Photos: BTA Team Experience New East End Bus

July 13, 2015

Two new visitor beach bus routes are now operational — connecting beaches and cultural attractions in St. David’s Island and St. George — and today [July 13] a team from the BTA visited the east end to experience the service first hand.

The St. David’s Island route began last week, thanks in part to a financial investment from the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA], with the St. David’s Island route looping between St. George Town Square, Carter House Museum, St. David’s Battery, St. David’s Lighthouse and Clearwater Beach/Gombey’s Bar/Cooper’s Island.

The St. George route – running since mid-May – loops between Penno’s Wharf/Ferry Terminal, St. George Town Square, Unfinished Church, Tobacco Bay Beach, Achilles Bay Beach/Fort St. Catherine/Gates’ Bay Beach, Alexandra Battery Beach, Gates’ Fort and St. George’s Dinghy Club/Just Add Water.

Tickets are $6 per day, purchased at the St. George Visitor Information Centre. The service allows riders to hop on and hop off as many times as they like during the course of the day and they can switch from one bus to the other at no additional cost.

“The team really enjoyed getting the beach bus experience from the visitor’s perspective,” said Pat Phillip-Fairn, chief product and experiences development officer after riding the new bus service.

“We hopped off the bus at Clearwater Beach and we were inside Gombey’s in just a few seconds – just like a visitor might do. This new bus service will literally drive business in the east end.”

“Our beach bus service connects a variety of diverse beach experiences and more than a dozen attractions,” said Belcario Thomas of Beach Boys Ltd., concessionaire at Tobacco Bay.

“We’re grateful to the BTA for providing us with funding and market data to help get the new St. David’s service going. We think we have a service customers want and the kind of service that benefits east end businesses because customers can see more of the east end now and stay in the area longer,” added Mr Thomas.

“A collection of St. George business owners began the St. George beach bus in mid-May,” the BTA said. “After a successful launch of that service, the group applied to the BTA for funding to help launch a St. David’s Island version.

“The Corporation of St. George and Mayor Quinell Francis have been especially supportive of the bus beach service, recognizing its benefit to businesses in St. George.”

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Comments (14)

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  1. Raymond Ray says:

    Absolutely fantastic!!!!

  2. Jeremy Deacon says:

    wooohoooo! Now let’s find a buyer/owner/someone interested in running the Black Horse! Their fish sandwiches gave Art Mel’s a run for their money!

  3. somuchless says:

    I haven’t heard any more about the scoot bikes. Bta what happened? Failed tcd?

  4. Joanna Hassell says:

    Great news to all! Proud of you Adrian job for being part of this.

  5. Joanna Hassell says:

    Great News to all. Proud of you Adrian, for being part of this.:-)

  6. Ruthless says:

    Wouldn’t it be great to give a job to someone to drive a six seater golf cart and transport people from the Coopers Island gate to Long Bay and Soldier Bay. Two of the most beautiful beaches in Bermuda. Just a thought. Would even be good for a college student home for the summer.

  7. Honestly says:

    Great idea! In addition what about transportation to Clearwater area from the entrance of St. David’s? Sick of looking at tourist, who have invested much by coming to BDA, laying on the sidewalk waiting for a bus. I’ve offered rides, many times there are groups of more than 4/5.

    • skinnydipper says:

      Tell them come St Geo down the VIC get their stamp and ride on the beach bus going St David’s

    • Belcario says:

      Good morning Honestly, that challenging walk from the entrance of St David’s to Clearwater is an unfortunate gap in public service. Our St David’s Beach Bus loop does take you from King’s Square then Carter House (near the entrance) then Clearwater/Cooper’s Reserve etc and back. We hope that helps.

  8. Jurist says:

    Wow, that job looks stressfull. No wonder bonuses are given out for such hard work.

  9. PBanks says:

    Looks like a great venture indeed that will be appreciated by visitors and those living in that area.

    Is this set to be just a seasonal offering, or will it run year-round (possibly in more limited quantities)?

    • Belcario says:

      Hello PBanks, based on usage and continued support the St George’s & now St. David’s beach buses would seek to be year-round in more limited capacity. This being its first year, perhaps it will only be seasonal, with intentions of coinciding with the summer ferry schedule, ending Nov 1st 2015. Hopefully residents see value in the service and further enjoy our east end treasures, which will also assist year round viability in efforts to revitalize St. Georges.