Record first day tennis patronage for Yarra Trams
Wednesday 16 January 2013
The first day of the 2013 Australian Open saw record crowds flock to Melbourne Park using Yarra Trams.
Almost 36,000 people used the Rod Laver Arena stop during Monday's day and night sessions, beating the record of 35,700 recorded on the first day of last year's tournament.
Total attendance for the day was just under 62,000 as big crowds came to enjoy the first day of the tournament and watch Lleyton Hewitt's match during the night session.
Not only have Hewitt's matches provided many of the record Australian Open crowds over the last decade, but he's also responsible for the latest ever finish to tram shuttle services. With trams running until an hour after the conclusion of play each night/morning the last shuttle tram on Sunday 20 January 2008 left for the city at 5.33am after his five-set match against Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis finished at 4.33am.
Free shuttle trams for Australian Open ticketholders will run throughout the tournament. In addition to the extra trams all regular Route 70 services between Wattle Park and Waterfront City Docklands (via Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena) are free to ticketholders and anybody with an Australian Open accreditation pass - including staff, media and players.
Trams for the night session will operate back to the city for one hour after the conclusion of play - even if we have another 4.30am finish.
An accessible low floor tram is operating regularly between Flinders & Swanston Street and the tennis.
In addition to our drivers on Route 70 and the Route 70a tennis shuttles, more than 40 Yarra Trams Customer Service Employees and Operations staff are working on the ground to keep tram services and people moving. If you have a question look for the orange hi-vis vests at stops along Flinders Street and at the tennis.
We've also introduced some 'special guests' at the Flinders and Swanston Street stop to get crowds into the tennis spirit, and both Hans and Klaus have already made appearences on ESPN, Channel 7 and Australian Open radio.
If you have any feedback about Australian Open tram services you can call PTV on 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight daily) or contact us through our Customer Feedback form.