The Western Australian government has dropped plans for an attendance cap at next week’s Big Bash League cricket semi-final at the newly-opened Optus Stadium in Perth.
The government initially opted to cap attendance at the match at around 40,000 due to construction delays on the nearby Matagarup Footbridge (pictured below), saying that this would lead to an increased demand on public transport.
However, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, who had been behind the initial decision to cap attendance, has now come to an agreement with public transport services in the area that will allow the stadium to welcome up to 55,000 fans at the game.
Transperth, which runs public transport in Perth, will now have to reduce the capacity of trains on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines during the afternoon peak period on the day of the game.
In addition, according to ABC, the regular Armadale and Thornlie line trains will stop at the Perth Stadium Station to allow fans to travel to and from the match. Saffioti warned that there will likely be delays as a result of additional usage of services on the day.
“Of course there will still be delays, but we hope that everyone has patience on that day to make it work,” Saffioti said.
Perth Stadium has a capacity of 60,000 and can seat a maximum of 55,000 for cricket events.
Image: Optus Stadium
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