Extra train, bus and ferry services will be in effect this weekend to help get more than 30,000 fans to Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium for the Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
Newcastle will host the A-League Grand Final for the first time after defeating Melbourne City 2-1 in the Semi-Final last weekend.
Sydney FC’s shock loss to Melbourne Victory meant the Jets earned the right to host the decider after finishing second during the regular season.
And with the match officially declared a sell-out on Monday, it will be first time a capacity crowd has watched an A-League match at the venue.
To cater for the high-volume of supporters, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC confirmed extra services would be deployed across the region.
“The A League Grand Final is a major event for Newcastle. The NSW Government is providing additional services to get to and from the stadium and helping to ensure the match is safe and enjoyable,” Mr MacDonald said.
“Gates open at 6pm and kick off is at 7.50pm so it makes sense to get to the stadium and avoid the rush.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC has today announced additional transport for the @ALeague Grand Final: https://t.co/gobch8rqhz pic.twitter.com/d4fKsm1MHT
— McDonald Jones Stadium (@MJStadium) May 1, 2018
Extra trains will run to Broadmeadow from Telarah on the Hunter Line and from Gosford on the Central Coast and Newcastle Lines from the early afternoon.
For fans coming from Sydney, train services will depart Central as normal.
Fans will be greeted at Broadmeadow by a Newcastle Jets flag flying above the station.
Three extra bus services will run from Swansea and Queens Wharf (via Mayfield) while an extra two will run from Glendale.
Once the final whistle has blown there will be five special trains on standby at Broadmeadow to get fans home from the game and buses ready to depart.
“We’ll be running park and ride services so fans can leave their cars at Customs House in Newcastle, Bunn Street in Wallsend and Westfield Kotara before catching a bus to the stadium every 10 minutes until kick-off and from the end of the game until late,” Mr MacDonald said.
Port Stephens Coaches will also operate buses to and from Newcastle Airport to cater for fans who will be travelling from every state in Australia. Additional shuttle buses will be operating between the airport and Newcastle Interchange at Wickham to support large crowds travelling from interstate over the weekend.
Buses will meet incoming flights at Newcastle Airport on Saturday and arrive at Newcastle Interchange at Wickham about 35 minutes after leaving the airport.
On Sunday, buses will depart the interchange to connect with flights.
Ferry services have also been extended with the last ferry service to leave Newcastle at 1am on Sunday.
“With additional bus and ferry services and at least an extra 12 train services planned we are confident people will be able to get to the game and enjoy a memorable experience,” Mr MacDonald said.
.@NewcastleJetsFC fans getting up close to their favourite players for autographs, at the club's open training session. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/iaBGJc4Xdp
— Grant McIntyre (@macca668) May 2, 2018
