Next stop: downtown

The last time a scheduled bus service stopped in Wellington, the meat plant was processing hams by the truckload.

Business associations consider shuttle service to and from provincial park

It is expected that more than 600,000 people will visit Sandbanks provincial park this year. Each summer, their arrival, en masse, provokes a range of predictable responses—from happiness from those eager to provide goods and services, to dismay from those accustomed to unfettered access to parking on the main streets in Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington. Meanwhile, County officials complain that they get too little from the province in lieu of property taxes, and the meagre remuneration falls well short of the the cost of keeping up with the wear and tear visitors inflict upon municipal roads and infrastructure.

However, County business groups are actively pursuing this golden goose and its egg-laying potential. They’ve concluded that if you can’t bring your goods or services to the beach, perhaps you can bring the beachgoers to your downtown.

The business associations in Wellington, Bloomfield and Picton are considering at a shuttle service— bringing park visitors to these three urban centres on a scheduled service. If it gets off the ground, and the signals look positive at the moment, the shuttle service would run on Saturdays— a single bus making scheduled stops in Sandbanks provincial park, Picton, Wellington and Bloomfield.

Many details have yet to be worked out, but the business groups anticipate a free service to users— aimed at bringing visitors to the commercial district.

Evan Nash chairs the Wellington District Business Association. He stresses that this is a pilot initiative, but foresees many positive benefits.

“It sends a positive message,” said Nash, “that the County’s retailers and service providers are open and welcome to visitors.”

He imagines families spending several days together in a tent—looking for a diversion—and perhaps some space. He also sees a shuttle service as a way to ease traffic and parking congestion in the urban cores as visitors opt for the shuttle rather than the family van.

Working to coordinate this initiative is the County’s Community Development department, headed by Neil Carbone. He sees it as a great way to leverage the purchasing power of the thousands of visitors to the park.

“We have had great support from park superintendent Robin Reilly in identifying potential shuttle service stops,” said Carbone. “They are on board.”

His department is working with potential bus service providers, but Carbone emphasizes his team is providing a facilitating role only.

“This is a business association initiative,” said Carbone. “They will provide the funds to support this through their membership or through sponsorship.”

But the potential of such a service isn’t lost on Carbone. If successful, the model may prove useful in tackling the County’s other transit issues.

“We will monitor this model carefully and consider it in the context of any further transit initiatives,” said Carbone. “Of course, if it works, business associations, other groups and residents will be looking beyond the benefits of bringing people to town to spend money.”

He too is hoping to get the pilot project underway—perhaps as soon as July.