Sandbanks shuttle Saturdays
Administrator | Jul 02, 2015 | Comments 6
Business associations of Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington have partnered to offer shuttle bus service from Sandbanks Provincial Park to local downtowns.
The Sandbanks Summer Shuttle Service pilot initiative is supported by the County’s Community Development Department and Sandbanks Provincial Park.
Neil Carbone, Director of Community Development, calls the pilot a great example of community partnerships that will provide benefits to both downtown businesses and tourists to the area.
The shuttle is to operate Saturdays through the summer, from July 4 until Sept. 5 with an aim to bringing park visitors into the downtown cores to shop, eat and participate in events, without the hassle wait times, parking or navigating The County on their own.
The shuttle service will pick up guests from four designated stops within the park and drop them off at stops in Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington. The bus is to run on a continuous loop throughout the day, offering pickup/drop-off service every 2 hours, between 9am – 5pm.
Sandbanks Provincial Park welcomes 600,000 visitors each year.
“We are thrilled to pilot the summer shuttle service and hope that it will encourage more campers to visit Picton for a day, rather than just passing through on their way in and out of the County,” said Lyndsay Richmond, Manager – Picton Business Improvement Association.
“We can’t wait to see the results of the bus initiative and know that campers will enjoy experiencing all Bloomfield has to offer with the convenience of a shuttle service,” said Patricia McDermott, Chair, Bloomfield and Area Business Improvement Association.
“The shuttle bus is a great way for campers to visit Wellington without having to worry about transportation and will help reduce parking congestion in our downtown core,” said Evan Nash, chair, Wellington District Business Association.
Filed Under: Local News
The residents? Who cares about them? We’re dedicated to making sure those tourists have a good time. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a free shuttle for some of the seniors who might like to spend to spend a couple of hours and a little money on Main Street. Or a free shuttle for residents who have no transportation to the beach on hot summer days. There are probably lots of locals who would enjoy a few hours at the Sandbanks if only they had a way to get there and back.
Are you allowed to take bicycles on the shuttle?
I too would be interested to know whether this service is available to County residents. County FM (Mihal Zaha) reported this week it was for visitors. That news report was not clear, and it would have been helpful to clarify rather than have us assume. If this service is only available to visitors (ie campers), how will that be monitored? Will the visitors have to prove they are only visiting? If it gives the chance for visitors to spend a few hours (and a few bucks) in our villages and towns, why can’t residents spend a few hours at one of our country’s treasures? I appreciate that tourists are important, but so are residents/locals. Overall this service is a very good idea even if residents are not part of the equation.
Can locals use it? Or is it just for city folk who are already used to having access to public transportation?
Sounds like a good idea!!!
Great idea!! Wish you success