Bunbury introduces free shuttle bus service for cruise ship passengers
Cruise ship passengers on a stopover in Bunbury will now find it more tempting to explore the city thanks to the introduction of a free shuttle bus service.
The complimentary loop service has been organised by the Bunbury Cruise Ship Committee and will be available to transport passengers from the wharf to the Bunbury Visitor Centre.
It has been made possible through funding from the South West Development Commission, City of Bunbury, Bunbury Port Authority and Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
Bunbury Cruise Ship Committee chairman Jon Birch said the first bus run will take place on November 3 when the Sun Princess ties up at the outer harbour.
“This initiative will bring Bunbury into line with the services some other ports are providing,” he said.
“For those cruise ships willing to participate, passengers will be dropped off in Bunbury’s retail heart and provided with a free map specially designed to pinpoint services and tourist attractions.”
The visit by the Sun Princess is part of a bumper cruise ship season in Australia, with the nation’s largest cruise ship operator, Carnival Australia, announcing that a record 190,000 passengers will sail on its ships during the next six months. The figure is up 13 per cent on last year’s season and almost double the number of passengers carried by Carnival Australia five years ago.
Ann Sherry, chief executive officer of Carnival Australia, praised efforts by the Bunbury Cruise Ship Committee and local organisations to introduce services that will improve the experience of cruise ship passengers.
"Bunbury is a fantastic city and a really popular destination with our passengers. It's great to see the people of Bunbury support cruise ship visits with initiatives such as a free shuttle bus and local volunteers,” she said.
“Every cruise ship visit brings economic benefits to the city and I commend Bunbury for providing such a warm reception as it leaves a lasting impression of Bunbury in the minds of our passengers and is yet another reason to make a return visit."
A number of cruise ships are scheduled to sail into Bunbury this season, including luxury floating residence The World in 2010.
The parade of ships through the port will include:
November 3 – Sun Princess
November 4 – Rhapsody of the Seas
November 24 – Dawn Princess
December 15 – Pacific Sun
January 18 – The World
February 17 – Athena
February 25 – Pacific Sun
March 16 – Rhapsody of the Seas