Long running Douglas bus transfer service up for sale
TRANSPORT BUSINESS
A Port Douglas based bus transfer service which has carried tens of thousands of passengers to and from Douglas and Cairns and within the local area over nearly four decades is for sale.
Owner Rob West has decided to retire from his 39-year-old BTS PortDouglasBus service.
BTS has not re-started timetabled services between Cairns, tourism attractions and Port Douglas since Mr West suspended services during the COVID pandemic.
But the business, which has four 20-seater buses, has continued to operate group and contracted transfers.
“I have not commenced our timetabled services between Cairns, Mossman Gorge, Hartley’s and Port Douglas due to the seven day a week commitment required to operate a professional, reliable transport service that meets the standard required to honour the reputation of the Port Douglas tourism industry,” Mr West said.
“As I reached retirement age during the COVID period, I have now decided, along with the encouragement of my family, to sell the business after 39 years operating in Port Douglas.”
Included in the sale is BTS’s fully automated website that can except payment and confirm bookings online, up to departure time, from all tourism accommodation in Port Douglas, Cairns and the Northern Beaches.
There’s also marketing material, and Daintree rainforest and Mossman Gorge permits.
Mr West said all four buses “are currently operational.”
Port Douglas public transport advocate David Haratsis, who has been campaigning for a regular public bus service in the area, said BTS being on the market might present an ideal opportunity for the state government and its local member, Cythia Lui, to get on board.
“With respect to taxpayer money, the Queensland government recorded a $4.3billion surplus this year,” Mr Haratsis said.
“That is, it has taken more money from taxpayers that it required to meet its financial obligations to them.
“Will the government put aside the relatively small amount of money required to purchase the BTS Group assets and business, currently for sale, allowing at least a local bus service trial to commence immediately?
“Everything is in place: timetabling, ticketing, GPS tracking. All it needs is an owner. Will you (Cynthia Lui) step in and represent your community?”
Mr West has urged anyone interested in the purchase of BTS to email him at [email protected]
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