket for tonight's Twenty20 clash can travel to and from the game for free."

The free service is available on all regular Brisbane Transport bus services and QR services from noon until the last scheduled service of the day.

Fans attending tonight's game can make the 6.35pm start by taking advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities at the Woolloongabba busway station.

Additional bus services operate from Roma Street, Carindale, Eight Mile Plains and Chermside from 4.30pm.

Passengers travelling on the Shorncliffe, Doomben, Ipswich, Rosewood, Caboolture, Nambour and Ferny Grove lines should change at Roma Street station for the free city-to-Gabba bus service from stop 124 Roma Street station. Passengers travelling on the Robina (Gold Coast), Cleveland and Beenleigh lines should change at South Bank station for the free city-to-Gabba bus service passing through South Bank busway station (platform 2).

Additional buses will depart at the end of the game and three additional train services will depart South Bank station for Ferny Grove, Robina and Cleveland.

For full details visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30.




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[ButFli]

What is it with the patrons of the Gabba? They are not very keen on public transport! On game days the number of cars parked in residential streets (especially in East Brisbane) is astonishing. No concern is shown for the amenity of the residents with many driveways blocked by parked cars. To my knowledge it is not as bad around other venues in SEQld.

Some enterprising locals rent out their yards at $10 per car. :p

[ozbob]

No direct rail.  When we get an underground station at the 'Gabba, it will be higher for public transport than the Suncorp stadium.

Bring on the trains!