Transperth has urged soccer fans leaving the AC Milan and AS Roma match at Optus Stadium to “be patient” as crews work to resolve a technical issue that has delayed the railway network for more than four hours.
Chaos erupted on Perth’s railways on Friday afternoon when the Armadale, Midland, and Fremantle trains experienced severe delays due to a “technical issue” at Stadium Station, which was first reported around 5pm.
Half of the city’s train lines were unexpectedly struck around 45 minutes before the 7pm kick-off on Friday night — with some people reporting being stranded at Perth Station.
Transperth has since published multiple statements about the service delays affecting the Fremantle, Armadale and Midland lines.
It is understood the technical issue at Stadium Station caused trains across the three lines to travel slower than usual.
In a statement late on Friday, Transperth said crews were continuing to solve the issue at Stadium Station.
“While trains are running, they are delayed, so passengers need to be patient,” the spokeswoman said.
A spokesperson for the transport authority previously said replacement buses had been organised to transport people from Perth Station to Matagraup Bridge — before having to walk to the stadium for the start of the match.
“Replacement buses have been organised to help move people travelling to Optus Stadium from Perth Station to Matagarup Bridge,” they said.
Transperth issued multiple statements throughout the afternoon, with the first sign of a “technical delay” impacting just the Armadale line around 5pm.
“Please allow extra travelling time and be aware that delayed trains may not connect with timetabled bus and train services,” the first statement said.”
Two minutes later — a similar statement about Fremantle and Midland was released.
“Trains on the Fremantle and Midland Lines are currently delayed due to a technical issue,” it said.
“Trains will continue to run; however, they will not be running to the regular schedule.
It comes as more than 50,000 fans were expected to flock to Optus Stadium for the friendly between AC Milan and AS Roma on Friday night. This is being touted as another coup for WA following the successful WWE blockbuster in February.
Fans took to social media to express their dismay at the untimely delays.
“Ugly, ugly scenes at Perth Station. Thousands of people are choking the platforms and growing angrier by the second,” one person posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Another user posted a photo of a packed tunnel at the Perth underground station tunnel, just 25 minutes before the match started.
After the match, @athought4urs said, “You had 1 job @Transperth @RogerCookMLA. Don’t put on an event if you can’t get people home #wadreamstate #not.”