A new park and ride plan is expected to take up to 350 vehicles out of the Newcastle CBD each weekday.
From Monday, people can park at McDonald Jones Stadium and catch a free bus into the city every 15 minutes between 6.30 and 8.30 on weekday mornings, with a return service between 4.30 and 6pm.
Morning buses will stop at four locations and the afternoon return service will pick up commuters from Customs House, the corner of Perkins and King Streets, Civic and Marketown every 15 minutes.
It's expected to save workers $1400 a year in parking fees.
The free trial continues until January 29 when a $2 fee applies to park at the Stadium.
It's hoped the service will free up car parks for CBD shoppers and ease congestion while the light rail is built.
Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel, said it's a great initiative. "It reduces the cost to the commuter, and I think businesses will appreciate just how many car spaces are freed-up throughout the day.
"Commuters will be able to easily get into the city and enjoy the activities that we're putting on as part of Revitalising Newcastle."
The trial will also help gauge support for Council's push to extend the light rail line to Broadmeadow.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for people to vote with their cars by jumping on to this park and ride bus morning and afternoon," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
"This will be a huge benefit for us pushing our case for the expansion of the light rail network
out to this stadium precinct."
There will be alternative park and ride locations when the Newcastle Jets and Newcastle Knights have weekday evening matches at the stadium, but those locations have not yet been determined.
"So at the moment there's a lot of land around this precinct at Broadmeadow," Ms Nelmes said, "We're working with Venues NSW for those couple of times in the next 12 months where there are Knights or Jets games on a Friday to look for an alternative site; that's a work in progress."
She believes the service will operate smoothly.
"A lot of work has gone into ensuring the operations of this service will be as simple as possible, and as cheap as possible."
Commuters wanting to use the service must register for a free permit either online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride or by calling Newcastle Council on 4974 2000.
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| Proud: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel. Image: Lauren Freemantle. |
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| Park And Ride Service About To Start At McDonald Jones Stadium. |
