A new shuttle service to help cruise ship visitors reach the Island’s beaches is to be launched by the West End Development Corporation (Wedco) and Government.

Starting on August 4, the Mini-Bus Association will provide a door-to-door service between Dockyard and both Horseshoe Bay and Church Bay. The round-trip service will cost $16 and operate between 8am and 3pm, with the final bus leaving Horseshoe Bay at 6pm.

A Wedco representative said: “Wedco is pleased to continue working with the Ministry of Tourism and Transport and private operators using the ground transportation area within the Dockyard Cruise terminal to create a private beach shuttle service.”

A Ministry of Tourism and Transport spokesman said the new service provided opportunities for local entrepreneurs, improved transport options for visitors and reduced the need and reliance for the public buses that have historically provided the service.

The spokesman added that the service was one of several projects aimed at handling the increased number of cruise ship visitors in Dockyard, including the recently introduced traffic and pedestrian system.

“The new system was necessary due to the increased number of passengers following the start of Norwegian Breakaway’s service to Bermuda on May 15, 2013 and it has proven to be very successful providing a safer and more logical system for cruise ship passengers,” he said.

“The new beach shuttle service is part of a series of product improvement initiatives that will be collectively implemented going forward.”