Hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful are expected to descend on Sydney in the week beginning 15 July 2008. During the week Sydney’s transport system will be stretched to the limit and many roads will be closed or diverted to make way for the pilgrims.

Many of the visitors will be arriving in groups and Sydney’s private bus rental companies have been inundated with calls and emails. The visitors are enquiring about all types of group transport from 12 seater commuter minibuses to 44 seater coaches.

“We have been booked out for that week for months now” says Tony Potter from Southern Minibus Hire in Sydney www.southernminibus.com.au “It is a great week for us but we also have regular clients that we have to look after during that week. We also rent minibuses to university groups, corporates and sporting clubs. For them it will be business as usual and they need vehicles too. We will be providing as many minibuses as possible to the World Youth Day visitors. It’s going to be tight though.”

Most of the international visitors are also expecting to see the sights of Sydney either side of the official church events. “We want to see the Blue Mountains and Sydney Harbour” says Tracey Somerville who is coming to Sydney from Louisville, KY “There are 12 of us and fortunately we have already hired a minibus with a driver to take us around. I can’t wait!”

www.southernminibus.com.au