Margaret River beach bus trial begins from town to coast

A new beach bus trial launched last week has received vocal support from locals keen to see more options for transport to the coast.

The trial, currently funded until late January thanks to donations from the Margaret River Lions, local businesses and individuals in the community, offers a 7 day a week round-trip between Margaret River town and Gnarabup Beach.

For $5 per person, passengers can board the bus on Charles West Avenue on the hour between 8am and 1pm, arriving at the White Elephant Cafe carpark in Gnarabup.

The bus then departs the coast and heads back to Margaret River town on the half hour.

The community campaign was developed by local business owner and secretary of the Margaret River Business Network, Melissa Rose D’Ath.

“I am delighted that we have been able to trial the bus service this year,” she told the Mail this week, noting a tight window of opportunity to measure the effectiveness of the service.

“The $5000 donation from the Margaret River Lions and generosity of our community and local small businesses we have enough funding to operate for at least two weeks.”

Ms D’Ath said a GoFundMe to support the bus was still open and urged residents to donate, and complete a survey to help refine the service.

“Every donation means we can extend the service a little longer. My aim is to see it continue until the end of VAC Swim, 25th of January.

“Even if you don’t use the service you can complete the survey that will help us shape further services and apply for funding.”

South West Taxis’ Craig Smith-Gander AM said the company chose to back the trial for several reasons.

“As the only public transport offering in Margaret River we believe we have a responsibility to provide as many options as possible to the community, not just our taxis.

“We see that small Coaster style buses, if supported by the community, can provide a viable alternative to driving yourself – whether it is to the beach or to town for a night out.”

He said parking pressures at peak times of the year, and parents needing to ferry their children to the beach, could be solved if locals got behind the bus service.

“And the less cars on the road the less pressure on roads, the less pollution in the atmosphere and the less stress for those that need to drive themselves.”

Mr Smith-Gander said drivers were also being recruited for a Friday and Saturday night service between town, Prevelly and Gnarabup as an alternative to taxis.

“At an affordable $10 per person on a regular scheduled hourly turn around, we believe that this will be a service that the community and visitors alike will wish to use, and it will free up our taxis to undertake more work about town.”

South West Taxis has also taken delivery of a Wheel Chair Assist taxi at a cost of over $100,000.

“We are serious about our commitment to the region and – with a few more local drivers – look forward to providing a community public transport service well into the future.”

With the beach bus trial currently limited to two weeks, future funding is being sought from the AMR Shire, as well as other potential stakeholders.

“The goal is find a way to fund it to operate every summer,” Ms D’Ath said.

To find out more, visit gofund.me/3031b8b2