Open-top bus to provide tours around Lincoln again
An open-top tour bus will operate in Lincoln again from Easter, it has been revealed.
Lincoln BIG has teamed-up with bus company Stagecoach and the Visit Lincoln Partnership to reinstate the service, which last operated in 2004.
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The open top bus in Lincoln which was withdrawn at the end of 2004
The search is now on for potential tour guides to work on the bus.
Lincoln BIG chief executive Matt Corrigan said: "We are delighted to be partnering Stagecoach in this initiative. "The original service was popular, but it had to be withdrawn at the end of 2004 because the Stagecoach vehicle used at that time needed replacing and there were other financial issues which made it difficult to continue.
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"However, 2012 is a big year in terms of local events and attractions, including those which will reflect national Olympics Games, Royal Diamond Jubilee and celebrations, and we believe the tour bus will complement these."
The open-top tour bus will operate on weekends between Easter and October.
It will operate throughout the week, during July and August.
"We still have to finalise the exact route for the tour bus, but it will take in the most vibrant and interesting areas of the city and attractions, including Lincoln Cathedral, Bailgate, the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, the castle, The Lawn, High Street, Brayford and the St Mark's areas," said Mr Corrigan.
Lincoln's Visitor Information Centre manager Michele Sims said: "The return of this service has created an exciting opportunity for people who would love to be city tour bus guides.
"We are now looking for entertaining, knowledgeable and professional guides, but they have to be available during the operation of the bus, on Saturdays and Sundays from April to October and all week during July and August, plus occasional hire and private tours.
"They must also be prepared to work as a part of a team on a rota basis and also be flexible enough to guide for special events and private bookings too.
"We are also looking for interesting anecdotes for the bus commentary and if anyone has ideas about stories or quirky facts about colourful people from Lincoln's past, we would love to hear from them."
Nigel Burn, a tour guide at Lincoln Castle, said he was delighted to hear about the new services.
"I always thought that these open-top buses were excellent," he said.
"They take visitors around Lincoln and even Lincolnians will take these bus trips on days out."
Comments
by TB789
Sunday, February 05 2012, 2:30PM
“It could take in the cathedral, the castle and of course Lincoln's greatest historical building...
The Ritz!
Oh, sorry, meant hysterical.”
by S_Morrissey
Saturday, February 04 2012, 8:56PM
“Well at least that's one bus the Council can't cut...”
by saddletramp2
Saturday, February 04 2012, 7:21PM
“The question if a small bus operator can afford to take the risk depends on if the question was asked of the small operators in the our set oyu never know unless you ask.”
by camelherder
Friday, February 03 2012, 10:24PM
“Now here is a novel idea what about giving this service the chance. It states in the article that the last bus was withdrawn from service some 7 years ago. Perhaps Stagecoach, being the large company they are, can afford to absorb the operation of this bus into the normal day to day running of Stagecoach. Could a company such as PC Coaches afford to take the risk? They are after all already involved in the day to day running of the Walk and Ride bus.
As it has been a while since a tour bus has operated within Lincoln so to put on a service during the warmer months is a good place to start. Information gained from this period will give an indication of whether a year round bus would be viable.
The bus will not only be touring Lincoln but will be available for private bookings perhaps with a Jazz band. As for the laughter, well the guides are going to have to have a sense of humour, it's part of the recruitment requirements.”
by Slippit
Friday, February 03 2012, 2:22PM
“Wouldn't it be something if it went round Lincoln with an old fashioned jazz band playing on top,and people singing and laughing.That's what Lincoln needs,more fun and laughter.”
by TB789
Friday, February 03 2012, 1:49PM
“A rickshaw would have probably met the demand.”
by Phil1W
Friday, February 03 2012, 1:26PM
“For the small amount of time that this vehicle will be running I wouldn't be surprised to see a Skegness liveried opentopper being used on this service. I don't know why they don't run it daily throughout the year if they want tourism to be a full time thing. It is possible to put a bus roof back on for colder times of year. If it was marketed properly it could be intergrated with local services as well.”
by saddletramp2
Thursday, February 02 2012, 7:12PM
“It's would been even better if smaller bus operators had a chance of some business instead of the big company's all the time.”
by camelherder
Thursday, February 02 2012, 3:29PM
“bigyellabelly - must admit that i agree with you the bus in the photo doen't give off a WOW welcome to Lincoln feel at all. Having said that the bus in the photo is a Road Car bus and not the new Stagecoach bus.”
by bigyellabelly
Thursday, February 02 2012, 2:33PM
“Lets us hope it has the Wow! factor the old one didn't.”