The AFL will increase its free shuttle bus services for matches at Carrara this season, encouraging patrons to take the hassle-free transport option.
On each AFL match day, starting with Saturday night’s NAB Cup clash between the Brisbane Lions and Essendon, shuttle bus will depart regularly for two hours before the game from Surfers Paradise (Beach Road), Nerang Station, Pacific Fair (southern side), Robina Town Shopping Centre and Labrador Shops (Brisbane Road).
All services will pick up patrons at all TransLink stops on route to Carrara.
And all patrons have to do to travel free is show their AFL match ticket to the driver.
Also, under the same proviso, people from the southern end of the Gold Coast will be able to travel free from Palm Beach and Tweed Heads via Surfside buses 706 and 765 to Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre respectively, connecting the shuttle to Carrara.
Buses will leave Carrara 15 minutes after the game, returning to Surfers Paradise, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre, Labrador Shops via Harbour Town & Nerang Railway Station.
The last buses will leave Carrara one hour after the game.
All return services will set down at all TransLink stops.
AFL Queensland chief executive Richard Griffiths encouraged patrons to utilize the free shuttle service to avoid any possible hassles at Carrara.
“We’ve expanded the service again this year in the belief that it makes a night at the footy easier for the patrons if they don’t have to worry about parking,” Griffiths said.
“It’s especially important if it’s wet. At this stage the public car parks at Carrara will be open on Saturday night with limited capacity but if it rains heavily that can change at short notice. If you’re on the free shuttle it’s not an issue. And parking at Carrara is $10.”
Full details of the free shuttle bus services are:-
Surfers Paradise (Beach Road) to Carrara Stadium
Buses will depart every 15 minutes from Beach Road, Surfers Paradise, starting two hours before the scheduled start of the game.
Nerang Station to Carrara Stadium
Buses will operate every 10 minutes from Nerang Railway Station, starting two hours before the start of the game.
Pacific Fair to Carrara Stadium
Buses will operate every 30 minutes from Pacific Fair, leaving from the southern side bus rank, starting two hours before the start of the game.
Labrador Shops (Brisbane Road, West Bound) via Harbour Town and Southport Football Club to Carrara Stadium
Buses will depart the bus zone at Labrador Shops every 15 minutes, starting two hours before the start of the game, with pick-ups at Harbour Town and Southport Football Club.
Robina Town Centre to Carrara Stadium
Buses will depart the bus zone at Robina Town Shopping Centre every 30 minutes, starting two hours before the first bounce.
Palm Beach to Carrara Stadium (via Pacific Fair)
Patrons can catch the Surfside bus 706 from Palm Beach to Pacific Fair and connect with the shuttle to Carrara. Buses leave Palm Beach every half hour from 5.06am. Returning south after the game, the 706 leaves Pacific Fair for Tweed at 9.47pm, 10.47pm, 11.47pm and 12.47pm. Otherwise, patrons can walk from Pacific Fair across the highway to catch the Tweed 700, which will stop there half-hourly throughout the night, from 9.59pm, 10.29pm, 10.59pm, 11.29pm, 11.59pm etc.
Tweed Heads to Carrara Stadium (via Robina Town Centre)
Patrons can catch the Surfside bus 765 from Tweed Heads to Robina Town Centre and connect with the shuttle to Carrara. They leave Tweed Heads every half hour from 7.10am (Qld time). Returning south after the game, the 765 leaves Robina Town Centre at 9.48pm, 10.48pm or 11.48pm. Otherwise, patrons can catch the shuttle back to Pacific Fair and walk across the highway to catch the Tweed 700.
Return Services
Services to Surfers Paradise, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre, Labrador Shops via Harbour Town and Nerang Railway Station will leave Carrara 15 minutes after the game finishes. The last bus will depart Carrra one hour after the end of the game.