Open Top Bus Service Withdrawn
Heritage open top bus service to cease 10th September 2017
The open top bus tour service operating between Beer, Colyton, Seaton, Lyme Regis and Charmouth is to be withdrawn from 10th September due to hostility from a small minority of local residents towards their staff.
The service which has carried in excess of 20000 passengers this year, bringing a much needed boost to the local economy will cease operating after the end of service on Sunday 10th September. Owner Derek Gawn has taken the decision after he and his staff have been subject to tirades from a few local residents in the Seaton and Colyton area. All of the companys part time workforce of 25 will be laid off.
Sadly a couple of residents of the flats overlooking The Underfleet bus and coach park in Seaton have taken to shouting at the drivers for parking our buses in the bus park, as they dont want them outside their flat. All engines are shut down once parked. The bus park is provided by East Devon District Council for buses and coaches to use on a pay and display based ticketing arrangement. It isnt for the bus drivers to be shouted at by residents who dont welcome the facility. Not a particularly good welcome for the much needed tourists bringing their spending to the town. We no longer wish to subject our staff to such behavior from a small minority of locals.
We have also experienced people deliberately parking their cars badly on the approach to our depot at Colyton Station in an attempt to make access difficult. The poor parking would also obstruct emergency vehicles attempting to access the tramway, nearby houses and the adjacent business units. The same resident who is parking badly, has previously told Derek that he doesnt believe there is a place for open top bus tours in this part of the country.
Owner Derek Gawn has said I have finally made my mind up about the Mule, and the final nails were not mechanical issues or the weather. Its the continual whining of a few in Seaton and Colyton. I do realise that 99% of people do support us, but I can no longer cope with the 1%.
Many of the passengers using our service originate from the holiday parks around Lyme Regis and Charmouth using the service to enjoy the local scenery and hopping on and off all day visiting local attractions along the route as well as local shops, restaurants and bars. Our tickets allow unlimited all day travel, which unlike a traditional bus ticket means passengers can hop on and off along the full route for one flat fare.
Wed like to thank all of our supporters across the route, who have made us welcome and accept a very small minority has brought this decision to withdraw our service. We apologise to all of our supporters and passengers for the sudden withdrawal of service.
As a thank you after 1:50pm on Sunday 10th September, we will not be charging our standard fare, and simply ask for a minimum £5 donation per person which we will be donating to the RNLI. Hopefully we can see as many of our supporters as possible for the last few hours of service and helping a good cause at the same time.
The operator which has a fleet of heritage open top buses with an average age of 39 years has operated since 2015 along the Jurassic Coast with no miles missed in 2017 for mechanical reasons, and despite being full open top buses have only cancelled 3 days due to bad weather. The exemplary service provided by the operator can be seen by their perfect 5 star review rating on Facebook, as well as a Trip Advisor score of 5.0 out of 5.