The new Ospreys match-day bus service will be operating on Tuesday evening (Sep 9th), when Cardiff Blues visit the Liberty Stadium for the first competitive home fixture of the 2008/09 season (KO 7.35pm).
Operating in conjunction with transport company First Cymru, the new service is being trialled over the opening six games of the campaign on a 'use it or lose it' basis after launching in time for the Shane Williams Testimonial fixture against Leicester Tigers at the end of last month. Buses will once again run from all corners of the region, with pick up points available from key points along the main arterial routes within Ospreylia. Services depart from Port Talbot at 6.20, Gowerton at 6.25, Abercrave at 6.00, Oystermouth at 6.15 and Pencoed at 5.45, with each route picking up at a number of stops. The price of a return to the Liberty Stadium will cost between £3.15 and £5.00 per adult, depending on collection point, with a child ticket priced just £2.40. All services will depart from the Liberty Stadium post-match at 9.50pm. Tickets are available to purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis from the coach driver on the day (space limited to 49 seats). Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, said: "We have committed a considerable sum of cash to this trial scheme on the basis of feedback from our supporters, who highlighted getting to and from the stadium on a matchday as a potential headache, and we hope to see supporters taking advantage of the service over the coming months. The response to the service on its first day of operation was a positive one, and now, with a good crowd expected for the derby match against the Blues, hopefully the buses will be full of supporters from all corners of Ospreylia, taking advantage of a low-cost, convenient service that has been tailored to their needs. It is only a trial service so I would urge our supporters to ensure they take advantage of it over the next five games to ensure its long term viability for the rest of the season." Meanwhile, in addition to the Cardiff Blues match, tickets have now gone on sale for all home games, up to and including the Christmas derby match against Llanelli Scarlets, at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, via the Ticket Hotline on 08700 400 004 and online at the Ospreys website. Also now available to purchase are tickets for the crucial Heineken Cup opener against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Sunday October 12th. The Ospreys have received an initial allocation of 1,500 tickets in the Clubhouse Stand for a match that is expected to be a complete sell-out, priced between £20 and £30 for adults and from just £8 for children.