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Liverpool's free bus connecting dock to city enters fifth year

Liverpool's free bus connecting dock to city enters fifth year
Liverpool’s Cruise Terminal at Albert Dock has partnered with Liverpool ONE, Liverpool Cathedral, City Central BID, Commercial BID District and, new for this year, Marketing Liverpool to provide a direct bus link into the city centre for visiting cruise passengers.

With a five-figure investment, the Cruise Connector bus is a privately funded initiative to give cruise tourists a warm Liverpool welcome. Now in its fifth year, passengers are greeted as they board by a group of the volunteers, providing maps and guides of the city, information on landmarks en-route and recommendations on what to see and visit.

The Cruise Connector bus provides a regular free service transporting passengers to some of Liverpool’s main public areas, including Albert Dock, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool ONE, the Town Hall and Commercial District, and Central Station.

Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, said: ‘Not many cities have the advantage of cruise ships docking right at their heart, so it’s important we maximize the opportunity and connect some of the city’s key sites in the easiest way possible. The specially-designed Cruise Connector bus is the perfect vehicle to make exploring the city simple, and encourage return visits in the future.

‘As well as creating a good lasting impression, it has an important immediate role too. The cruise industry plays a huge role in the city’s visitor economy, and it is growing each year. Cruise passengers tend to have significant spending potential, and guiding them through the city makes it much more likely they will spend here rather than in other ports of call,’ Brown added.

Bill Addy, City Central BID, commented, ‘Cruise passengers are a vital part of our summer economy and a free bus service is a great way to showcase what the city centre has to offer.

Around 50 cruise ships and 70,000 passengers are expected to visit Liverpool in 2014.