If you are one of the 55-thousand people expected to attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Nobbys Beach on Wednesday, you may want to consider public transport.
Authorities are urging people to consider the free park-and-ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium to Queens Wharf departing every five to 10 minutes return from 3:30am to 12:30pm.
President of the Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch Ken Fayle said the service will commence at 5am.
"The Lord Mayor will be lighting the ANZAC flame for 2018 at 5am and then we will proceed to our traditional service which will run through to about 6am," Mr Fayle said.
Newcastle City Police District is working closely with Council and the local Anzac Day Committee to ensure a safe, smoothly run event following the recent loss of 500 car spaces along the Harbour and in the David Jones car park.
Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson is encouraging members of the public to think about their journey in advance for the dawn service and day-time commemorations.
"Historically up to 50,000 people have attended the early morning commemoration, which leads to significant traffic congestion.
"We anticipate that the loss of Hunter Street as a traffic corridor will further impact congestion and travel times and therefore recommend that people consider using the public transport and Park and Ride options that have been planned to ensure the minimum of delay to their travel," Chief Inspector Lawson said.
The traditional Anzac Day March from the mall to Civic Park will travel along King Street and not Hunter Street, where light rail is currently being built.
Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop said Newcastle Transport would provide a number of public transport options across Anzac Day including free travel for veterans and their families.
Additional dawn service bus routes from 3:15am to 4am and 6:10am to 6:35am will also be running on the following routes:
Route 13 will depart from Glendale at 3:30am, 3:40am, 3:45am and 3:50am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.
Route 11 will depart from Jesmond at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am, 6:35am.
Route 23 will depart from Wallsend at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am and 4am with departures from Queens Wharf 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am, 6:35am.
A special ANZAC event route 14S service will also be operating via Belmont, Jewells, Charlestown then Adamstown to Queens Wharf.
Route 14S will be departing from Swansea at 3:20am, 3:30am, 3:40am and 6:25am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she commends Keolis Downer for putting on extra services to ensure the event runs smoothly.
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| 2017 Nobbys Dawn Service March. Photo: Newcastle Council. |
