FREE EXPRESS BUSES TO MAITLAND TOYOTA SURFEST FINALS ON MARCH 17 & 18

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 13 March, 2007 : - - ORGANISERS of the Maitland Toyota Surfest are pleading with visitors to the surfing contest site to forget the fuss and use the free express  bus to get to Merewether for this weekend's finals' action. Free express buses, displaying the number 999,  will be running from Scott Street opposite Newcastle train station to Merewether Beach for the all the finals' action this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Without drops or pick ups en route, the journey to the 4 Star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event will be quicker than the walk and easier than finding a spot to park the car. Record crowds of more than 10,000 are expected to converge on the Merewether shores on Sunday to check out some of the world's best surfers contesting the finals of the mens' $US75,000 Maitland Toyota Open.
 
A large crowd is also expected on the Saturday to witness the Mark Richards Teams Challenge and the final of the womens' 5 star Midori Pro . The inaugural Midori Pro has attracted 11 competitors from the world's elite World Championship Tour.

Locals and visitors are encouraged to utilise the express bus service running every 20 minutes between 8am and 5pm. Last year on the Sunday, some spectators returned to their vehicles to find infringement notices under the windscreen. Other than the finals' weekend, Merewether Beach is also serviced by the regular route 201 bus which runs on an hourly basis from Newcastle train station.