New Cradle Mountain shuttle buses hit road

Peter Gutwein,Minister for the Environment, Parks and Heritage

Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s iconic visitor destinations and a major visitor draw card driving demand in the North West.

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to transforming Cradle Mountain into a truly world-class experience for locals and visitors who come to see it from around the world.

The shuttle bus service at Cradle Mountain was introduced in response to increasing traffic on the Dove Lake Road resulting from growing visitation and to improve safety on the road.

Today, Tasmania’s own McDermott’s Coaches, launched four Volvo B5L diesel-electric hybrid buses as part of their renewed Cradle Discoverer contract to transport passengers between the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Dove Lake.

This is the first time such an environmentally friendly mode of transport has been deployed to access a National Park in Australia.

Underscoring the significance of today’s launch, Hakan Agnevall, President Volvo Bus Corporation, travelled from Sweden to help launch the new buses which will operate in this iconic part of our Island.

The new buses will feature full low floors for easy access and wheelchair accessibility and have been designed to ensure visitors can get a full appreciation of the stunning environment on their journey.

The Cradle Mountain shuttle bus service currently transports approximately 95 per cent of park visitors. The service is very effective in reducing traffic congestion provides safe, reliable and comfortable travel for visitors from the Visitor Centre to Dove Lake.

I am delighted that McDermott’s Coaches, who have run the service since its commencement and who are to be commended on their service delivery record, will continue their stewardship of this important piece of our Cradle Mountain Visitor Experience.

The Tasmanian way of life is the envy of the world, being able to easily access our national parks and experience all they have to offer is part what makes our lifestyle so special.

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