CBT: operators should be alert to football fan traffic

Train operators need to be more flexible when catering for the needs of football fans, according to Campaign for Better Transport.

CBT was responding to a Highways England warning that the Manchester United vs Crystal Palace FA Cup Final at Wembley on May 21 would lead to slower road journeys - it was expected that the M1, M6 and M40 motorways would be busy with fans travelling to the North London venue for the game, which kicked off at 1730.

Highways England said that fans would use their cars rather than rail because of the possibility of extratime and penalties, which would mean fans of Manchester United could not get home by rail. This echoes similar concerns in April, when Everton and Manchester United fans were affected by engineering work on the West Coast Main Line ( RAIL 799).

“The fact that Highways England is expecting traffic jams shows up the lack of public transport alternatives to stadiums on match days,” said Lianna Etkind, Public Transport Campaigner at CBT.

Door to Turnstile, a report by CBT in 2013, showed football fans were often put off from using rail by increasing rail fares, inflexible booking arrangements and engineering works. It found that around 40% of fans travelled by car to away games, but also that shared car travel was popular.

“We need to see train operators provide more flexible, additional services,” said Etkind.

“A new national football supporters’ railcard and late kickoff times planned around train timetables to ensure people can get home would also help.”