Ministerial Statement: Public transport the way to go for footy and fireworks

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
02/09/2010

Public transport the way to go for footy and fireworks

A feast of footy, fireworks and fun this weekend is expected to set a record for public transport patronage this year with up to half a million passengers to travel to special events.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said services had been boosted to cover the rugby league home games on Friday night and Riverfire on Saturday night.

"Tens of thousands of people will be heading to the footy and Riverfire so we have added extra public transport capacity to move the larger than normal crowds," Ms Nolan said.

"60 extra trains and 190 extra buses are ready to roll for Riverfire and extra services are also planned for crucial home clashes for both the Broncos and the Titans on Friday night.

"Public transport will be the best way to get to and from the city for Riverfire - it will avoid the hassle of driving as parking will be limited and many roads around the CBD will be closed throughout the afternoon."

Extra buses will start at 1pm on more than 20 routes across the city and extra trains will run on all lines in time for the start of the fireworks at 7pm.

CityCat and CityFerry between Mowbray Park and North Quay will stop running at 6.45pm for Riverfire on Saturday night - services will resume at 7.45pm and CityFerries at 8.15pm.

Ms Nolan said CityCat services are always very popular for Riverfire so passengers should plan ahead and travel early.

"I encourage people to be patient and be courteous to other passengers on this busy night for public transport," she said.

"People heading to the Powderfinger concert at The Riverstage which is also on Saturday night should keep in mind the Goodwill Bridge will be closed and CityCats near the city will stop for an hour for Riverfire."

Ms Nolan said extra services were also planned for the Broncos vs Raiders clash at Suncorp Stadium and the Titans vs Tigers game at Skilled Park in Robina, both on Friday night.

"These are crucial games for our local teams and big crowds are expected so I encourage fans to take advantage of the extra buses and trains," she said.

Shuttle buses will be running to Suncorp Stadium at regular intervals between 5.30pm to 7.30pm before the game from the following locations:

·Adelaide Street (stop 45) and Makerston Street (Roma Street) every five minutes

·Eight Mile Plains busway station every 10 minute

· Carindale interchange (stop H) and Chermside interchange (zone D) every 15 minutes

·Waterworks Road, The Gap every 30 minutes.

Shuttle buses to Skilled Park will run on demand from Firth Park (Mudgeeraba) park 'n' ride, Alabaster Drive (Carrara) park 'n' ride, Burleigh Heads Primary School and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre between 4.50pm and 7.10pm.

Return shuttle buses will operate for one hour after both games.

Extra trains to Suncorp Stadium will run on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines with extra trains for the ride home on the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Cleveland, Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe, Caboolture and Ipswich lines, as well as the Gold Coast line for Titans fans.

Broncos fans with tickets to Friday night's games can travel free to Suncorp Stadium from midday until the last scheduled services of the day on trains and Brisbane Transport buses.

Titans fans could also travel free from 3.30pm Friday to 1.15am Saturday on trains and Surfside buses to Skilled Park.

For more information, visit www.translink.com.au or phone the Call Centre on 13 12 30.

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[Derwan]

It's good to see that there are no scheduled closures this weekend.

[ozbob]

Indeed,  2007 --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=193.msg580#msg580