- Banned
- #1
While we are talking about transport this was in today's hearld sun! And it about time they thougth of this.
Transport deal for AFL games
By Genevieve Lally
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
FOOTBALL club members could be offered discounted train, tram and bus tickets to matches at the MCG, Colonial Stadium and Optus Oval next season.
Private transport operators want to stitch up the deal with all clubs before the start of the season on March 30.
A package of tickets at a discount rate would be available to all members of participating clubs.
And collectable Metcards featuring high-profile players -- similar to the popular Scanlan chewing gum cards of the 1980s -- could be sold in a bid to entice more supporters to use public transport.
The operators -- Yarra Trams, Swanston Trams, Bayside Trains, Connex Trains, V-Line and bus companies -- are negotiating with the AFL for a license to print players' images on the new tickets.
The new tickets are part of a broader aim to offer free travel to all matches from 2002.
The operators want corporate sponsors to subsidise transport to matches.
''The ultimate goal would be to have a single ticket for public transport and the football, but at the moment the various ticketing systems are not compatible,'' said Connex spokeswoman Felicia Mariani.
''We are working to find the most viable alternative. In the future, if there are changes to the ticketing systems either at the venues or on public transport, we might be able to facilitate that.''
Yarra Trams marketing manager Paul Matthews said patronage rose 36 per cent this year when trams to the Australian Open were free.
He said the Australian Open incentive would be offered again this January.
''The tennis deal paves the way for this type of system to be adopted for the football,'' he said. ''We haven't spoken to any sponsors yet, because the football scheme isn't intended to start until 2002.''
The Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Carlton and Hawthorn tested a similar system this year.
Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said the success of Melbourne's major events, including AFL matches, hinged on public transport.
''You only have to look at the Grand Prix, the Australian Open and footy matches to see if public transport wasn't available, you couldn't get people to these events,'' he said.
Yarra Trams has also struck a deal with Melbourne Park to offer free tram travel as part of the ticket price to concerts and events at the venue.
The new arrangement -- which could see the cost of concert tickets rise by 30 or 40 cents -- will begin operating next year.
Transport deal for AFL games
By Genevieve Lally
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
FOOTBALL club members could be offered discounted train, tram and bus tickets to matches at the MCG, Colonial Stadium and Optus Oval next season.
Private transport operators want to stitch up the deal with all clubs before the start of the season on March 30.
A package of tickets at a discount rate would be available to all members of participating clubs.
And collectable Metcards featuring high-profile players -- similar to the popular Scanlan chewing gum cards of the 1980s -- could be sold in a bid to entice more supporters to use public transport.
The operators -- Yarra Trams, Swanston Trams, Bayside Trains, Connex Trains, V-Line and bus companies -- are negotiating with the AFL for a license to print players' images on the new tickets.
The new tickets are part of a broader aim to offer free travel to all matches from 2002.
The operators want corporate sponsors to subsidise transport to matches.
''The ultimate goal would be to have a single ticket for public transport and the football, but at the moment the various ticketing systems are not compatible,'' said Connex spokeswoman Felicia Mariani.
''We are working to find the most viable alternative. In the future, if there are changes to the ticketing systems either at the venues or on public transport, we might be able to facilitate that.''
Yarra Trams marketing manager Paul Matthews said patronage rose 36 per cent this year when trams to the Australian Open were free.
He said the Australian Open incentive would be offered again this January.
''The tennis deal paves the way for this type of system to be adopted for the football,'' he said. ''We haven't spoken to any sponsors yet, because the football scheme isn't intended to start until 2002.''
The Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, Carlton and Hawthorn tested a similar system this year.
Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said the success of Melbourne's major events, including AFL matches, hinged on public transport.
''You only have to look at the Grand Prix, the Australian Open and footy matches to see if public transport wasn't available, you couldn't get people to these events,'' he said.
Yarra Trams has also struck a deal with Melbourne Park to offer free tram travel as part of the ticket price to concerts and events at the venue.
The new arrangement -- which could see the cost of concert tickets rise by 30 or 40 cents -- will begin operating next year.