AFL grand final 2021: Record number of buses heading to Optus Stadium, Perth hotels booked out
![Those heading to Perth’s first-ever grand final this Saturday will be able to jump on free public transport, with the AFL spectacle expected to generate $10 million for the local economy.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B882011170Z/1632121681134_GS03FQSTG.1-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Those heading to Perth’s first-ever grand final this Saturday will be able to jump on free additional public transport, with the AFL spectacle expected to generate $10 million for the local economy.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said there would be a record number of buses used for the historic clash against Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium.
She said the entire bus network would hit the road and encouraged people to take advantage of the added services.
![Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B882011170Z/1632121681134_GUC3FQTUS.1-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
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READ NOWMrs Saffioti said 500 additional staff members would be working on extra services to get people to the game.
“We’re also going to be extending the time that special buses are operating, our first service will be departing Ellenbrook at about 1.25pm,” Mrs Saffioti said.
The services will begin four hours before the game and run for two hours after the season decider has finished.
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Those who were not lucky enough to get tickets to the game have been encouraged to support local pubs and small businesses.
Tourism Minister David Templeman said he was pleased to report Perth hotels were almost fully booked.
“We’ve got lots of people coming to Perth to experience not only the grand final, but the whole energy of this experience ... Yagan Square will be activated, there’s a magnificent Indigenous mural there,” Mr Templeman said.
Mr Templeman said hosting the grand final in Perth was expected to generate $10 million for the local economy.
Sports Minister Tony Buti said the grand final would be the most significant sporting event in WA’s history.
“We have to remember how lucky we are to be in a COVID-free situation,” Mr Buti said.
The Dockers fan said he would be throwing his support behind the Bulldogs on game day and believed the chances of Perth holding another grand final in the future were “very, very slim”.
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