Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas today invited Indy fans to take a free ride to next week’s blockbuster motor racing event on the Gold Coast.

Mr Lucas joined Lexmark Indy 300 Chairman Terry Mackenroth to announce that all Indy pre-purchased ticket holders would be able to travel free to and from the event on QR Citytrains and Surfside Buslines.

“Last year more than 164,000 people used public transport to get to and from Indy,” Mr Lucas said.

“And this year we want even more people to take advantage of the free ride we’re offering through TransLink.
“This initiative will save people money, make public transport easier and improve traffic flow on the Gold Coast.

“We want to make the whole Indy experience enjoyable for all patrons, and any way we can make public transport easier to catch will go a long way toward achieving that.”

Lexmark Indy 300 ticket holders can travel free-of-charge on any QR Citytrain service to Helensvale or Nerang train stations and on all Surfside Buslines services in the TransLink network.

Indy patrons can also catch a train to Helensvale Station and then a Surfside shuttle bus direct to Main Gate North at the Lexmark Indy 300, while people traveling to Nerang train station can catch Surfside bus route 22 to the Main Gate South.

Mr Lucas said a good option for local Gold Coast patrons was to park at Indy satellite car parks located in either Parklands Showgrounds or Carrara Stadium for $6 and catch a free Surfside shuttle bus to the circuit.

“Patrons coming from the south can park at Carrara Stadium and catch a Surfside Bus directly to Main Gate South, while patrons from the north should park at Parklands Showgrounds with a Surfside shuttle to Main Gate North.”

Lexmark Indy 300 Chairman Terry Mackenroth said it was important for the future growth of the event to streamline the public transport system.

“Moving the hundreds of thousands of people expected to and from the circuit is a massive project requiring support from state and local governments, local authorities, businesses, residents and patrons,” Mackenroth said.

“The more people who take public transport to Indy, the better it will be for everybody.

“We are pleased to work with TransLink in what continues to be one of the biggest initiatives for the Lexmark Indy 300 in recent years.”

The Lexmark Indy 300 will be held on the Gold Coast from October 19 to 22. The Lexmark Indy 300 will be round 13 of the Champ Car World Series, while the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge held at the Lexmark Indy 300 will be round 10 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

For bus and train timetable information visit the TransLink website at www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30.

Tickets for the Lexmark Indy 300 are now on sale through Ticketek on 1300 303 103 or at www.indy.com.au.

Train / Bus to Indy:

Travel on the QR Citytrain network from your home station to Helensvale Station or Nerang Station.

Helensvale station to Main Gate North:
Thu / Fri - Buses will meet all trains from 8.00am - 11.30am.
Sat - Buses will meet all trains from 6.30am - 12.00noon.
Sun - Buses will meet all trains from 7.30am - 12.00noon.

Main Gate North to Helensvale Station:
Shuttle buses will depart daily from 3.00pm until last shuttle at 7.00pm.

Bus to Indy:
Surfside Buslines operate from Coolangatta to Southport, 24 hours per day. There are Bus Stops near both Main North Gate (located at the corner of Breaker Street and Tedder Avenue, Main Beach) and Main South Gate (located at the corner of the Esplanade and Hanlan Street, Surfers Paradise). At the end of the Event, buses heading south to Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta will operate from the Bus Stop on the Gold Coast Highway, Main Beach (near Main North Gate).

Park / Bus to Indy:
From the North, parking is available at Parklands Showgrounds on Smith Street, Southport. A 1-day pass is $6, and a 4-day pass is $20. From there, catch a free Surfside Bus direct to Main Gate North. Shuttle buses depart regularly from Parklands from Thursday October 20.

From the South, parking is available at Carrara Stadium on Broadbeach/Nerang Road. A 1-day pass is $6, and a 4-day pass is $20. From there, catch a free Surfside Bus direct to Main Gate South.

Parklands Showgrounds to Main Gate North:
Thu / Fri - Bus services will depart regularly from 6.00am - 3.00pm.
Sat / Sun - Bus services will depart regularly from 6.00am - 3.00pm.

Carrara Stadium to Main Gate South:
Thur / Fri - Bus services will depart regularly from 6.00am - 3.00pm.
Sat / Sun - Bus services will depart regularly from 6.00am - 3.00pm.

Main Gate North to Parklands Showgrounds:
Shuttle buses will depart daily from 3.00pm until last shuttle at 7.00pm.
Main Gate South to Carrara Stadium:
Shuttle buses will depart daily from 3.00pm until last shuttle at 7.00pm.