Matchday Travel Own Goal?

TPS Board, London, 24th September 2008

Neil Taylor

Integrated Transport Planning

What is Matchday Travel?

Matchday Travel:Trips by supporters and spectators to travel to live football matches.

Matchday Travel Planning:

The process of catering for the needs of football supporters and spectators travelling to matches, focusing on the use of sustainable travel modes.

Matchday Travel Plan:

A document which sets out a strategy for promoting sustainable alternatives to driving for supporters and spectators attending live football matches.

The Matchday Travel Challenge

Like other trips, matchday travel modes have changed:

LS Lowry ‘Going to the Match’ (1953)

Queue at 7pm to get into Watford for 7.45 pm evening kick off (2006)

For Transport Operators:

Resources, off-peak travel demand, mass transit, business case…

“The costs of operating these additional resources, plus the additional staff costs are not inconsiderable and the revenue accrued from these events does not always cover these additional costs”

South West Trains Submission, London Assembly Transport Committee (2007)

“More buses to take us away from the City Ground in more convenient locations. Getting across Trent Bridge and on a bus is too busy and crowded. Perhaps buses from various locations around the ground would be better.”

Nottingham Forest Supporter, 2007

For Transport Planners:

demand for watching live football

Older stadia not designed for car access

No remit to influence matchday travel

catchments

The Matchday Travel Challenge

For Land-use Planners:

We’ve never planned for a stadium… where do we put it?

Travel Needs of Football Supporters Influencing factors:

Home or Away?

Time of Kick-Off?

Matchday transport options

Parking availability

Matchday travel information

Individual’s views on transport in general

“I think the atmosphere on match-day, walking over Trent Bridge to the City Ground is second to none”

Nottingham Forest Supporter, 2007

“Using public transport allows me to have a pint before the game”

Nottingham Forest Supporter, 2007

Managing Matchday Travel

Pre-Journey Getting to the Ground Getting Home Connected PT services 2-3 hours around a match

Concentrate PT arrivals 15-60 mins before Kick Off

Wayfaring and signage in the vicinity of the stadium

Remote car parking to prevent localised congestion

Post-match prioritisation: Walk, Cycle, PT, Coach, Car Share

Local Traffic Management & CPZ’s

“For residents it is like being under siege when Spurs play at home”

Source: London Assembly Transport Committee (2007)

Why Support Matchday Travel?

Meet Supporters Travel Needs

Promoting Smarter Choices

Enhancing Local Transport Networks

Commercial & Economic opportunities Clubs Operators Sponsors Local Authorities Local Communities

Potential of Matchday Travel Planning

Public Transport

Car Sharing

Walking and Cycling

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, opened in 2006 was designed to include secure cycle parking for 100 bikes….

The Amsterdam Arena, opened in 1996, has 3,000 bicycle parking spaces.

Potential of Matchday Travel Planning

Matchday Traffic Management

Information, Marketing & Promotion

Conclusions

Opportunities:

Evidence base & business case

Land use and transport planning guidance

Local partnerships at existing stadia

General safety certificate for stadia

Clear role for transport practitioners to be involved… London 2012 coming into focus

Can we get it right every week?

Thanks for your attention

Neil TaylorIntegrated Transport Planning Ltd.T: 0115 988 6903E: taylor@itpworld.netW: www.itpworld.net

Any Comments or Questions?