Crows fans will be able to travel to AAMI Stadium on a free bus service from next season.

The State Government, the SANFL and the Adelaide and Port Adelaide announced the agreement today.

Crows chief executive Steven Trigg welcomed the arrangements and the role of the Footy Express bus in assisting with the reduction of “no shows” at Crows games.

“Nearly 4,000 of our supporters catch the bus to games each week and this arrangement means we will continue to fill the stadium which provides us with a competitive edge over rival clubs,” Trigg said.

SANFL general manager Leigh Whicker said the provision of free transport to AAMI Stadium further enhanced it as one of the AFL’s premier venues.

“This is great news for all involved and complements the refurbishment of the stadium and will make the entire AAMI Stadium experience a more enjoyable one,” Whicker said. “The AFL is supportive of the concept and there will be major benefits in the West Lakes precinct on match days with reduced road traffic and associated congestion.”

The agreement will see free bus travel to AAMI Stadium factored into AAMI Stadium and club season tickets ($2 extra per season), daily tickets (excluding children’s, $3 extra) and car parking ($1 extra) prices.

Trigg said the increase in prices will be absorbed by the clubs and the AFL.

“While ticket holders on the face of it will incur a $2 per season (or less than 20c per game) levy on their season ticket, in reality the increase will be absorbed by the clubs and the League, whose 2008 prices will effectively return $2 (per ticket) net, less to us,” he said.

“To those members who pay the $2 levy and don’t intend to use the service we say that the benefits of less traffic congestion coming into the stadium and even more so leaving the stadium will be $2 well spent. Also by taking well over 1,000 cars off the road the environmental impact will be lessened.”