New moves to make a day at the footy cheaper fuel rumours Adelaide Oval set to host a raft of games
Big cuts to public transport and parking fees for the Adelaide Oval have kicked excitement for a rush of footy matches in the city into high gear.
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Growing confidence Adelaide Oval will host a flurry of AFL matches in coming months has led to free footy travel for public transport users and subsidised carparking.
Crows and Port supporters will get free Footy Express public transport paid for by the State Government in a move embraced by both clubs struggling with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Adelaide City Council has also confirmed it will slash carparking fees by 50 per cent, meaning some supporters could pay as little as $4 to attend the footy.
The two decisions have given weight to growing speculation that Adelaide Oval could host numerous matches, including double-headers and finals matches, over the next few months.
Transport Minster Stephan Knoll said the state government would pick up the cost of the Footy Express for the rest of 2020 after previously ruling out subsidising the popular service this year.
He said full bus, train and tram services will be provided – despite restricted crowd numbers of up to 25,000 people at Adelaide Oval – to increase capacity and assist with physical distancing efforts.
“We know that many people are doing it tough this year and that’s why we will be covering the cost of the Adelaide Oval Footy Express this season to ensure it’s free for footy fans,” he said.
Adelaide Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan praised the government’s commitment while hinting at more games.
“Our club genuinely appreciates the government’s goodwill during this current period of uncertainty … we look forward to playing in front of the Crows family on Monday week and hopefully several more times in the weeks ahead,” Fagan said.
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said it was is great outcome for members and supporters who would be looking forward to getting back and supporting the team at Adelaide Oval.
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Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor welcomed the Footy Express while outlining a new carparking platform aimed at making a day at the footy more cost effective.
“UPark Plus is an innovative new platform available online that provides safer, touch-free parking at a significantly discounted price across eight UPark locations,” Ms Verschoor said. “This fantastic online platform will provide a cheap, convenient and contactless parking experience for people coming to the footy.
“UPark Plus prices will be 50 per cent off for all matches meaning fans can park from as little as $4 without having to worry about touching any ticket machines or repeatedly pre-booking online.”
The state government announced in November 2018 it would no longer subsidise the Footy Express after the 2019 season and would instead seek to recover service costs from the Crows, Power and SMA.
