Transportation network company Uber will not be permitted to offer pick-up or drop-off zones for fans attending Optus Stadium, the new state-of-the-art stadium which is set to open in Perth, Australia.
As Australian broadcaster ABC reports, the Western Australia state government has ruled that no such zones will be allowed for private vehicles and ride-share services at the 60,000-seat stadium, which officially opens this month.
Registered taxis will, however, be able to access a rank in the stadium precinct.
The government is keen for people to use public transport to travel to and from the venue, which will host cricket, rugby and Aussie rules matches, as well as music concerts and other events. Shuttle buses are expected to be a popular means of transport, with trains also set to run to nearby stations.
Public transport expert Peter Newman told ABC: “People have just got to get into their head this is not a place to go to by car.
“It used to be a lot easier to get to Subi (Subiaco Oval) by car. Public transport got more and more priority, it got built into the tickets and in the end, far more people were getting there by public transport than by private. This is a step further.”
Despite the ruling, Uber remains keen on striking an arrangement with stadium operator VenuesLive. “We’re ready to work with VenuesLive so that they can provide their customers with all available transportation options,” spokesman Matt Wing told ABC.
Optus Stadium will hold a public open day on January 21.
Image: Optus Stadium
