Hop on, hop off in the Swan Valley
- Seven days a week hop on, hop off bus service launches in the Swan Valley
- Set to increase domestic and international visitation to the region, and create new jobs
- Supported by the State Government through Tourism WA
- McGowan Government committed to boosting Swan Valley tourism
Drinking, eating and exploring your way through the Swan Valley wine and tourism region has just got easier with the introduction of the Swan Valley Explorer.
Launched today by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, the new hop on, hop off bus service will operate seven days per week departing from the Guildford train station.
The circle route will take guests along West Swan Road, Great Northern Highway and Reid Highway, allowing them to hop on and hop off at wineries, gourmet food provedores and tourism attractions.
The service will not only cater directly to international and interstate tourists without transport, but also local visitors who want to enjoy a drive free day in the Swan Valley.
The buses will run on a reduced frequency on Monday and Tuesday and will operate every 30 minutes from Wednesday to Sunday, timed to meet with connecting train services at Guildford.
An all-day hop on, hop off ticket will cost:
- Adults - $20;
- Concession or children (under 15 years) - $15; and
- Family (two adults and up to three children) - $50
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.goadams.com.au/swanvalleyexplorer, on-board by EFTPOS and at the Swan Valley Visitors Centre.
City of Swan residents will also be able to purchase an annual pass at the subsidised rate of $60 for the entire year.
The buses are all air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible, and fitted with free Wi-Fi and a new technology called the Eyevert Passenger Engagement System.
The Swan Valley Explorer is amongst the first in the world to install this technology, which will provide information about the region and its attractions in multiple languages direct to each passenger's smartphone by using QR codes.
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"The Swan Valley is one of Western Australia's premier visitor destinations. It is world renowned for its gourmet food and beverages, as well as its nature-based attractions and experiences.
"The introduction of the Swan Valley Explorer will play a key role in attracting interstate and international visitors to the region.
"Visitor attraction remains the State Government's number one tourism priority - everything we are doing is about growing numbers to create jobs, develop business opportunities and diversify the economy.
"I congratulate the City of Swan, Adams Perth and the local business providers for getting behind this new initiative which will help unlock the Swan Valley's tourism potential."
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This is essentially a CAT bus style of service for the Swan Valley tourism region that will connect it with the rest of Perth's public transport network.
"This is yet another reason to visit the Swan Valley - an amazing region which is deceptively close to Perth, increasingly connected to public transport and accessible for cyclists with Principal Shared Paths.
"Attracting more visitors to this region is a high priority for the State Government and it is promising to see innovative businesses get on board with plans to leverage the Swan Valley's tourism potential.
"Additionally, the State Government is working on a revised planning framework that will help protect the Swan Valley as a crucial viticulture and tourism region into the future."
Media contacts:
Tourism Minister's office - 6552 5600
Transport Minister's office - 6552 5500