The owner of McDonald Jones Stadium has apologised to Knights fans who were left stranded after shuttle buses did not show up to ferry them home after the weekend's NRLW game.
Long-term Knights fan Cindy Carolan attended Newcastle's double-header home game on Sunday, August 11, where the women's match followed the men's clash.
Ms Carolan said after arriving to the ground by bus she was told that there would be a shuttle home after the final game, which ended about 7.30pm.
"I tried to find information about this before we even left home and couldn't find any information but when we got to the stadium there was a transport supervisor who told us there would be buses after the women's game," she said.
"So we stayed to support the women's team thinking we would be able to get home safely and in a timely manner."
Upon leaving the stadium, Ms Carolan said there were about 25 people on the western side of Turton Road which travels to Wallsend area and another 20 people on the eastern which travels to Belmont area.
Half an hour went by with no buses, so Ms Carolan rang the stadium to find out what was happening, only to be told no shuttle buses were coming.
"At no time was the crowd informed of this decision," she said.
A spokesperson for Venues NSW, the state government body that owns the stadium, said the shuttles operated on a "demand basis and due to incorrect information being circulated, the service ended earlier than planned".
"We sincerely apologise to patrons who were unable to access the shuttle service following Sunday's double-header," the spokesperson said.
"For the remaining double-headers, the shuttles will be in operation until the completion of all matches."
Ms Carolan caught an Uber home, but said she was concerned for elderly people left in the dark to find their own way home, and said the situation would make her reconsider staying to support the women's side after men's games.
"I think the shuttle service is great, don't get me wrong," she said. "I think it's been a wonderful asset.
"But if we were told there would be no buses, we wouldn't have stayed.
"I for one will not be staying to support the women's teams if they play after the men as we will not be sure if we are able to arrive home safely.
"Without the supporters, there would be no Newcastle Knights and McDonald Jones Stadium would not have received funding for upgrades to their facilities."
