Trains Fail Dockers Fans

by Heather McNeill

March 31, 2008

CATCHING public transport from Subiaco Oval after the football became an event in itself for Dockers fans on Saturday, March 29.

Thousands of fans wishing to board Mandurah-bound trains after the Saturday night footy match waited for over an hour just to get onto the platform at West Leederville station, which on footy nights now links direct to the Mandurah line.

Transit officers were stretched to their limits, with disgruntled fans expressing their frustration at the lack of trains put on for post match transport. Pedro, who contributes to footy website Dockerland.com, wrote it was ridiculous to have thousands of people all trying to get to the West Leederville platform at the same time.

“I couldn’t believe the disaster that has been created by replacing the footy buses with the train,” Pedro typed.

Shane Seth, from Willetton, who’d been entangled in a similar squeeze after the Dockers’ first NAB game in February, agreed.

“Everyone was so squished up and barely moving,” Mr Seth said. “It was like we were a flock of sheep.”

Another passenger, identified on Dockerland.com as FFCFOREVER, said she was stranded in Perth until 11pm alongside her intellectually disabled daughter.

Yet another disgruntled Dockerland.com surfer, Mike, said Premier Alan Carpenter was on a delayed inbound service that arrived at Subiaco Oval after the match had already started. When asked about the incident, the Premier said he frequently caught public transport to the footy and enjoys the service. The Public Transport Authority failed to respond in time for deadline.