Article: Footy fans to cause traffic chaos

[ozbob]

Let's hope no normal timetabled rail or bus services are cancelled, as happened a number of times last football season!

From Courier Mail click here!

Footy fans to cause traffic chaos

Footy fans to cause traffic chaos
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Alex Dickinson

March 27, 2008 11:00pm

A RECORD number of buses and trains will be used tonight in an attempt to prevent the traffic chaos expected from sell-out crowds at Brisbane's football double-header.

But police say they are prepared for the crowds of about 90,000 dicing with the usual Friday peak-hour crush as they head for matches starting at 7.30pm on either side of the Brisbane River.

The Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys clash at Suncorp Stadium while the Lions and Collingwood meet at the Gabba, on the other side of the CBD.

The scheduling has left Translink with a unique logistical challenge.

"I don't think there's been anything quite like this," a Translink spokesman said.

"There will be unprecedented levels of services to ensure people get to and from the game as quickly as possible. We're expecting about 90,000 people all up."

Extra buses and trains will operate from 5.30pm to both stadiums.

Commuters not going to the games would be wise to avoid, if possible, driving through the city at peak hour tonight.

Despite the drastic transport measures, police numbers will not exceed that allocated for regular game nights.

Insp Peter Aitkin, in charge of police operations at Suncorp Stadium, said his officers were prepared for the human crush.

"We've had games at the Gabba and Suncorp during the Riverfire and if we can deal with that then we can deal with anything," he said.

"But we advise people to stay clear of the area if they're not going to the footy. Footy fans need to remember two things on Friday night ? use public transport and go the Broncos."

Public transport to both games will be free with a game ticket.