Beach bus to return to Margaret River in new year

A bus service helping people get to the beach from Margaret River is set to return in 2026.

The free daily service, which will start on January 1 and operate throughout the month, will run from the centre of Margaret River to Gnarabup Beach.

It will leave Charles West Avenue hourly from 8am to 1pm and take beachgoers to White Elephant Cafe.

The bus will then depart from the cafe hourly starting at 8.30am.

To accommodate families attending VacSwim, the final bus will leave at 1.30pm.

It will be provided by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River alongside South West Taxis.

Shire president Julia Jean-Rice said the council was pleased to support the initiative again after a survey showed it had strong support from the community.

“The beach bus was really popular among our community, with 95.8 per cent of users stating they were a resident,” she said.

“Survey respondents also told us that the service helped reduce parking and traffic stress, provided independence for teenagers and access for those without a car, and helped reduce emissions.”

The survey showed people wanted more stops added.

Ms Jean-Rice said the service would form part of a long-term strategy to secure permanent public transport.

She said the Public Transport Authority was currently undertaking a feasibility study in public transport services in the shire and said passenger numbers from the beach bus would help inform its decision.

“If the Minister for Transport endorses the implementation of a public transport service within the shire, we anticipate that coastal routes will be incorporated,” she said.