Transport system withstands first test

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Sydney: Sydney's transport system faced its greatest test of the Olympics so far on Friday with 400,000 people expected at the main Games site. Transport officials said some 162,000 people had already travelled to Olympic Park by 10.30 am on "Super Friday" for the morning programme of athletics, swimming and other sports.

"So far it seems to have gone smoothly, though people perhaps should have left a little more time," a spokesman for the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority (ORTA) said. "Sometimes it's a once in a lifetime experience. You don't want to be late for it."

Friday is the first day of the track and field programme at Olympic Park's 110,000-seat Stadium Australia, the jewel in the crown of the city's Games facilities. With swimming also drawing sell-out crowds, Friday's numbers are set to be more than double those of preceding days.

The crunch was expected to come in mid-afternoon, with spectators from morning sessions leaving as ticket holders for evening events make their way into the sprawling site. "This will be the first time we've ever had to fill and empty the Olympic Stadium twice in the same day," the ORTA spokesman said.

Access to Olympic Park is by public transport only, using a special rail link or buses. ORTA had urged the public on Thursday to consider leaving home before dawn to be sure of getting into their stadium seats on time.But the spokesman said many people had ignored the advice.

"We were hoping every train from six o'clock would be full, but they weren't until over an hour after that. We're still urging people to leave plenty of time for their journeys."



(c) Reuters Limited.