howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
spotted it today, not sure if it has been operating for long.
it stated the castle,towncentre and the cruise ships, does anyone know the full itinerary?
incidentally, horace was out in force near the fountain as his normal pitch was taken by the earthworks people.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
If it was the green one it only operates when cruise liners do a port of call.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
and there was one in today.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
there was a green one closely followed by a beige one.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
and a red one followed by a pink one.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,018
Did any have pink spots or elphants
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
sue,just for yes and they were noisy might get a complaint about the noise from dolfin house soon.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
That's not a proper tour bus, but one that only operates on cruise-ship days. It goes from the cruise terminal, to the Market Square, then up to the Castle, Market Square and round again.
What we need is a proper tour bus that goes to ALL the historic sites and attractions where a visit by the bus, can benefit the site it stops by, for example:
Market Square (for the Museum & Bronze-Age Boat and the Roman Painted House), White Cliffs Boat Tours, Seafront, Dover Castle, Langdon Cliffs, Ramada Hotel, Dover Transport Museum, Crabble Corn Mill, Market Square and round again.
On cruise-ship days, start off at the cruise terminals.
This may need 2 buses, but I haven't timed the journey, but ideally it should take around an hour, but in order for it to benefit all the above sites, stopping at their sites should be a priority. It should be for their benefit as well as the visitors, otherwise it's pointless.
I do fear though that a bad route will be chosen.
Roger
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
and dont forget the good old western hieghts the hidden under used jewel in dover.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Yes Im with Roger there on that...it would be great to have a tour bus back doing the route suggested. I once took the visiting family on a bus tour on the original bus to show where I was living now kind of thing, and we all alighted at the stop at the Cliffs and had a picnic. it was great so it was. Still remember it well, and they all loved the bus.
However lets face the cold reality for a moment...would it pay? if so wouldnt market forces have supplied us with one already??
Brian the old tour bus, the one I refer to above used to go round the Western Heights. I didnt know any of the places myself at the time so it was a great way of finding things out.
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
I saw the cruise tour bus on wednesday morning with only two passengers on it. It was the green one and it looked old and somewhat dilapidated. I couldn't help but wonder 'Why, Oh Why' wasn't it all glossy and shiney, perhaps painted bright red and inviting. It was certainly a very sad sight and did Dover no favours, even the two people on board looked glum, can't say I blame them with the state of the bus.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Although I haven't seen the bus recently, I do agree with Colette, the bus must be clean (inside and out) and bright.
Maybe the places it goes to, could have images/pictures of them on the bus; certainly be a must when there's a "proper" tour bus running.
I agree that the Western Heights have some great history on them and some great views, but there's no one (business-wise) that can benefit from going there, so I would leave that out of the route - and any other "stop" that doesn't benefit any of the historic sites - they need visitors.
Roger
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Why leave the Western Heights off because there are no business there? There is more to Dover than just businesses, some tourists and locals alike just like stunning views, fresh air and historical ruins. I've met American tourists in Fan Bay, they just loved it and stated that they wanted to get out of the town and see the cliffs. All good PR even if there is no cafe to greet them.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Phil is right, a great place for a picnic, best views of the castle, amazing heritage, lots of wildlife - a hidden gem, few people are not impressed
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
It would be good to have a Dover tour bus but obviously running costs need to be subsidised, with a minimal cost to the passengers, obviously we could not charge anywhere near the London tourist bus fares. As you rightly say Phil many tourists that I have met in town just want to get up to the White Cliffs.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
pb
i have lost count of the number of visitors that have stopped me to ask which bus to get to see the white cliffs.
it is hard to explain that there isn't one.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Yes it is extraordinary that there isnt even a shuttle service to and from the famous White Cliffs of Dover...wouldnt it be nice to have a cafe too at the end of the shuttle. I know there is one in the 'nature reserve' but not sure if a bus could get in there. Yes Ive been asked too by tourists how to get to the famous Cliffs...its a real headscratcher coming up with an answer to that one.
But the day is saved...and Im reluctant to mention the next line..
yes the day is saved (or will be) by the cable car !!
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
The tour bus when it was running was good but i have to say was very limited on the number of people using it.
Not sure why that was as it took people to many diffrent parts of Dovers history, and well worth the small amount for the fare and you could hop on and off.
Suppose in todays society it has to pay or it don't happen, very difficult then to attract people to Dover
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
The reason Phil and Paul (Scotchie), is pure and simple - cost.
I agree that the Western Heights are wonderful places to visit, so is Samphire Hoe and the South Foreland Light-House and the walk there (and back), but no one is suggesting that these are on the route of the tourist bus.
The current thinking is not to include Crabble Corn Mill or the Transport Museum because it would mean that the schedule would go over the desired one hour timetable.
I believe Crabble Corn Mill and the Transport Museum SHOULD be included in the itinerary, so if this was to be the case, then something has to give.
The cost of running two buses would probably be prohibitive - it may be prohibitive for one bus, we'll have to wait and see.
Roger
