Photo: Kelly Pilgrim-Byrnes
Camera IconPhoto: Kelly Pilgrim-Byrnes Credit: Supplied/Supplied

No cap on Scorchers BBL semi-final crowd, but transport measures in place

Aaron CorlettSouthern Gazette

THE State Government confirmed today there will be no cap when the Perth Scorchers play a home semi-final at Optus Stadium.

The government reached an agreement with with VenuesLive and the WACA to ensure 55,000 tickets will be sold to the game, which will take place at 4.40pm on February 1.

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

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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.

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.

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.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she needed 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,” she said.

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

Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray said for the plan to work they needed 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.

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