Mark McGowan's Government scrapped plans to lock 10,000 fans out of tonight's Big Bash League semi-final in Perth, but the WA Premier is sufficiently worried about possible transport system chaos that he wants spectators to consider a left-field solution.
Leave early.
"I would just ask everyone to be understanding that the transport system will have difficulty coping, in particular leaving the stadium," Mr McGowan said.
"If you can leave early or delay your departure, that would be a good thing.
"If we can make sure that our train network can cope by people being a bit more understanding and perhaps going a little bit earlier or a little bit later, that would be great."
The much-anticipated semi-final will see the home-town Perth Scorchers take on the Hobart Hurricanes. The Scorchers go into the match as favourites, with the winner earning a place in the BBL final on Sunday.
Mr McGowan predicted there would be some transport difficulties for the match, which is just the second sporting event at the $1.6 billion new Perth Stadium.
Peak-hour challenge
Authorities are concerned the early start-time of 4:40pm means cricket fans will clash with the usual weekday commuter traffic, putting the public transport system under enormous pressure.
Those concerns are magnified by the fact the footbridge linking the stadium to East Perth is incomplete.
"There might be a bit of discomfort and people need to be ready for that," Mr McGowan said.
"If you can get there early that would be great, if you could leave early or maybe delay your departure … that would be great."
A near-capacity crowd of about 55,000 fans are expected to turn out for this evening's game.
Authorities have also been encouraging people to arrive early, with the Scorchers' Women's Big Bash League semi-final against the Sydney Thunder in the afternoon serving as an incentive.
Transperth has warned it could take up to two hours to clear all spectators from the venue after the game.
The Government had considered capping the crowd at 45,000 to minimise public transport disruption, but later abandoned that idea after a public backlash.
