Full capacity crowd approved for Scorchers home final

• Agreement reached to sell 55,000 seats to BBL semi-final
• Special transport arrangements will have some impact on peak commuters
• WACA and VenuesLive to entice 15,000 to 20,000 fans to arrive before 3pm  

The McGowan Government has reached an agreement with VenuesLive and the WACA to ensure 55,000 tickets will be sold to the Scorchers' home semi-final at Optus Stadium.

The agreement was reached on the condition that the Stadium Operator and the association put arrangements in place to entice 15,000 to 20,000 fans to arrive at the venue before 3pm. 

Some of these strategies include $10 food and beverage vouchers for the first 15,000 fans, on-field access and prize packs. There will also be a light show post game to encourage fans to stay longer, reducing pressure on the transport system.

Public transport arrangements have been tailored specifically on these provisions. 

The early arrival strategy is required due to the 4.40pm start time - to suit an east-coast television slot - meaning that the majority of the crowd will arrive at the stadium during afternoon peak hour on a weekday.

This, in conjunction with the absence of the Matagarup Bridge means Transperth will have to reduce the capacity of trains throughout afternoon peak on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines. Some trains that would normally run as six-car trains will be reduced to three-car sets. Some changes to timetabling will also occur. 

In addition, normal Armadale and Thornlie Line trains will stop at Perth Stadium Station, so those lines will be much busier than usual. As a result of trains stopping more often, their services may not run to timetable because Perth Stadium Station is not currently a regular station.

A central business district shuttle bus will operate between Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and the stadium from about 11am.

Passengers need to use existing timetabled bus and train services to get to the city and then use the train or bus shuttle to get to the stadium.

Because this is a weekday event, the special event bus services designed for the stadium will only be available after the event to get people home.

To cater for the extra passengers, Transperth will use about 60 buses held back from retirement recently. 

As with the Ed Sheeran concert, it will take longer to clear the crowd than if the pedestrian bridge was complete so fans will need to be patient and allow additional time to get home.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"As Minister I need to balance the needs of both regular commuters, who are Transperth's core customers, and Scorchers fans.

"We have worked with the WACA to develop a co-ordinated strategy which will see the WACA encourage early attendance, while we will adjust services across the public transport network to create capacity.

"This will impact normal commuter services but we have tried to keep these impacts at a manageable level.  

"As with the Ed Sheeran concert, fans need to allow plenty of extra time to get there - and where possible, get in before 3pm.

"Getting home will also take longer as some trains will be at outer stations as they finish getting people home from work."

Comments attributed to Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:

"For this to work we need about one-third of the crowd to arrive early and enjoy the women's BBL game, and the other things going on at the venue prior to the start of the semi-final.

"The WACA and VenuesLive have come up with a plan that involves a range of incentives including $10 food vouchers for the first 15,000 fans, prize packs and a range of on-field experiences.

"Liquor licensing allows a number of the bars at the venue to stay open for one hour after the game ends, so that will also assist in spreading the crowd on the way home."

Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500

Sport and Recreation Minister's office - 6552 6400

TRANSPORT MEASURES

Trains:

• Armadale/Thornlie trains to stop at Perth Stadium Station - as a result trains will not run to regular scheduled timetables.
• Some Joondalup and Mandurah line services will have reduced capacity.  In particular, the Cockburn to Whitfords six-car sets will be reduced to three-car sets to allow for the trains required for the city shuttle between the city and the stadium. This will reduce capacity by 50 per cent.
• Some trains will still be in use in the suburbs at the end of the game which will increase the time required to clear the stadium. Waiting times may be up to two hours. 

Buses:

• Regular commuter bus services to continue operating at peak hour.
• Transperth to run about 50 buses from Elizabeth Quay Bus Station to the stadium via St Georges Terrace.
• Planning to run the full outbound bus services after the game (special event services). 

*Further information on services will be made available from Thursday.