MAJOR LOW FOLLOWS CEREMONY HIGH
THE frustration of attendees caught in major transport delays to and from the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was understandable — I was one of them.
Like 5000 others, I hit Broadbeach South station with my ticket expecting a relatively painless, free bus ride out to Carrara’s stadium (Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey admitted yesterday they had planned for just 3000 turning up and were caught out).
The State Government, as many would later say, had “one job”. Surely they’d get it right.
But the scene on arrival just after 6pm was tense. I joined the back of a queue full of frustrated Games goers, some of whom said they had been waiting over an hour for a bus. Others were giving up and walking off to book Ubers and taxis.
This wasn’t good and it got worse before it got better. A tram load of ticketholders arrived and were immediately ushered onto a bus which rolled up, sparking boos from an exasperated mob running out of patience.
A mate texted to say he’d quit where I was after two hours and went via tram to Helensvale and train to Nerang. I was starting to make alternative plans myself when a woman beside me said the far opposite side was moving quicker.
I followed her and was on a bus within minutes, feeling guilty about those who’d just told me they had been there over an hour. Our bus left with three spare seats despite our cries to the driver and officials.
Minister Bailey has admitted they planned for fewer numbers turning up at the Broadbeach South depot but the communication from those marshalling people into buses was also dire.
The communication was better after the breathtaking opening ceremony – but the wait was far worse.
I walked out of the stadium on a high from the spectacle like 35,000 others about 10.35pm. But the high had gone by 1.15am when I was still there with the final