Bournemouth comeback for open-top coastal bus tour (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bournemouth comeback for open-top coastal bus tour

8:50am Tuesday 4th May 2010 in

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AFTER transporting day-trippers and holidaymakers along the coast for more than four decades, Bournemouth’s famous open-top bus service is set to make a welcome return.

On May 22 Discover Dorset will launch a new coastal service from Bournemouth Pier to Hengistbury Head.

Stopping off at Boscombe Pier, the route will include Tuckton tea gardens where a combination ticket will enable passengers to take a boat trip to Mudeford beach.

Passengers will be kept informed with a running commentary on the town’s history.

There was a public outcry when Transdev Yellow Buses announced that it would not be running the loss-making number 12 service last summer.

The company blamed the decision on poor passenger numbers and the need to concentrate on its core services across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Three years earlier TYB issued a “use it or lose it” plea to open-top bus service fans after plans to axe the service sparked protests from outraged users.

Seafront 12 had taken passengers on a scenic coastal route via Sandbanks, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Hengistbury Head using four buses painted in traditional Bournemouth Corporation plum and custard livery, dating back to the 1980s.

The new service will complement the number 50 coastal service which runs from Bournemouth to Swanage via Sandbanks, operated by Wilts and Dorset.

Scenes from Cliff Richard’s iconic film Summer Holiday were re-enacted as Bournemouth celebrated the return of the coastal bus service.

Cast members from That’ll Be the Day hopped on board outside the Pavilion theatre for a pre-launch tour.

Show director Trevor Payne said: “This brings back great memories and is fantastic for Bournemouth.”

Bournemouth tourism spokesman Jon Weaver said: “It’s great to see this much-loved bus service running once more. I’m sure it will prove popular with visitors and residents alike.”

The service will run seven days a week until September 26, from 10am until 6pm.