newy.com.au – The NSW government has announced extra trains for Knights fans heading to Sydney for Sunday’s preliminary final against Penrith, with Newcastle one win from its first NRL grand final appearance in 25 years.
Two additional services will leave Newcastle Interchange before the 4pm match at Accor Stadium on September 27, and two extra Newcastle bound trains scheduled after the game. Public transport travel is included in match tickets.
Sunday’s match is sudden death: victory secures a grand final place, while defeat ends the Knights’ season. Newcastle needs just two more wins to claim the premiership.
This is the club’s first preliminary final appearance since 2013, a win over Penrith required to break the club’s 25-year grand final drought.
The additional southbound trains will depart Newcastle Interchange at 12.01pm and 12.56pm, reaching Strathfield at 2.38pm and 3.16pm respectively. Supporters will need to change there for Sydney Olympic Park, direct trains running every 10 minutes before kick-off.
The later additional service is scheduled to reach Strathfield 44 minutes before the match starts, so fans should factor the connection and stadium entry into their travel plans.
After the game, eight trains an hour will leave Sydney Olympic Park between 6pm and 8pm, connecting supporters with Central and Strathfield for the journey home. The two additional Newcastle services will depart Central Station at 6.45pm and 7.17pm.
Knights group chief commercial officer Jodie Cross said ticketing figures attributed 65 per cent of the crowd to Newcastle supporters.
“The travelling support will provide an important boost for the team as they look to book their place in the NRL Grand Final,” she said.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said she had sought extra trains after Newcastle’s win in New Zealand. Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison urged supporters to check the updated timetable and plan ahead.
Timetable information is available through transportnsw.info.
