RELOCATION of Millicent’s bus freight and passenger depot to the town’s visitor information centre has been well received, according to Wattle Range Council.
Council tourism events manager Tamara North said the number of people using the service had been consistent since it was relocated in August last year.
“Since the start of this year we have had over 100 people stop by Millicent’s Visitor Information Centre to use the Premier Stateline bus,” she said.
“November and December were much the same.
“Meanwhile, 75 people used the service in October, which only started at the centre in August after it was moved from the Pines Service station.”
Council worked with Premier Stateline bus company, which operates the Adelaide to Mount Gambier route, throughout the relocation process.
The decision followed the closure of the Pines Service station, Mount Gambier Road.
Ms North said information centre staff regularly fielded enquiries regarding the bus service.
“I would say we have about one person in a day enquire about when the bus is going,” she said.
“Either that or they are getting a timetable or buying a ticket.
“It’s going really well and it is a lot easier for people – who do not have transport – to get on the bus.
“While a lot of people liked heading out of town to the depot it was hard for those who got dropped off, had not been to the town before and did not know how to get to the taxis or where to go.
“Getting dropped out of town, especially at 9.30pm was pretty scary for some people.”
Ms North said the depot has contributed to keeping the tourism figures steady and on track this summer holiday season.
“This is the first year we have had the depot here for summer and it has been crazy,” she said.
“It means the people who would normally not stop into the centre – like the locals- are now coming in.
“These are people who do not necessarily need to know what the tourist centre is and what tourist attractions we have in the town or the region.
“Now they are coming in and checking out all the local produce we actually have.
“They would not have done that before because the centre is there and they think it is just for tourists, but it’s not.”
