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Extra buses made free to cheer on Brisbane sporting weekend

With two big games on in Brisbane tomorrow night, the Queensland government has prepared its bus network for the commuter chaos with a surprise ticketing twist

The Queensland government has announced today that public transport services will be made free to and from two major sporting matches being played in Brisbane this weekend for ticket holders.

The Gabba will play host to an AFL Preliminary Final tomorrow night between Brisbane and Carlton, with the winner progressing to next week’s Grand Final.

Over at Suncorp Stadium on the same night, the Brisbane Broncos host the New Zealand Warriors for a shot at the NRL Grand Final.

This morning, the Queensland government says it will make public transport free for ticket holders to either game, with extra bus services slated to help get fans to and from the matches.

“Saturday is a massive day for Brisbane, with both the Lions and Broncos playing for a spot in the Grand Final,” Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey says.

“Both games have sold out, and I’m sure the sea of maroon and gold will give the teams the push they need on the weekend. There will be around 40,000 fans heading to the Gabba and around 50,000 fans going to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday – and catching public transport means you can get dropped right on the doorstep of either stadium.

“Public transport is the best way to get to and from the matches on the weekend, and better yet, it’s free for ticket holders.

“We’ll be running additional bus services before and after both of the games, to make sure no one misses a second of the action.”

The initiative is mainly for the bus network, as Brisbane City Council ferries and Airtrains are excluded from the free service deal.

Additional shuttle services will also be running before and after both matches, with buses taking fans right to the Woolloongabba busway on the Gabba’s doorstep, while buses and trains will help get fans to Suncorp Stadium.

“We’re making it as easy as possible to get to our key stadiums, both in the short-term with easy and free public transport, and in the long-term with major public transport projects like Cross River Rail,” Bailey says.

“Best of luck to the Brisbane teams playing on the weekend – I’m looking forward to watching both play for a premiership next weekend.”

Translink director of event scheduling and busway operations Roman Gafa says it’s not every you get two preliminary finals in Brisbane.

“Public transport remains the best way to get to and from major events such as this as it will provide convenient access to and from the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium,” Gafa says.

“There will also be free travel for ticketholders on Brisbane City Council buses and Queensland Rail trains, excluding long-distance and Airtrain services.

“It’s going to be a big evening of football, so we will have extra buses and trains available before and after the games.

“We encourage fans to plan their journey in advance and please have some patience as we work to move crowds quickly and safely.”

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